Not Strange - Unique

Have you ever felt or has someone made you feel that you are strange and different from others? Anika would like to tell you that you are unique!!!

Anika was getting ready for her tuition classes, as usual, following her daily routine. She is a student of class 12th and as always happens with her she reached before the time for tuitions(She is time-bound and doesn't like to be late at any hour). While waiting for her so-called 'friends' to come and time for her classes to begin, she just sat over her bike( I know you got surprised it is our default mindset, yes she owns a bike), and just saw a girl being scolded by her mother. She listened to their conversation to find the reason for the conflict. Her mother was scolding her, "What's the need to drive bike can't you use any other two-wheeler? Why every time you want to hear my lecture about wearing 'good' clothes..." She snapped back, "But why can't I ride a bike, what's the problem with it? Clothes, are these bad clothes, why every time you want me to wear those gowns and kurtas? Can't I wear clothes I am comfortable in?...." Her mother was furious and replied," Log kya kahenge, Why you are not normal like other girls? You don't like make-up so I don't force you much but now you are crossing your limits..." Their conversation cum fight was going on till someone came to pick them up. Also, while going the girl's mother gave Anika an angry look as if she has committed a crime by riding a bike. This incident left an impact on her and she realised how this girl was representing a part of herself. She nostalgically remembered and suddenly all of her experience flashed before her eyes...

"Anika! what are you wearing we are going for a party and you are wearing jeans and t-shirt, if you are wearing this I am not going to take you with me for the party, stay home or change." Without giving any reply she changed her clothes, wearing evening gown (the unwanted birthday gift) though uncomfortable for her family's happiness. She knew that they would always want her to be happy and look good but her inner self was unhappy and uncomfortable. It happened almost every time she went out with her family. She yearned to wear comfy clothes probably her WWE and Avengers t-shirts, which she got after months and months of request. It was not like her family forced her to wear that but the situation and mood of all would change in seconds and she was a positive person, she didn't like conflicts so she did what she thought was good according to the situation.

She remembered how she hated annual gatherings in school just because of all the heavy makeup one needs to do. She remembered how everyone bullied her because she was different and didn't fit their standards of a normal girl or a normal person. She is a bibliophile and loves to improve herself and tries hard to inculcate what she learns from each book and behaves in a certain different way as compared to teens of her age, compared to others of her age because she has become more understanding and positive. Next thing was she was critical and opposed many stereotypes and orthodox thinking of society, who didn't accept her and many like her who don't meet their standards as normal beings.

Though her family members supported her, many others forced her to change her thinking and dream of becoming a cricketer. She always retaliated these thoughts in mind and concentrated on her dreams. Next thing was she scored good and without rattafication( rote learning) which everyone thought. When she got any prize or award everyone would contribute her success to rote learning which she left years ago and focused on smart studying. Everyone in one or the other way tried to pull her down but she stood strong for her dreams. Friends entered her mind and she remembered all events and breakdowns she faced because of them, from 5th standard onwards all would be against her for no reason. She tried hard to be nice and be friends with all but no matter what she did they always behaved properly with her as long as they needed her help. She remembered sitting alone in class and watching everyone chatting and having fun with friends. She remembered how her family supported her most of the time and picked her up during the time she faltered.

'Anika!!!!' This voice suddenly broke her mind movies and she was carried back to the real world. Her 'friends' were calling her as the classes have started and she was late for the first time. She rushed towards the class with a strong Anika who was capable of handling all situations. She was proud to be unique and as she moved towards the class she felt more confident and happy about being unique and not like others. The only words she could hear were- You are not strange, you are unique...