“Mum, I am going to one of my friend’s house,” I informed my mum while heading towards the main door.

“No, you’re not going,” came the firm command.

“But why? I already told you I have to discuss a project with my friends!”

My mum lectured, “When I was your age, I didn’t discuss any project at my friend’s house. Whatever we did was in school, all the discussions and all the preparation. Why do you need to go to your friend’s house?”

“And you can’t go alone because you’re a girl. You need someone with you, if it is really important, take your mum or your brother with you,” my dad gave the verdict.

“But that doesn’t even make any sense! Saad always goes anywhere without taking permission and without any supervision!” I cried.

Saad poked his tongue out at me. I looked my brother, mother and father on the table as they calmly ate their lunch.

“It’s not fair. If I am a girl it doesn’t mean I need anyone to look after me! Arfah Siddiqui wasn’t weak. Serena Williams isn’t weak. Syeda Bukhari isn’t weak and they all are girls. Why do you underestimated girls, dad?” I said and everyone looked at me.

“Mum, you never tell me I need someone to look after me when I go to school every day, walking alone early morning.

“Dad, you never told me I was weak when I helped you wash our car and change its tires.

“And Saad, you never teased me when I taught you how to ride a bicycle and helped you fix its chain!

“Yes, you can tell me to be careful and watchful about my surroundings like you always tell this to Saad, but how could you all just discriminate?”

Mum and dad smiled. While Saad kept his naughty performance on. I silently got up and headed towards my room, when mum called me from behind.

“Ramsha, we never meant to hurt you. Yes, we are more careful and you can say, scared of the unknown people around us, that’s why try to keep you shielded from any unpleasant incident.”

“You’re the strongest one in our family. What you said makes me proud of a daughter with such a strong belief in herself. Go to your friend’s house, but don’t come late!” said dad.

I smiled on hearing this.

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 19th, 2018