Fate of an Accomplished Girl

She woke up with so much enthusiasm, anticipation, and joy. It was the day her dreams were going to be true. The fresh morning breeze was filled with excitement and essence of her dreams. She breathed the fresh air and felt relieved. It was the day she was going to graduate, it was her convocation ceremony. She chose her best dress to wear for the special day. She was ready, looking so beautiful and gorgeous as she had never looked before. She started revising the speech she was going to deliver as the highest achiever, the best student. She read it aloud in front of the mirror and felt confident. The last thanking words were for her parents and she would say these and surprise them in front of everyone. The most beautiful moment for her was just about to start.

She had already received so many job offers. She knew which one of them she was going to accept. She knew that she would become a lecturer. Meanwhile she would also work as a women’s rights activist. She would motivate her students to pursue their dreams. She always wanted to be a source of help and inspiration for others, particularly for girls who are in dire need of that. She was thankful to her parents because it was only possible because of them.

She was so excited that she was not able to have breakfast. Laughing and smiling, she along with her parents arrived at college. She was shivering with joy when she entered the great hall. The ceremony began, the chief guest arrived, and soon the degrees and gold medals were distributed to the position holders and then it was her turn. She was called to the stage in the chanting slogans of her class fellows and the claps of the audience. She gained strength and started her speech on the importance of women’s education and work. She added, "I am standing here because of my parents, they always stand by me, they make me believe in me, they make me feel that I can do the impossible, they are my backbone and whenever I fall down they make me stand.”

It was the most amazing day of her life. Her teachers congratulated her parents, they were so proud, she could tell by looking into their eyes.

They came back home, she was excited to tell her parents about the job offers and her future plans that she had in her mind for so long. As she approached her dad and mom, they told her how proud they are and that they had decided something for her for her own betterment. They told her that they have found someone for her, who is of her age and has a respectable job. They also said that he earned so much that she would never have to do a job and be stressed about monetary issues, he owned a house and have no family so he would be a perfect match. Her qualification matches best to his, and having him as her future husband will be so helpful for her. She was numbed with this shocking news; her feet were hard to move, she felt she could not breathe any more, she could not feel any joy any more, and the smell of the fresh air was gone. Her joyous tears were now replaced by tears of grief, and she found herself totally confused. She thought her parents were supporting her because it was her right to get education, not so that she could merely get married to some rich person. She thought her parents were with her because they wanted her to accomplish her dreams, but wait a second, they didn’t want her to do the job, and it was just to find the right match.

Why do girls have to meet such a fate? If you think that she did not deserve this, then why do you choose the same for your own daughters? Have you ever questioned that? Have you ever thought of her dreams, her desires, and her right to do what she wants? Education is the right of every human being – a girl or a boy. Most importantly a girl needs education for her self-esteem; so that she can recognize her potential and can distinguish between right and wrong.