Meera was very excited. She was going to join her cousins for a much awaited trip. It had been a 6 long years since she had gone for a trip like this. She was the eldest among the girls in the family and had got married first. All these years, she has been busy raising her 2 kids and managing home while going for a full time job.
Harish dropped her to the railway station. "Enjoy the trip. Remember, you deserve this break. Don't worry about the kids. I'll manage", he reassured. Meera couldn't thank her stars enough for giving her a partner like Harish. "Thank you", she said controlling her tears and smiled.
The train started on time. Everyone had settled down. The compartment was full of laughter and chirpiness. Meera felt young. There was so much to talk. Though everyone was in touch through social media, their actual meetings happened very rarely, during family functions, provided the functions were on the weekends and on that particular weekend, they didn't have other excuses. Luckily, this trip was being executed according to their plan. Because usually they plan and it gets cancelled for some reasons.
The train picked up its speed, so as the conversation between the cousins. They were pulling each other's legs. Meera was talking something serious with Bhavana, her chachu's daughter, when Rohan, the eldest among all and Meera's Bade Papa's son asked her a non-sense question, "Hey Meera, you teach in college right, what do your students throw at you in the class? tomatoes or eggs?".
Everyone burst into laughter including Bhavana. Meera was shocked, she felt insulted. She knew that some of her cousins like pulling each other's legs. Out of 8 in the group, 3 were students and the rest were working. Rohan is working in a small firm, he is married as well. Meera is used to his way of talking and the jokes he cracks. Earlier also, he had made fun of her in many incidents. Sometimes, it would be really funny but sometimes, she would feel bad. He does it to everyone. But this time, Meera felt disgusting. Is he doubting my calibre? She wondered. But she didn't want to spoil the mood of the trip. " Why would they do that? My students like my teaching and I always get good results for all my subjects. In fact, cent percent most of the times", she said in a single breath.
Again there was a ripple of laughter. "We should sit in her class once", Rohan winked at Neha, Meera's mama's daughter, and Neha giggled. "Sure, you are most welcome. But I don't need your certificate", Meera replied with a smile, while inside, she was fuming. "I'm well educated, have a great reputation in my college and earn more than you!", She wanted to scream but she couldn't. She can't imagine hurting someone with her words.
While having lunch, few of her cousins, including Rohan made fun of Bhavana's weight. Only Meera knew, she was going through PCOD issues. The body shaming was about to cross the limits when the frustrated Bhavana fought with Rohan and threw ketchup on his new T-shirt, but it didn't affect him much and after a while, he continued mocking and few others joined him again.
The trip was not that bad and Meera did enjoy but not completely. She couldn't forget the train incident. Not only that, her another cousin Nithin, who was Meera's age was made fun of, for not getting any alliance for marriage. Sandhya was made fun of, for her short height. Of course, Meera is a jovial person but she encourages only healthy jokes.
By the end of the trip, Meera missed her kids and husband very badly. Though she had got a much deserved break, she felt, she would have enjoyed more in the company of her kids and husband who never judge her, love her unconditionally and with whom she is more comfortable.
After coming back, the first thing she did was to exit from the WhatsApp group named 'Cousins Rocks' to avoid more such jokes. But unfortunately, after a few days, Rohan added her back to the group. According to him, Meera was just over reacting.
Finally, Meera has learnt one thing - IGNORE.
Author's Note:
This is a work of fiction, no offense to anyone. Making fun of each other and leg-pulling is fine among friends, colleagues, siblings, cousins or other family members, but in a lighter note and when the victim is not feeling too awkward, humiliated or insulted. It definitely hurts when the limits are crossed. For some, it may even leave behind permanent scars. You may be very close to someone, but please, don't cross the limit!
Harish dropped her to the railway station. "Enjoy the trip. Remember, you deserve this break. Don't worry about the kids. I'll manage", he reassured. Meera couldn't thank her stars enough for giving her a partner like Harish. "Thank you", she said controlling her tears and smiled.
The train started on time. Everyone had settled down. The compartment was full of laughter and chirpiness. Meera felt young. There was so much to talk. Though everyone was in touch through social media, their actual meetings happened very rarely, during family functions, provided the functions were on the weekends and on that particular weekend, they didn't have other excuses. Luckily, this trip was being executed according to their plan. Because usually they plan and it gets cancelled for some reasons.
The train picked up its speed, so as the conversation between the cousins. They were pulling each other's legs. Meera was talking something serious with Bhavana, her chachu's daughter, when Rohan, the eldest among all and Meera's Bade Papa's son asked her a non-sense question, "Hey Meera, you teach in college right, what do your students throw at you in the class? tomatoes or eggs?".
Again there was a ripple of laughter. "We should sit in her class once", Rohan winked at Neha, Meera's mama's daughter, and Neha giggled. "Sure, you are most welcome. But I don't need your certificate", Meera replied with a smile, while inside, she was fuming. "I'm well educated, have a great reputation in my college and earn more than you!", She wanted to scream but she couldn't. She can't imagine hurting someone with her words.
While having lunch, few of her cousins, including Rohan made fun of Bhavana's weight. Only Meera knew, she was going through PCOD issues. The body shaming was about to cross the limits when the frustrated Bhavana fought with Rohan and threw ketchup on his new T-shirt, but it didn't affect him much and after a while, he continued mocking and few others joined him again.
By the end of the trip, Meera missed her kids and husband very badly. Though she had got a much deserved break, she felt, she would have enjoyed more in the company of her kids and husband who never judge her, love her unconditionally and with whom she is more comfortable.
After coming back, the first thing she did was to exit from the WhatsApp group named 'Cousins Rocks' to avoid more such jokes. But unfortunately, after a few days, Rohan added her back to the group. According to him, Meera was just over reacting.
Finally, Meera has learnt one thing - IGNORE.
Author's Note:
This is a work of fiction, no offense to anyone. Making fun of each other and leg-pulling is fine among friends, colleagues, siblings, cousins or other family members, but in a lighter note and when the victim is not feeling too awkward, humiliated or insulted. It definitely hurts when the limits are crossed. For some, it may even leave behind permanent scars. You may be very close to someone, but please, don't cross the limit!
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