A woman is a woman

by Joseph Anthony

As her seventeen-year-old daughter, almost dressed like a boy, stepped out of the house, Geetha called her husband Edwin and shouted “Look at this girl... always going out dressed like a Tom Boy... and you don’t take any interest in admonishing her!”

“Geetha, don’t get excited unnecessarily,” Edwin said with a smile, “Can’t you remember what my mother told you...almost twenty years ago?”

Geetha’s temper suddenly subsided and with a bewitched smile she went into the hall and dropped down in the deep sofa... her thoughts flashing back to those exciting days.

Classes

Edwin and Geetha were in the same school but in different classes. They were in love. They were able to meet only for a few minutes either before or after school. They never had the opportunity for long conversations. Edwin was yearning to have a long chat with Geetha.”

Their only consolation was the exchanging of letters which were neatly hidden in their text books and exchanging whenever occasions permitted. Once a girl in Geetha’s class who had become aware of Geetha’s ‘affair’, sneaked it to the Geography teacher... a lady in her forties and a strict disciplinarian. The next time she entered Geetha’s class for her lesson, without any warning she started checking the text books of all the students. She even pulled out the covers, but found no love letters hidden in any books, including Geetha’s which were double checked.

That evening Geetha told Edwin about the Geography teacher’s futile search. “Fortunately the letter you gave me today was safely hidden in my lunch box which she didn’t care to search. But Edwin, she will catch us one day, so let us stop this exchange of letters.”

“OK Geetha, but I am anxious to have a long chat with you.

“We have to discuss our future plans. Geetha, why don’t you come to my place tomorrow? Tomorrow is Saturday, You are free, aren’t you?”

Geetha was terribly taken aback by his request, “How can I come to your place? Won’t your parents assault me?”

“Don’t worry, Geetha. My father is away on business...only my mother is there, she is easy to tackle.

Only thing, you should come dressed like a boy! You did very well, dressed in your brother’s clothes, posing as an undergraduate, in the Fancy Dress Parade at the last Sports Meet. Just repeat it.”

“But what about my long hair?”

Head

“Simple, coil your hair and gather it on top of your head, pin it tightly and put on a hat or a cap.”

“OK. I’ll try”, Geetha consented.

The following morning Edwin told his mother that one of his classmates would be visiting him to get some help in his studies. He requested his mother to prepare a sumptuous lunch.

Edwin was restless. He was constantly peeping out through the window, towards their fate. Suddenly, Geetha appeared, not as a girl, but as a handsome boy.Edwin introduced her to his mother as Prem, and took her to his room. Both were engaged in a deep conversation, chatting their hearts out.

When it was time for lunch they were ushered to the table. Edwin’s mother served them. After lunch as Geetha stepped out to leave she heard Edwin’s mother calling her ‘Duva’. Geetha was shocked and started to shiver. Edwin’s face too became pale. But Edwin’s mother in a soft tone said, ‘Duva, the moment you entered our compound I knew you were a girl. No dress can change a woman into a man. A woman is a woman, despite all that. I have been keenly watching you both. You are two decent children. Let this not disturb your studies and your future. Duwa, you can come here at any time, but with your parents’ blessings. I’ll speak to them’.

Marks

Geetha and Edwin finished their school scoring top marks to enter the Peradeniya University. Geetha did Geography Special and Edwin studied Commerce. After graduation Geetha became a Geography teacher, and Edwin a Bank Officer. With the blessings of both families they entered the bliss of married life.

Their only daughter, Premalatha, has just completed her A levels and is waiting for her results. More prone towards the male side, she is rather very fond of going about in male garments.

As Edwin entered the hall Geetha fondly looked at him. “Yes Edwin dear, your mother was a wonderful woman. Her words still ring in my ears. The moment she called me ‘Duwa’, on that day, I expected her to come with a broom... But, she was a real mother... a real woman... ‘a woman is a woman. Nothing can change her’, she said. So will it be with our daughter too.”

“Hope, she’ll not come here one day with a boy dressed like a girl!” Edwin remarked.

The hall echoed with the laughter of both Edwin and Geetha.