Roleplaying as Mehnaz Begum
In the seven-page judgment, the chief justice stated that infertility, even if proven, cannot be a legal ground for denying dower or maintenance, nor can it be used to question a woman’s femininity. He warned that false and humiliating accusations aimed at degrading women will not be tolerated in courts.
Note: Previously I wrote about Mehnaz Begum in blog I Can't Give You BABY! but it's hard to understand what she went through for many years. This blog is an attempt of roleplaying and helping society understand Mehnaz Begum on a deeper level. Call it a tribute or social awareness, it's upto you.
A Letter to My Wounded Self
With trembling hands and faltering self-esteem, I began writing this letter. Not to the person I once was, but to the girl I am now. To the girl who feels hopeless, with expectations worn thin. I don’t know how long I’ll carry this disease. Not one that ravages my body, but one that consumes my soul, fragmenting my inner self into pieces that may never reunite to make me whole again.
Reflections on a Cruel Society
Dear Myself,
Perhaps Mom didn’t think twice about bringing me into this unforgiving world. She couldn’t defy the fate ordained by the heavens, but I can’t help but feel it was my fault for being born into such a family. I was raised to be harmless, taught that silence and defense were the only responses to stones thrown my way. No one told me to hurl those stones back with greater force, to make the thrower face their own cruelty. Instead, my education emphasized manners and etiquette, urging me to treat everyone with kindness.
The Cost of Self-Respect
I was told that self-respect is merely ego, and those who carry it are destined to fail. The face of that older woman who preached humanity to us still lingers in my mind, unforgettable yet haunting. I want to ask her: Where do I turn when people treat me like garbage, trampling me at every step? What do I do when my goodness is met with revenge, when my loved ones are turned against me through manipulation? When silence is my only defense, and the world around me is deaf and blind, what is left? In relationships, trust is the first casualty, eroded by misunderstandings and betrayal. No matter how loyally I stand by someone through thick and thin, there’s always a snake waiting to strike, ready to undo the kindness I’ve shown. They won’t let me repay their debts of gratitude; instead, they pull the ground from beneath my feet.
The Burden of Unreciprocated Love
Why was I taught to love everyone when hate and jealousy permeate the air like oxygen? Why was I told to respect others when, in return, I’m met with pain? Why invite people into my precious life when they exploit my innocence, digging a deeper pit for my fall the moment they spot a crack?
Dear Self, why did you spend your resources, your time, your heart, to bring happiness to others, only to be left empty-handed? Your parents gave you an education to discern right from wrong, but why didn’t they teach you to find your voice and courage? Why did they urge you to compromise, knowing your silence is eating you alive? Why do they ask if others are satisfied with your behavior when the real question should be about your own well-being?
The Pain of Unseen Sacrifices
When loved ones turn blind in the court of judgment, what becomes of the one whose happiness you prioritized over your own? Can they repay the moments when you swallowed toxicity and offered them a smile? Can they undo the hidden truths you kept buried for the sake of their peace?
Behind these heart-wrenching words lies a person surviving the toxic currents of society and the sting of disloyal relationships. This narrative centers on a woman, hurt in countless ways, navigating a world that betrays her at every turn.
A Hard-Learned Lesson
The conclusion is clear: expect little. You never know who will turn the tables or how deeply their betrayal will cut. In a world of hurt and hate, guard your heart, for not everyone deserves its light.
