She was called a bright student. She was called a beautiful girl. She was called the life of the party. She was much more. Until one day, she didn’t know who she was anymore.

She overheard her parents talk to a stranger on call. He would like to come and see her personally, he said. Not to know her better in person. But to see her and decide her worth in the form of dowry. She wondered if she was a property for someone to see her and determine her worth. She wanted to object but she was tight-lipped.

She was asked to drape a saree for a specific occasion. They like her better in a saree, they said. She wondered if she was a doll that needed to be dressed up according to other’s moods and preferences. She didn’t have a say in it but she didn’t voice it either.

On another occasion, she was given someone’s contact information. Know him better, he will probably be your future partner, they said. She never knew him but she was told she needed to make up her mind about that person. And one day, that stranger asked her if she was good at managing his house because that was why he was marrying her. She was good at her job, she wanted to say but couldn’t.

She was told that the man called off this arranged match because he found a better option.

But that didn’t stop her from facing humiliation again and again.

She was told by one that she smiles too much. But some others told her that she doesn’t smile enough. She was told by one that they wanted her to manage the house but the other told her that she was supposed to work and support financially. She wondered if she was a robot or a doll.

She was being tormented mentally but no one seemed to care. She was the object standing in the auction after all. She often questions herself, who is she?

She was sitting in the same chair but the ones sitting before her changed. It was her bad luck they said. It was her own karma they said. But no one realized that her bad karma was that she was being materialized instead of being looked at like any other human being.

Someone said her way of walking resembled a camel in an attempt to make everyone laugh in the room. Another said her long hair reminded him that hair products are expensive. Tolerating him was even more expensive mentally, she thought. Yet again, she never spoke a word.

One day, a man came dressed in her favourite colour. He asked her if she was comfortable. He told her she looked beautiful. He told her that he liked her. He told her that he couldn’t wait to start a life with her. She saw him as not just a man but her knight in shining armour.

The wedding was rushed but everyone was happy. She was happy.

The first evening after the wedding, she couldn’t help but ask him at last.

“How did you know I was the one?” she asked and anticipated, imagining that his answer would soothe down the huge emotional waves deep down her heart.

“You are beautiful. Someone I can introduce to my friends proudly,” he said and leaned closer to her.

It was at that moment she finally questioned herself again. Who is she?

Not a woman. Not a bright student. Not the life of a party. Not anything that she worked so hard for.

A prized possession. That's what she was. 

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