Whose fault is it?

I was born with little soft hands

With big blue eyes you dream of

Had silky brown hair

With a touch of shine in them

Got blue t-shirts as gifts

And a lot many cars than teddy bears

Mumma would scold me for not scoring

Papa would hit me with his hand

And then they would act as a team

And take away my TV privileges

I would storm into my room

Only to hear loud voices outside

And return to a little hustle bustle

He would hit her for not being attentive

"Tum toh ghar par rheti ho"

She would blame her own negligence

As a tear would roll down my cheeks

They would team up to say

"Ladki ho kya Jo ro rhe ho"

I was conditioned and socialised

Into accepting anger as my catharsis

I was bashed for being fearful

And praised for being courageous

I was bullied for playing with the beads

And rewarded for asking for videogames

Baby sister was taught to ask for money

I was taught to provide her with it

It's my fault now you tell me

Where in that is what you taught me

-Aayushi Mittal