The Woman Of The Match

4. The Stereotype

Next day, I went to school again. I met more children, made more friends. School was slowly becoming a comfortable place.

Then came the most exciting part of the day- The games period. But today, it was different. The boys were playing football instead of cricket. But one thing remained constant- My love for the ball. I loved how the football went in the air and dropped down. The voice of it touching the ground literally game me goosebumps.

I wanted to have a play with the ball, but could not. I didn't want to interrupt their game and the ball too seemed heavy for me. I could not understand why I was loving balls too much.

On my way back home, I asked dad to get me a cricket bat and ball and a small football. My dad was amused by my demand as usually I would ask him to get me dolls and teddies. He assured me he would take me to the market the next day.

In the evening I again went to the park to meet my friends. I was thrilled as I was getting my cricket kit and football. But my friends didn't seem excited to hear this.

"What will we do with the bat and the ball? They are the toys for the boys." Lavanya said.

"Why only for boys? Can't we play with them?" I replied, confused.

"Have you seen any boy playing with dolls? No, because dolls are meant for girls and similarly bat and ball are meant for boys." My friends continued.

I didn't understand why she said this. All I was concerned was that tomorrow I was getting my own bat and the ball.

I went home replaying Lavanya's words in my head. At the dinner table, I enthusiastically asked dad about tomorrow's plan.

"Where are you going on a Sunday?" Grandpa asked.

"We are going to buy Taisha her cricket kit." Dad responded.

"Cricket kit for Taisha? But she is a girl. What will she do with a bat?" Grandma questioned.

"She wants explore new things and these days even girls play cricket." Mom replied.

"If she wants to explore things, get her some other stuff. Cricket is not meant for her. She is so fragile. She might hurt herself. Cricket is a rough game meant for boys." Grandma said disappointedly.

"I will practice hard grandma and I will not hurt myself, I promise. Please let me have it." I pleaded.

"Do whatever you want to do then." Grandpa said angrily.

After the whole dining table conversation, I was dejected by their words and wondered why cricket and football were considered an 'all boys' game.

During bedtime, when my mum was putting me to sleep, I told her about Lavanya's words and asked the reason why wasn't I allowed to play cricket or football.

"These are the gender norms set up by the society to differentiate between male and female genders." Mum answered.

"This means cricket is really not meant for me?" I asked with tears in my eyes.

"No my darling. It's not true. These rules were laid down centuries ago and they need to change with the changing times. Anyone who adapts to these changes, grows with time and somebody who doesn't is left behind." She replied, wiping my tears.

Her words didn't console me completely but I was satisfied atleast for the night.

A/N: So guys, here's another chapter. Please vote, comment and share. I am eagerly waiting for your responses. Hope you are liking the story.
Lots of love.