Enough of Double Standards
Words 100
“Belated happy birthday!” Shipra greeted Deeksha.
“Thanks.”
“How did you celebrate?”
“We didn’t. We are still in mourning.”
“Oh I am sorry.” Shipra offered her condolences. “Last year too you couldn’t celebrate as your father-in-law was unwell.”
“Yes.”
“It must be over six months since he passed away?”
“Yes.”
“Yet your husband attended his cousin’s wedding last week?”
“It wouldn’t have looked nice if he hadn’t gone.”
“So only you’re expected to mourn?”
“That depends.” Deeksha said. “As I am integral part of their family, they made sure I participated actively in the wedding festivities soon after my father’s death.”
***
Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Bjorn for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Stories and more 
That ended really sad. Harsh reality tho. Nicely written
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Thank you Ravi for your kind comment.
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So true. When my uncle passed away his daughter(My cousin) was forced by her husband to attend a wedding a few days later.It was a very upsetting time for us.
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How awful. I appreciate your sharing it.
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Double standards indeed. A sad situation.
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Thanks for reading.
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Double standards indeed. A story played out in many households where women are expected to conform to standards that do not apply to the men. Nicely done.
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Dear Dahlia,
This one made me bristle. We have double standards here, too. Perhaps not as pronounced, but they’re there and I’m tired of them. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle I am tired too…enough is enough
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Hypocrisy….one does come across it….well written…
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Thanks Mayuri
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so imaginative, Dahlia! It’s hard to do a story in 100 words. Kudos!
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Thanks Theresa this one just sort of wrote itself.
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You are good at the craft, Dahlia!
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You are too kind Theresa 🙂
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I hate double standards. Nicely worded post.
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Thanks Russell
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The world is full of double standards between the sexes, rich and poor and so on. Nicely done.
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Thanks Iain
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Made me so sad for Deeksha especially since her story is so relatable. I admire how you took out a page from our society and it’s practises and turned it into a powerful story. I hope things change sometime soon .
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Thanks Moon for your lovely comment I hope so too
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I know just enough about India’s customs to be thankful not to have been born a woman there. I’m sure it’s not that repressive for every woman, but it can be very hard for many. Great story, well written.
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Yes, not bad for everybody but for more than enough to demand a change and soon. Thanks a lot Linda
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One rule for him, an other for her.
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Yep that’s the way it is…Thanks for reading!
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Very well written story!
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Thanks Amy 🙂
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Grrr! And grrrr!
Dahlia, keep on fighting the good fight. I really admire your campaigning zeal!
That’s another good story you’ve written.
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Thanks a lot Penny 🙂
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What a chilling inequality in this… not even mourning can be shared. It’s a duty just for the wife.
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Thank you Bjorn.
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Awesome writing…loved the story, though the reasoning is terribly hurting and true indeed….loved the way you showed the truth.
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Thanks Jyotsna
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Anna Karenina all over again… He can go about town and enjoy himself while she is locked in by society’s standards… Ugh. Enough already.
But well written 😉
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Thanks Dale!
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Sad .Married Women it seems are part of family to follow tradition only .No identity of their own
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Sometimes it does feel like that. Yet things are changing albeit slowly. Thanks for visiting
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A good story well told, highlighting a massively important issue. Well done.
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Thanks a lot Jilly 🙂
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A powerful story Dahlia. Thanks for writing it.
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Thanks Susan for your lovely comment 🙂
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Great story. Double standards suck.
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Thanks a lot Lisa 🙂
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You brought out the difference in what a married woman has to adhere to in our ‘traditional’ Indian families where it doesn’t matter what happens to the girl’s side of the family, because obviously, it’s the boy’s side who’s brought up, educated, fed and cared for the girl since inception. I hate this aspect of Indian families. Hate it, hate it, hate it!
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Me too grrr and more grrr. But I wonder if it only restricted to Indian families? A better family structure is definitely and urgently needed.
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I can’t say about other nations but Indian families definitely do suffer from it. And yes, we desperately need a family system overhaul
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How about drawing up a revised/upgraded master-plan?
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LOL! And who’s gonna do that?
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You and I. Hum kissi se kam hai kya?🤓😁
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Done! Let the transformation begin
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Toh kya plan hai? Draw a wish list?🤔
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😂 done! Let the transformation begin!
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🤝👍
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Double standards indeed!!!…and sad part is it’s just tip of the iceberg…
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Exactly. Grrr and more grrrr 😉
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