I'm afraid to go for this meeting. Can you come with me?
What meeting is that?
My son got into trouble in school. The headmaster wants to see me.
What kind of trouble?
I'm not sure. He didn't say.
Did you ask your son?
He doesn't talk to me. He's silent all the time.
When is this meeting?
In a while.
Why are you afraid to see this man? The headmaster? Has he been rude to you in any way?
Oh, no! I've never seen him. I've not gone out anywhere for the past six months, since that day...
Since your husband died?
Yes. My family restricts me from going out. There are things I'm not allowed to do as a widow.
You know i really feel annoyed with your ignorance. Why do you have restrictions because you're a widow? You're not a criminal who had committed a murder or something. Who's restricting you?
All my family members. They say widows are looked down by the community. We're a symbol of bad luck.
I see. Do you know why your husband died? Did you hurt him in anyway? Did you poison him or something?
No. He wasn't well. He had a heart attack. He was jobless. He didn't have any exercise. The doctor said there was too much fat in his heart. His heart stopped.
In what way are you responsible for his death? Isn't it his fault that he didn't take care of his health?
Many say that if i had been lucky he wouldn't have died. A husband's long life is in the hands of the wife.
How can you say that? You are a living human being. You should live your life. Don't you have any likes, dislikes?
I have always done what made my husband happy. I just listened to him. I obeyed his every instruction.
And now?
Now I'm obeying what my father and brothers are saying.
Were you always living with your parents?
No, I lived with my husband in a condominium. After he died my father told me to pack my bags and go live with him.
What happened to your condo?
It's there. No one's there now.
Why can't you stay there? On your own?
What would i do? I don't have a job. I don't drive. I don't know much about the outside world. It's a little scary.
I'm a little lost for words. Please tell me honestly. Do you have anything that you like to do?
I like to watch movies.
Do you watch it anytime?
Yes. When the TV is on. When everyone is watching.
You don't go to the theatre?
Oh, no! I'm not allowed. It's just been six months since he died. I can only go out after a year.
Sigh! This is the year 2016. You sound like you live in the 50's. Will you listen to me?
I can listen to you. I like the way you helped my children in the temple. They listened to you. That's why i came to ask for your help.
Firstly let me talk to your parents. They cannot tie you down like this. What will happen to you after them? How will you survive alone?
I never thought of it... It's scary.
Your parents are old. You have three children. You already are facing problems with your children. You must sort out your life.
What should i do? Please tell me what i can do.
It's not going to be easy. Everything takes efforts. You understand?
Yes.
There is a long list of things to be done. If you follow what I'm saying you can make important changes. Slowly you can start living independently.
Okay. I will try to follow what you say.
Now let's go sort out your son's problem. I will follow you but you are going to talk to the headmaster okay?
Okay.
What meeting is that?
My son got into trouble in school. The headmaster wants to see me.
What kind of trouble?
I'm not sure. He didn't say.
Did you ask your son?
He doesn't talk to me. He's silent all the time.
When is this meeting?
In a while.
Why are you afraid to see this man? The headmaster? Has he been rude to you in any way?
Oh, no! I've never seen him. I've not gone out anywhere for the past six months, since that day...
Since your husband died?
Yes. My family restricts me from going out. There are things I'm not allowed to do as a widow.
You know i really feel annoyed with your ignorance. Why do you have restrictions because you're a widow? You're not a criminal who had committed a murder or something. Who's restricting you?
All my family members. They say widows are looked down by the community. We're a symbol of bad luck.
I see. Do you know why your husband died? Did you hurt him in anyway? Did you poison him or something?
No. He wasn't well. He had a heart attack. He was jobless. He didn't have any exercise. The doctor said there was too much fat in his heart. His heart stopped.
In what way are you responsible for his death? Isn't it his fault that he didn't take care of his health?
Many say that if i had been lucky he wouldn't have died. A husband's long life is in the hands of the wife.
How can you say that? You are a living human being. You should live your life. Don't you have any likes, dislikes?
I have always done what made my husband happy. I just listened to him. I obeyed his every instruction.
And now?
Now I'm obeying what my father and brothers are saying.
Were you always living with your parents?
No, I lived with my husband in a condominium. After he died my father told me to pack my bags and go live with him.
What happened to your condo?
It's there. No one's there now.
Why can't you stay there? On your own?
What would i do? I don't have a job. I don't drive. I don't know much about the outside world. It's a little scary.
I'm a little lost for words. Please tell me honestly. Do you have anything that you like to do?
I like to watch movies.
Do you watch it anytime?
Yes. When the TV is on. When everyone is watching.
You don't go to the theatre?
Oh, no! I'm not allowed. It's just been six months since he died. I can only go out after a year.
Sigh! This is the year 2016. You sound like you live in the 50's. Will you listen to me?
I can listen to you. I like the way you helped my children in the temple. They listened to you. That's why i came to ask for your help.
Firstly let me talk to your parents. They cannot tie you down like this. What will happen to you after them? How will you survive alone?
I never thought of it... It's scary.
Your parents are old. You have three children. You already are facing problems with your children. You must sort out your life.
What should i do? Please tell me what i can do.
It's not going to be easy. Everything takes efforts. You understand?
Yes.
There is a long list of things to be done. If you follow what I'm saying you can make important changes. Slowly you can start living independently.
Okay. I will try to follow what you say.
Now let's go sort out your son's problem. I will follow you but you are going to talk to the headmaster okay?
Okay.
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