Feminine

Punishment

Kajal, a bright and bubbly teenager, had always been the apple of her father's eye. However, her recent rebellious streak had landed her in trouble at school, resulting in a suspension that left her feeling dejected and humiliated. As she walked home, tears streaming down her face, she couldn't bear the thought of facing her disappointed parents.

Upon reaching home, Kajal retreated to her room, seeking solace in the solitude of her own space. Her parents, Father Jitin and Mrs. Jitin, knocked gently on her door, their voices laced with concern. Kajal, hesitant to face their judgment, reluctantly opened the door, her eyes still red from crying.

"Kajal, beta, what happened?" Father Jitin asked, his voice soft and understanding.

Kajal, unable to contain her emotions any longer, burst into tears, recounting the events that led to her suspension. Her parents listened attentively, their hearts aching for their daughter's pain.

As Kajal spoke, Father Jitin couldn't help but notice her distressed state. Her usually vibrant spirit was dimmed, her eyes clouded with sadness.

Kajal, still reeling from the shock of her mother's slap, stood frozen in place, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't believe her mother had reacted in such a way. She had only been trying to make her father happy, to bring some light into his life.

"Maa," she pleaded, her voice trembling, "please, I didn't mean to upset you.

But Shweta was unmoved. Her eyes were cold and hard as she glared at her daughter.

"You have no idea what you've done," she said, her voice laced with anger and disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Maa," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

Father Jitin, witnessing the heated exchange between his wife and daughter, felt a surge of protectiveness towards Kajal. He stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on his daughter's shoulder, while addressing Shweta with a calm and reassuring voice.

"Shweta, please," he began, his tone soothing, "let's calm down and talk this through rationally."

Shweta, her emotions still running high, turned to face her husband, her eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and disappointment.

"Jitin," she exclaimed, her voice laced with exasperation, "how can you be so nonchalant about this? Kajal's behavior has become increasingly unacceptable. She has no regard for rules or respect for others."

"Shweta," he said, his voice gentle yet firm, "I understand your concerns, but we need to approach this situation with understanding and compassion. Kajal is still young, still learning how to navigate the complexities of life. We cannot expect her to be perfect, and we must not stifle her spirit in our attempts to correct her."

Shweta, her anger momentarily subsiding, looked at her husband with a glimmer of doubt.

"But Jitin," she protested, "she cannot go around disrespecting others and behaving in such a rebellious manner. She needs to learn to respect boundaries and consider the consequences of her actions."

Father Jitin nodded in agreement. "I agree, Shweta, but we cannot achieve that by imposing our will upon her. Instead, we need to guide her, to help her understand the importance of respect and consideration for others. We need to foster open communication and empathy, not just punishment and reprimand."

Shweta's anger remained palpable as she expressed her concerns about facing the principal. "Who will even go to school tomorrow to meet the principal? She's such a strict woman," she exclaimed. "She'll take out all her anger on me, scold me for not teaching my daughter proper manners."