Vision was a small college located in the vicinity of Srinagar city. Its buildings depicted age old The architecture of the city like slanted roofs, daji- deewari, taq system etc.
college was surrounded by old Chinar trees which provided shelter to many students from scorching heat in the summer.
Jamila was one of the many students who had enrolled in the college to pursue her BACHELOR’S DEGREE. VISION wasn’t her dream college. She wanted to study abroad but her father refused to let her go because she was ‘a girl’.
That is why Jamila always dreamed to be a boy. Because in her society, boys had more rights than girls. She wanted to be free and strong which in her view was impossible as long as she was a girl.
Anyways, she tried opened the college website on her phone to find her schedule but her phone was dead. She wished she had the money to buy new smartphone. But we don’t always get what we want, do we?
“Are you a freshman?”, someone asked.
Jamila turned her head to find the source of this voice.
It was another girl who wore white salwar qamiz like her. The girl looked slightly older than her. She had dark skin, black hair and angelic smile.
“Yes…”, Jamila answered.
“Ok, then follow me… All freshman students are supposed to gather in the auditorium.”, the girl said.
At first, Jamila was hesitant but then she decided to follow her.
Jamila did not like to make friends. Jamila believed that girls always backbite each other and she hated that.
She grew up in the world where women always kept an eye on young girls. They were not allowed to wear certain things or talk loudly.
Jamila was used to this toxic environment. She truly believed that girls were supposed follow certain rules because they were weaker than men.
Jamila looked at the group of boys who were playing basketball. They looked so carefree. Jamila was envious of them.
“By the way, my name is Mehbooba…. What is yours?”, the girl asked which pulled Jamila out of her thoughts.
“Jamila, my name is Jamila…” she answered.
After a while, Jamila stood before the huge building which was made up of antique wood. It was shaped like a dome with pillars welcoming visitors at its entrance.
When Jamila entered the building, she noticed that only girls were present in the room and there were huge banners which said, “WELCOME TO THE WOMENS’ CLUB’’.
There was small stage right in front of auditorium.
Jamila felt excited as she looked around. Everything looked vibrant and exhilarating.
“Why don’t you go ahead and join others? I will see you after a while?” Mehbooba told Jamila as she left.
After a while, two girls appeared on the stage and announced:
“Welcome to the women’s club. Every year orientation program for girl students is arranged by our club. Our club works with other main clubs of our college; like drama club, debate club, sports club etc.
Our main focus is to encourage female students to join all kinds of activities. We also provide safe environment to register complaint against harassment faced by female students in college premises. Our country has many colleges but only few of them give opportunity to girls to prove themselves. Our college is one of them….”
Jamila felt weird. No one ever told her about these extracurricular activities.
After a while, various brochures were distributed among girls which explained various activities which were conducted via different clubs.
The brochure was made up of smooth paper and it depicted various pictures. Jamila got curious and started to read about various activities. The concept of debate mesmerized her. Even though she won’t be able to join any such club, her parents won’t allow her.
Around 4p.m. Jamila reached home. Her home was situated near the college so she walked on foot to reach home. On her way she saw many girls who were waiting for local buses.
Local buses were very crowded. Many women and young girls got harassed in these buses but no complaint was ever failed against assaulters because women were scared that they would be forced to stay at home if they ever did something like that.
After sometime Jamila reached her house.
“Asalamalaikum {greeting in Arabic], I am home.”, Jamila said once she entered the house.
“Oh, you are here. Go hang these clothes outside.”, Jamila’s mother said.
“But I am tired and hungry. Can you please do it yourself?’’, Jamila said.
“Of course, why not? I should do it by myself. After all I was sitting idle since morning. You should just lie down while I work myself to death.” Jamila’s mother hummed in a sarcastic tone.
Oh no, she was in danger. Now she had to hang the clothes or else her mother would strangle her to death.
After doing all the tasks and eating her food, Jamila went to her room and opened her bag to read the brochure once again. She thought that maybe she should secretly try to join debate club, her family will not know anything if she hides her secret properly.
In the morning, Jamila woke up early and prepared breakfast for herself. She felt giddy and nervous. After all she was trying something new in her life.
“Jamila if you have prepared breakfast for yourself then wake up your brother. He has to go to school.”, Jamila’s mother instructed.
Jamila was jealous of her brother. He was two years younger than her but he was sent to private school for studying science while Jamila had to attend public school. No one asked him to do any household chores while Jamila helped her mother with various tasks since she was nine.
But today she did not want to help her mother.
‘’Sorry mom I cannot since I have to go to college.”, Jamila as ran outside ignoring her mother’s yelling.
It felt good to rebel once in a while.
After a while, Jamila reached her college. Fortunately, Mehbooba was standing near the college gate. Jamila went to ask her about the debate club but then she began to hesitate….
What if her father found out? Will he force her to get married like her 17- year- old cousin, Husna.
“Jamila, hi…. Have you decided what you want to do?”, Mehbooba asked.
Jamila looked at her fearfully. She no longer knew what she wanted to say.
Mehbooba looked at her knowingly: “Look I know what you are thinking. After all, I am your senior. You are probably scared to do something new but trust me one day you will overcome this fear. Follow me… I will show you around. Maybe you will---”
“Actually, I wanted to join debate club.” Jamila interrupted her with vigor.
Mehbooba chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Ok, then follow me. “, she told Jamila.
Debate club had a vacant office in the main building of college campus. When Jamila entered the office, she was thrilled to see all the trophies and medals belonging to different student but she grew anxious when she saw a boy sitting on the floor.
Mehbooba smiled at the boy, ‘’ Zafar, she is new student, Jamila. She wants to join our club. Write her name on the list.”
“Sure…’’, Zafar said.
Mehbooba turned towards Jamila and said: “Our club is very diligent. We practice regularly around 1p.m. since almost every student has free period during that time.”
‘’OK I will try to come here regularly but I have to leave. I am late for my class.”, Jamila said as she left the room.
………………………………………………….
Days went by as Jamila practiced regularly in the debate club.
Albeit it was difficult to balance her studies and debate practices. She was able to handle everything gracefully.
Then one day Mehbooba announced, “Ok guys we have competition in two weeks at inter-college level and like always we would like to give opportunity to freshman to join the team who wants to participate in the competition.
“I want to do it.’’, Jamila said nervously.
‘’ Ok, Jamila, get ready for rigorous training sessions. You will have to come college earlier than others.”, Mehbooba declared.
‘’Exactly how early do I have to come to college?”, Jamila asked.
‘’ At 7 a.m. I hope it is not a big deal for you after all you live in this area.’’ Mehbooba informed.
Jamila was frightened because her father did not leave for work before 8 a.m. Now she would have to lie to her father.
In the morning, Jamila secretly got ready to leave the house but her father caught her.
‘’ Where are you going? College does not start before 9am.”, her father asked.
“I have to attend some classes in the morning.”, she said.
Her father nodded and went inside. As usual he didn’t say anything to her.
Jamila suddenly remembered her childhood. Her father used to love her when she was little but as she grew up things changed drastically. He even stopped talking to her. She felt so lonely.
Ignoring negative thoughts Jamila went to college.
After several days, the day of her competition arrived. The competition was held in the elite university of the state.
Jamila was participating competition with Zafar and Mehbooba. They had to go there via college bus.
Jamila had to lie to her parents once again. She felt guilty.
As soon as they reached the university, competition began.
Main theme of debate was regarding GENDER EQUALITY.
Jamila’s team was going to argue in favor of the motion.
Jamila passionately argued in favor of gender equality. As if she was expressing all of her internal struggle….
‘’---Hence women should be allowed to enjoy equal opportunities. We are all humans, we should be allowed to enjoy equal rights.”, Jamila closed her argument with these two statements.
She felt emotional. Tears were about to roll on her cheeks when suddenly her eyes fell on her father who was sitting in the audience.
Her father was a prominent researcher and academician hence he was invited as a chief guest in this competition. She felt scared. Shivers ran through her body.
After a while Jamila’s team was declared as winner but she could not fathom anything. Her head was spinning.
‘I have to go...’, Jamila informed Mehbooba.
Mehbooba nodded silently. She could feel something was wrong with Jamila.
Jamila took local bus to reach home. She had never travelled in such a bus and right now she could not care less. This was her end. Her father will kill her.
As soon as she reached home, she was startled to see that her mother was waiting for her on the gate. She nervously approached her mother who hugged her excitedly. Jamila was surprised.
She gasped when she saw that her father was standing behind her mother but instead of scolding at her he smiled at her.
“Congratulations Jamila. Why didn’t you tell me about this before?”, her father said.
“You are not mad?’’, she asked him.
“I was before but after listening to your speech in the debate I realized that I have imprisoned you in this house. I am sorry…”, he said.
Jamila was startled as she looked at her father. There were many things that she wanted to say but could not… So, she cried loudly as her father hugged her after 10 years.
Maybe being woman was not that bad: she thought.
