Whisky, Women and World

Chapter 12

As Maya woke up, her eyes partially opened to check her mobile phone, a bright glare greeted her vision. Despite the brightness, this had become her morning routine. After scanning her phone for any important messages, she casually tossed it behind her onto the bed. Her eyes then settled on a bunch of black-dyed cotton wastes sitting on a nearby chair. These cotton wastes were a common sight in her house, as her aunt worked in a cotton mill and brought them home for cleaning purposes. Maya had collected these cottons to sponsor a play she and her theater group were working on. The play aimed to break taboos around sex education, and these cottons were meant to represent pubic hair, creatively glued onto cardboard-shaped penises and vaginas. The sight of the cotton brought a smile to her face, reminding her of the exciting day ahead at the theater.

Maya lived with her aunt after her father and elder brother died in an accident when she was only fourteen years old. That tragic incident marked the last time her aunt saw Maya cry. The young girl had no memories of her mother either, as she had left her at a very tender age. Throughout her childhood, various speculations circulated among family and neighbors about her mother's whereabouts. Some suggested she had an affair with another man, while others claimed she had met with a brutal accident. There were whispers about her mental health, with some believing she was secretly sent to an asylum. Shockingly, a few even speculated that she had joined bandits fighting against the government.

Yet, each time such gossip reached Maya's ears, she couldn't help but visualize her late father's face. His expression seemed to blend sadness with a tinge of embarrassment, a mix of emotions that puzzled her greatly. Unable to decipher her father's feelings, she hesitated to probe further into the mystery of her mother's disappearance. Deep down, she was certain that her father harbored some level of disappointment whenever discussions about her mother arose. As the years passed, Maya gradually lost her curiosity about her mother.

With great hesitation and a few stretches, Maya finally roused herself from bed. She stood in the living space, waiting for her aunt to leave the kitchen so she could make her own coffee. The strained silence between them had persisted for three long years, originating from an incident in Maya's high school days.

It all began when the school principal called Maya's guardian, her aunt, to discuss her behavior at school. Maya had always found it easier to connect with boys rather than girls. She thrived in their company, engaging in sports, and occasionally beating them when the situation called for it. Growing up in a household dominated by male presence, she felt more at ease spending time with men. The idea of wearing dresses never appealed to her, and she would often borrow her late brother's clothes, finding comfort in their loose fit and casual style.

Despite not being highly sociable, her chance encounter with a transgender woman at a bus stop forged a connection. As they exchanged friendly waves, Maya felt an instant bond with this stranger. They soon became fast friends, exchanging chocolates and engaging in long conversations every evening. Maya would often forgo taking the bus, instead walking home accompanied by her newfound friend.

As her friendship with the transgender woman blossomed, Maya faced inquiries from her teacher about her after-school activities and her preference for male company. Unable to articulate her feelings, Maya found herself at a loss for words. When her aunt discovered the nature of Maya's friendships, she unleashed a torrent of frustration and criticism. She launched into a heated rant, listing the sacrifices she had made for Maya's education and the love she had poured into raising her after the tragic loss of her family. She couldn't understand why Maya insisted on defying societal norms, behaving like a boy, and befriending someone they considered 'different'. The gossip mongers in the neighborhood further fueled the fire, insinuating that Maya's supposed deviant behavior had been inherited from her missing mother. Some individuals took the gossip to an even more malicious level, spreading rumors that Maya was seen hanging around with a boy after school. They painted her actions as sinful, casting judgment on her innocent friendships and innocent encounters. The whispers grew louder, creating a cloud of negativity around her, tarnishing her reputation in the eyes of those who were quick to condemn without understanding.