Kiara woke up to her body’s built-in alarm. It was 5:30 a.m. After a quick shower, she turned on the radio in a soft tone, being careful not to disturb anyone at home. As she swayed her body to the melody, the potatoes were mashed, the tea was boiled, and the vegetables were chopped and cooked over a low flame. Kiara’s day commenced.
The breakfast was ready. Mr Mathur, the family’s head, savoured the Adrakwali chai and hot paranthas. Soon, Rahul was up. When he heard Kiara’s favourite song on the radio, he smiled lovingly at her, and she winked back, teasing him. Kiara’s daughter, Naina, was also up, brushing her teeth alongside her father. Soon, both were dressed and sitting at the table with Mr. Mathur, enjoying their breakfast.
Rahul and Naina’s packed tiffin boxes were ready on the kitchen counter. Kiara slipped the box into Naina’s school bag and kissed her goodbye as she heard the school bus approach her building gate. Rahul was busy checking his e-mails. However, it was time to leave for work. Before leaving, he hugged Kiara tightly and kissed her forehead softly. Mr Mathur had retired to the building garden for a brief stroll.
Kiara then went about her household chores. The chores that never end. Cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry, among other things. Kiara enjoyed being a homemaker and doing a variety of jobs. Rahul and Mr Mathur reminded her to return to her HR job from time to time, but she chose to be a homemaker. Kiara made her own decisions. Rahul wanted her to take up her job, but she decided to be a stay-at-home mother.
Kiara was invited to her company’s special event today. A well-loved ex-employee that she was, she was all set to attend the function along with Naina after school. As Kiara settled in her chair, she heard murmurs from her ex-colleagues. “Kiara left a great position to be just a homemaker; what a pity. Today, she would have been with us, with a higher increment and greater satisfaction; what a waste of talent,” the murmurs grew louder now.
The event kicked off with some special announcements and a speech, followed by prizes, awards, and so on. Last but not least, Kiara stood up to speak when she was invited to discuss her life after leaving the organisation.
“What’s a choice?” Kiara started speaking. Do we, as women, always have the opportunity to make a choice, or do we live our lives on the terms of other people, situations, and conditions? Do women have the option of remaining single, marrying, or staying in a live-in? Do we have the option to choose how we dress? Do we have career choices? Do we have a choice between staying at home and working outside? Do we have the option of becoming a mother or not becoming one? Do we have a choice between resting and multitasking? Do we have a choice to return to our parents after a divorce? Do we have the option to voice our concerns and opinions and to say “no” when necessary? Do we have a choice to refuse sex, or are we forced into it unknowingly? Do we have a choice between staying in a nuclear or joint family?
Kiara resumed speaking after a brief pause. “Most of the time, we do not have a choice; it’s always a compulsion. Do this; you are a girl, and do not be late; you are alone. Dress appropriately, speak softly, do not laugh too loudly, obey, cook, stitch, and behave,” Kiara exclaimed, gasping for breath. “Where is the choice?” she asked. But a few lucky women do have the freedom to choose, and I fall into that category, Kiara smiled.
“I got married at the peak of my career with the choice of my partner. We both became parents when we chose to. I embraced the role of a homemaker as a personal choice. So, I am not only a homemaker; I am a homemaker by choice. Do women have the freedom to say that, at least? “Well, the silence in the audience says it all,” Kiara observed, scanning the faces in the auditorium. “I cook for my family and take care of their needs, which gives me more satisfaction. The satisfaction of things that money cannot buy. Of course, I can return to work because nobody can take away my talent. After quitting my job, I realized the value of a homemaker; she is a superwoman without a cape, a woman with fewer options but more power and love, let me add that a homemaker works more than an office-going lady; her work hours are erratic, and her schedules change from time to time.”
Freedom of choice is important in every girl’s life, and I am grateful to this organization for providing me with the opportunity to choose a new life in which I learn, unlearn, and relearn each day. Kudos to all the women out there; we all work; only a few get a choice.”
The auditorium was silent, but three people stood clapping first—Kiara’s father, her husband, and her father-in-law; little Naina, joined in too.
During the night, Naina asked her father, “Daddy, will I have the freedom to choose what I want in life?” Rahul kissed the little girl and told her, “Always my girl, the choice will be yours, just like your mother.”
Naina went to bed that night with a newfound outlook on life. She believed more in herself and knew that she was the master of her destiny.
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Every girl wants the freedom of choice just like Kiara. Forget feminism; first, get your freedom to choose and live your life as you wish to. That’s real empowerment, dear women.
The Momma Clan 
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