HE, my tiny little heart, asked me,
Hey woman, Are you free?
Are you free to listen to ME,
follow ME, chase ME?
I, who was busy cooking and cleaning, replied,
I am not, but I am going to be,
Give me a few days then I’ll be free.
After a few days HE asked again
Are you free?
I, who was busy taking care of the home and the hearth, replied,
I am not, but I am trying to be,
Give me a few months then I’ll be free.
After a few months HE asked again, a little annoyed,
Are you free?
I, who was busy tending kids, replied,
I am not, but I want to be,
Give me a few years then I’ll be free.
After a few years HE asked being a little impatient,
Hey, Are you free?
I, who was busy raising kids,
Looking after my old in-laws,
Supporting my husband,
Making everyone happy in the family, replied,
I am not, but I wish to be,
Give me a few decades then I’ll be free.
After a few decades finally I got free,
Laying freely in my bed,
I waited eagerly for HIM to ask once again.
HE asked, just for the sake of asking,
Are you free?
HIS sad tone alarmed me.
Yes, I am.
I told enthusiastically
Trying to think positively.
But HE said sardonically
No use now. Time is over for you and ME!
I got frightened and checked in the mirror
I couldn’t recognize that old woman there
I put my hand on HIM to feel the beat
I could only hear a faint whisper.
HE, my tiny little heart, was beating sadly
A lifetime of neglect had made HIM unhappy
In fact, HE was just waiting to stop
To make me FREE for eternity.
I patted HIM gently and consoled HIM.
Ok. No problem dear heart!
May be, I’ll be free to follow YOU
and chase YOU
and do whatever YOU want me to do,
in my next birth.
Till then YOU wait, be patient.
HE, my tiny little heart, fluttered,
heaved a deep sigh and uttered,
“Oh, these women!
Women will be Women!”
Ilustrasi oleh Adhitya Pattisahusiwa
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