Open Letter - 3

Dear Society,

How are you? I am doing well and hope it is the same with you. Last night I had a dream and I would like to share it with you. I might restrain from sharing it with you currently, but it would definitely reach you from any individual I happen to narrate my dream to. So, here is what I dreamt about.

It was a dark room with strong white lights. I was in tremendous pain and surrounded by uniformed women. It took me a moment to realise that I was in the labour room. No sooner did realisation dawn upon me than I blanked out.

It was a while before I regained consciousness. I found myself in a ward room with a cradle beside me. I vaguely remember being shown my child before I blanked out; those close fists and pursed lips damp with the freshness of new life.

What caught my eyes before anything else was however, the sullen atmosphere in the room. There was no celebration and no trace of smiling faces around. I could not recognise the people around me but whoever it was they weren’t visibly happy. I felt tensed and worried about my baby. I gently nudged the cradle beside me half expecting to hear a wail that, thank God, has come true. Contrary to the gloom that blanketed the room, my baby was alive and awake.

I looked back at those sullen faces for an explanation and then came the response in muffled voice, “Next time, you shall have a son”.

I was bewildered at that statement and before I could find words to counter my gloomy audience, I woke out of my dream.

Dear society, what do you make out of my dream?

Do you think I shall give birth to a girl?

If yes, will I really be surrounded by such sullen expressions and disappointed sighs?

I see no reason for sorrow at the birth of a girl and absolutely no reason for illogical pride at the birth of a boy. But why are majority of our girls welcomed into the world with tears and regret?

If girls are an unnecessary burden to your well-being, then why haven’t they left you like tails left humans? Why are they still lingering around this unwanted space filled with patriarchal supremacy?

Mark my words, one day they shall leave you; all the mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and wives shall leave you to build a world free of prejudice and stereotypes. But where can such a world exist away from their daughters, mothers, sisters, friends and partners? Because you are both male and female; you are both culprit and victim; you are both harasser and harassed; you are two faced and so are your subjects.

Your conservative mothers are yesterday’s silent sufferers of myths and superstitions. When you are made up of men and women alike, what an irony it is that you still prejudice against women!

Dear society, I am confused with your state of mind and stand towards women. If you find some time, as I know you always will, please try to think over my concerns and come to a possible conclusion regarding the need for disappointed tears at the birth of a girl.

I do not mind the gender of my child, but if it is going to be a girl, I do not want you mopping in the room with your sunken eyes and prejudiced suggestions.

Thank you for patiently paying heed to the words of a woman,

Your truly,

An Expecting Mother.