I woke up with a start.
I heard loud voices which became even more prominent in the stillness of the night.
Taking long strides I followed the sounds and moved towards the bizarre noises.
I found myself standing on the second floor. Flat 206 was the humble abode of three young girls. All three of them were independent, sassy women who worked in premier organizations.
They stood out in their chiseled frames and embellished faces and many a times I looked at them in amazement but at the same time wondered what they must actually look like.
They would be busy on weekdays and weekends would be like a big outstretched party. I had long realized that in these big cities human beings spent their lives clutching on to these two days of the week.
For these girls weekends were characterized by a wave of gratification galore. Music and liquor flowed freely and unabated and soon everyone was inebriated enough to fall in a trance of sorts.
The residents on the second floor many a times complained about the loud noises but the girls were relentless and unapologetic. They claimed that just like their male counterparts, they too had the right to live their lives the way they wanted.
Fellow residents could not help but turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the weekend shenanigans of the girls.
They were mostly concerned about the fact that a number of male acquaintances too were a part of their weekend adventures.
So, as I heard those loud voices, I was worried for the safety of the girls. I looked around and was happy to see that a group of people were headed towards the house.
They vehemently and with a sense of urgency banged the door.
The door was opened by one of the girls and as they peeked in, they realized that a scuffle between the girls and two lanky young men was on.
The house was in a royal mess and there were liquor bottles strewn everywhere.
One of the feisty men intervened and the boys grabbed their belongings and fled a quick escape.
“They suddenly started misbehaving and coming on to us. But we would have managed. Sorry for the noises though”, one of the girls who looked disheveled and white with fear, said appearing to be restrained.
“How much do you know these men? You realize things could have got really ugly. Why do you have to misuse your independence? There are other ways to feel and exhibit that you are empowered. Why risk your life?”
One of the neighbours who was taking the lead, exclaimed trying to sound as calm as possible.
“If you do not behave as mature individuals, we will have to intervene and ask you to leave the society”, he said with an air of finality while the girls looked at him dismayed.
I looked at the three women who were in a sorry state. They were in stark contrast to the feisty and confident women I marveled at in the day.
I abhorred those men who failed to respect women, the brunt of which was borne by the fairer sex.
What freedom meant for this generation, I wondered
Were we being unfair in treating men and women or while trying to create an equilibrium our ideas of equality had botched up?
As always, I had no definite answers and I took a sigh of relief that at least they were unscathed for now.
Tomorrow though would be another day in the Rainbow Housing Society.
(I am taking part in #AtoZchallenge and today is the fifteenth day of the challenge. Today’s letter is ‘O’).
Image : https://fineartamerica.com/featured/life-of-the-party-dandre-brooks.html