What happens when a teacher and student fall in love?
Do you know what it's like to feel like a prisoner in your own body? Well, Anika Ahmed does. She has never had an easy life. She was born with Cerebral Palsy, which left her in a wheelchair. You...
When I got home, my parents told me to go in my room and get dressed in a salwar kamees which is a traditional style dress and to come in the sitting room to talk to me.
I wonder why I have to get dressed up, and what do they need to talk to me about? I thought to myself getting dressed.
I decided on wearing a plain yellow dress and green duppata with neutral makeup and a bindi.
Photo of outfit ⬇
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Anika!" My mum shouted from the sitting room.
"Coming!" I replied, taking one last look in the mirror and heading towards the sitting room.
"There is no easy way of saying this, but dad and I think it's best if you get married." My mum said quickly.
Say what now? There is no fucking way I'm doing that!!
"You see, your dad and I both agree that it is in your best interest we choose who you marry since nobody will want to marry since you are like that." My mum said, looking at me and my wheelchair in disgust.
You see, in my culture, something like that is seen as typical. In my culture, girls cook and clean. Boys get to leave the house boys get to go outside and socialise. Boys leave their cutlery on the dinner table after they're done eating. Girls tidy up after them and bring them to the sink and wash them.
I grew up thinking that would be different for me. Mum and Dad would force it down my throat that I had to have good grades in school. I got praised by teachers in every parents evening, but now I see why. My parents thought if I had good grades, it would make me look like every other 'normal' kid and it would hide the fact I'm in a wheelchair and that I have a disability.
"Mum, I don't want an arranged marriage. I'm only seventeen for God's grace. I want to go to university and get a degree. I want to fall in love with someone who will love me for me. I WANT TO LIVE MY LIFE!!" I shouted in tears.
What am I going to tell Christian? I love him!! I thought to myself in tears.
"No daughter of mine is going to act like a whore, what do you think your auntie and uncle would feel if they heard everything you are saying? You are a Muslim girl act like one. What have your stupid friends been getting into your head?!?! Do you really think someone will love you? I'm doing this for your own good. Our word is final. Now stop crying, we found a match for you he's coming over in ten minutes. My mum said getting up to go, God knows where.
