A queen getting throned in a kitchen

By: Benus Thangjam
A person with the prettiest smile hides the deepest secrets. Sitting in front of my study table trying to study, suddenly a word echoed in my ear. Whenever I try to forget that worst moment, it becomes my reminder. Being a woman in a society dominated by a male is like a deer surrounded by lions on all its sides. As it says “Mangdasu lang tungdasu ten.” The education of the society always teaches her that she is a woman who is to build the family not to follow the dream. They teach her that she can rule like a queen inside the room, bounded by four sides’ i.e. the kitchen. If a woman comes home late, even the members of her own family will start criticizing her. When she makes a mistake everyone will laugh and mock her without knowing the truth and problem which she suffered. Even when she simply talks with her male friends, everyone will think that they have affairs.
As many women stand up and raise their voice against patriarchy society. The mindset still remains the same that came long before. Women look down upon women. They still find mistakes instead of supporting themselves.
Being a girl who wants to grow up independently without many restrictions is like committing a crime. Since my childhood, I have wanted to be a girl who can stand by herself without depending on others. So, I followed my heart and did everything with the words of the person which I saw when I’m standing in front of the mirror. But society always gives me a negative response. Following my dream and ignoring the negative voice of the narrow minded society really gives me stress and depression. And it has become one of the weaknesses. To hide my weakness, I put a big smile as a mask.
Being a part of the society, I sometimes demotivate myself. Whenever my time is hard there is only one person I talk to, who is seen when I stand in front of the mirror. She is the only one who teaches me to believe in myself no matter what. She made me realize that I have a responsibility to make my parents proud of me. They are the only people in this world who care for me.
Getting a lot of bad comments from society and knowing who I am, my enemy becomes my best friend. I realize that they are the ones who made me understand who I am? And it teaches me a big lesson that we should not follow other opinions and should always believe in ourselves. It teaches me that no matter what people will always criticize you and always try to let you down. But the only means to overcome and stand by yourself is by being nice to yourself and always wearing a smile.
The greatest people who we wish for “never give up” on other opinions, they follow what their heart says. They always put on a big smile even in their worst time. From them I learnt that the only thing which everyone desires in their life is following their way their heart says.
So, instead of comparing with others perfection, always follow what the heart says. As their saying goes “People treat you the way you treat yourself.”
(The writer is a class 12 student of Emmanuel English Academy, Yaingangpokpi, Imphal East.)