Author's POV
~~2 weeks later~~
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
A scream echoed through the cafeteria of the college.
Avni and Rakshit ran to see Ekantika fuming in anger holding a boy by his collar whose cheek was red as if someone had slapped him hard.
"Kya hua? Ched na ab us ladki ko? Fcking bastard!" Ekantika left him and he stumbled a bit.
She landed another slap on his other cheek which resulted in him falling near a girl's feet.
"Maafi mang is ladki se!" Ekantika spoke, her voice too calm yet too deadly.
"S-s-sorry abse kisi ladki ke aas paas bhi nhi aaunga." He apologized and stood up to leave.
"Did I tell you to leave from here?" Hearing her voice, he stopped in his tracks.
"Thappad maaro isse! Jitne jhor se maar sakti ho maaro tabhi tumhare andar ka darr nikalega!" She told the girl who was clutching her duppata.
The girl hesistantly moved forward and landed a harsh slap on his face.
"Chalo ab aur tum first and final warning warna next time FIR hogi!" Ekantika warned that guy and walked away with that girl as the crowd cheered for her.
Kya hua? Yahi soch rhe ho na itna change kaise?
From the past 2 weeks, Ekantika was stubborn to let go of her past self and be a better version of herself.
With consistent self defence practice, workout sessions and strict diet, she had grown even more stronger.
She had a new found courage in her. The ongoing therapy sessions with Vaishali helped her gain confidence.
Now she didn't hesistate standing up for herself. She knew if anything would happen her brother would be there to support her.
With that belief in him and herself, she rised shiner and brighter.
She participated in debates, MUNs, speeches, etc. and put forward her vision and thoughts in front of people without much hesistation.
Right now, she was in her gym with Agastya.
"Bhaiya listen! Sit there, I wanna try doing bench press with you sitting there just to test my strength!" She said determined.
"Bachaa lekin aaram se Oki?" He spoke as he sat on that platform.
"Haan haan don't worry!" She took a deep breath and with all her strength started doing the bench press.
"Aree bhaiii mujhe to laga tha Jaan nhi hogi lekin you are lifting this along with me so well." Agastya was stunned as he watched her doing it effortlessly.
"Bachke rehna aapko uthake patak sakti hun." She smirked as she completed her bench press and got up.
"Ji devi ji!" He bowed dramatically and then lifted her.
"But still I can lift you anywhere anytime. Tum dumbbell jitni hi ho!" He teased her a bit.
"Ayyy niche utaro yarr!" She lightly hit him and he left her as it was time for them to go back home.
Upon reaching home, Ekantika quickly freshened up as she had an online public speaking event.
She dressed up in a formal attire, combed her hair and sat in front of her laptop.
She joined her meeting and saw many other contestants.
It was a short speech speaking competition and her topic was "I chose my mother's surname!"
She waited for her turn to come.
"Next we have with us, Ms. Ekantika Mehra who is going to speak on the topic 'I chose my mother's surname'." The host announced and then muted herself.
Ekantika unmuted herself and began speaking.
"Good evening everyone! Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be here and present my thoughts. Well this time, this is not my thoughts. It is reality!
Not every girl born is her father's princess. And the prime example to this quotation is me and myself.
My father hated me! I never knew why. But I knew one thing, he was a terrible human being.
I didn't wanted to be recognised by the daughter of a pathetic man who abused and harrassed his own daughter. I didn't wanted his identity.
So I defied patriarchy! I chose my mother's surname. I chose to be Ekantika Sanya Mehra!
People questioned, disagreed, called me shameless but that's fine for me. Because what would have been more shamefull was me being associated to a man who stole my dignity for money.
I am not here speaking about my story to defame my father. I am here for every girl who wants to defy patriarchy but is hesistant.
When I made this decision, I was beaten up, threathened to death by my father and step mother, I was too broken that time. Yet somewhere in my heart, I had a flicker of confidence to not take this step back!
And now here I am confident, strong and more powerful than I ever felt in my whole life finally living happily with my brother from another mother.
When I look back, all I think is Idk how I got that ideo to defy him and change my surname yet i chose to do something for my self respect. I was too afraid of him yet i did this!
So girls, to whoever thinking you are less or weak, show them exactly what they fear! YOUR STRENGTH AND YOU! RAW AND REAL!
Thank you so much for listening to my story. That was it for today."
As Ekantika finished her speech, everyone clapped loudly. Judges were too proud and some girls even had tears glistening in their eyes.
The competition continued and soon the results were announced.
"And for the best speaker of the event, we have Ms. Ekantika Sanya Mehra! Give a huge round of applause for her!" The host announced.
"Ekantika your speech mesmerized us. You will be getting your E- certificate through your mail ID and your medal will be delivered at your address within 2 weeks." The judge congratulated her.
Ekantika thanked the judges and other contestants and finally the event was over.
She took a deep breath. She was feeling herself. She was feeling raw.
She happily went towards the living area and played the song "Patakha Gudi" feeling her new found feminine strength, dancing to the beats and singing the song.
She knew now her life would be how she wanted to be. Without fear. Without those hesistantion.
She immediately messaged Agastya : bhaiyaa I won the best speaker title for that speech on 'I chose my mother's surname'. Ma would be too proud na? Aapki wajah se jitna change aaya hai mujhme thank youuuuuu and come home soon!
She called Vaishali.
"Hello bhabhiiii I LOVE U I LOVE U I LOVE U!!!!!!!" She shouted in the phone as soon as Vaishali picked the call.
"Aree baby I love you too but hua kya?" Vaishali chuckled and asked her.
As Ekantika told her, Vaishali couldn't feel more prouder. "I am super duper proud of you baby keep shining like that meri tigress!"
"Thank you bhabhiii love you!"
"Love you too baby! Acha I gotta go I have a patient to attend!"
"Ok bhabhi b-byee!" She cut the call and took a deep breath.
"EKANTIKA SANYA MEHRA IS FINALLY HERE!!!!!!!" She said it out aloud grinning, feeling free from her past!
✨
Heyy guyss!!
To my girlies, pls defy patriarchy and be raw and bold!
Thank you so much for reading! Love you all and Mwahhh 💋 💋 💋 💋
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