Love Me Like You Do

THE PERVERT IN THE FLIGHT

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She boarded the flight, her heart heavy with the upcoming conversation. Before the flight could take off, she summoned the courage to call her father.

"Appa, I'm coming to Chennai tomorrow night," her voice trembled as she said that.

Mr. Krishnan, with a hint of satisfaction, said "Good, I will forgive everything you did. There's a guy we've zeroed in on. You can meet him when you're here. We can fix the engagement next week and the wedding in 3 months."

She lost her cool and protested, "Appa at least ask me how I am???"

She sighed audibly, "I am not meeting anyone. I'm not getting married anytime soon. For God's sake, let me complete my studies..."

Mr. Krishnan sharply cut her off, "Then why are you coming to Chennai?"

Shivi, who yearned for her family, said, "Appa, it's been a year since I've met Amma."

Mr. Krishnan's tone turned bitter, "Do you still care about us? You've cut your hair and look so alienated. Do you have any idea how difficult it was to explain this to prospective grooms' families? Where was this care when you were roaming all night? Do you even care about our reputation?"

Shivi had endured enough all her life. She lost her patience, defended herself, and said, "Appa, I donated it to Cancer patients. If not for being proud, don't belittle it. And you humiliated me in front of everyone in college. What about my reputation? When beating a child is considered a crime in so many countries, you bet your grown-up daughter in front of 100 people. Do you have any idea how humiliated I felt?"

Mr. Krishnan, again expressing his displeasure, said "Shivya, you're adopting foreign culture and just making excuses. Don't you think it's important to tell your family if you're doing something like this?"

Shivi took a deep breath and decided to finally convey her true feelings.

Shivi's voice turned stern as she continued, her emotions were pouring out finally, "Family? Really, Appa? You're wealthy enough to support my education, but you won't do it because you don't agree with what I'm doing. Leave that; I can manage the finances. But tell me, why did you never help me pack my suitcase or come to the airport to drop me off? Why is there never emotional support? Throughout my life, I've been left in boarding school or under the care of cruel maids, while my siblings were never treated that way. Why have you been partial to me all my life?"

My sister, who is just one year younger, isn't even in contact with me. And you won't even share her number. Is there any logical explanation for that too? And Amma, I have no words to say about her. I learnt to use the sanitary pad using a YouTube video, when I got my first periods. She was not there for me even then. And now she has blocked me on WhatsApp. Is this how a mom should behave? Not even once have I celebrated any festival with the entire family. Despite coming from a rich household, I had to work to earn for my sanitary pads and the paneer I eat. Even animals will treat their offspring better."

She frowned with anger and disappointment, "Leave everything aside, have any of you ever sat with me once in my life and had a normal conversation? Does any of you even know my favorite color? Do you guys even remember my birthday?