Chained

The sky was clear, with the morning rays falling softly on her bed. Ranjani laid there looking at the ceiling. Series of thoughts were flowing through her mind, thoughts she could never explain. She envied her friends, who felt sorry for her. Although, she knew that they couldn’t help her. “Ranjani…!” her mother exclaimed; “your brother has already left. Are you going to just laze around there or get ready for college?” Ranjani was quite frustrated with her parents. There was no freedom. But she couldn’t help, but listen to them. “Yes mom… I am coming”.  She quickly got ready, picked up her phone and left. Ranjani was studying medicine and her elder brother Raju was studying engineering. Their parents were authoritative when it came to their carrier. Ranjani always knew that Raju was not happy with what he was pursuing, and so did she. Raju was fascinated about joining the army, and to get the designation of a ‘General’ before his name. Sometimes she found him alone in his room, looking in the mirror and pretending to be an army general. Whereas, Ranjani wanted to become an interior designer as she felt home décor was a skill she possessed. She tried several times persuading her parents but they always kept criticizing her for her choice. “What are you going to get by decorating”? Her father said. She could never raise her voice because that would mean disrespect, and she would be grounded. Raju had trouble excelling in his field. Once he told her; “I want to get out of this place!” Ranjani always had to make him understand the consequences. “Acha (dad) won’t like it;” she said.

Dawn had turned to dusk, when she returned home. Ranjani was surprised to see her aunt Viji at home. Ranjani loved her a lot.  She was kind, understanding and jolly to talk to.  “Hello Ranjani how was your day?” “It was hectic, but good;” she replied. “I was just talking to your mother about taking you to Mumbai after your exams.  You can continue your further studies there, that way you can get good exposure.” Ranjani couldn’t hold back her excitement; “Really! I was waiting for this day… Viji mema (aunty) I love you.” Aunt Viji did not bare any kids so she accepted Raju and Ranjani as her own. The first time she came to meet them, Ranjani was gifted a dress and Raju with a  toy submarine. Aunt Viji frequently visited them from their childhood years. But Ranjani could not help thinking about the freedom she was going to get. Once she was in Mumbai, she could tell her aunt everything she ever wanted. She could finally show her skill she possessed. That night, the stars seemed brighter than ever before. She went to bed with a smile on her face and said; “Freedom, here I come.”