One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat

‘Yeah, why not? Isn’t that fair? Giving women the choice?’ Debu said.
‘No. It is still unfair. Because here’s the deal. You know what women really want? We don’t
want to choose. We want to fly and we also want a beautiful nest. We want both. Do male birds tell
female birds to choose? “Hey honey, choose. Either fly or sit in the nest.”’
‘I don’t get it. Really,’ Debu said. Even Neel looked confused.
‘From a man’s perspective, men want a career, right? In general?’
‘Yeah,’ Debu said.
‘Men want sex, right? No judgement, but they want sex, right?’
‘Yeah,’ Neel said.
I collected my thoughts before I spoke again.
‘Let’s say, in the name of male rights, men are given a choice. Come on guys, choose. You
want a career? Go for it, just give up sex. Oh, you want sex? Just worship women all day and give up
your career dreams. So choose, we are giving you equal rights. Choose now. Sex or career?’
‘Sorry but that is a ridiculous choice to make,’ Neel said.
‘Exactly, Neel. It is indeed a ridiculous choice. Just as ridiculous as the choice given to
women—fly or nest. You want and get both. But a woman must choose?’
I had three sips of coffee before Neel had something to say.
‘I get it. Women want everything. To have a lovely home and be a great mother. To also have a
chance to shine in their careers,’ Neel said.
‘Not all, maybe, but for many, yes,’ I said.
‘How is it practically possible? Career means long office hours. Home means kids,
responsibilities,’ Debu said.
‘Exactly! Have you thought why it’s not practical?’ I said.
‘Why?’ Debu said.
‘Because men designed this world. They decided office timings, 9 to 6, five days a week.
Women weren’t in the workforce then. They are now. These office timings work well for men. They
don’t work for mothers, for instance. What are we going to do about it?’
‘We as in us three?’ Debu said.
‘No, we as in the whole world,’ I said. ‘When will we say, let’s rejig this to ensure it works
for women? Forget rejig, when will we even acknowledge the issue?’
I paused to catch my breath, then leaned forward as if to listen to them. Debu finished his
orange juice in one quick swallow.
‘You have a point. Conceded. I didn’t realize your strong need to have a family too. That is
why I made a mess last time,’ Neel said.
‘I imposed my notion of motherhood on you. Ignored your desire to have a good career
alongside. But forgive me and come with me. I will support you,’ Debu said.
‘No,’ I said, my voice coming from somewhere deep within me.
‘You are making the right choice with me, Radhika,’ Neel said.
‘No, Neel, not with you either.’
‘What?’ he said.
I checked the time. It was 5.28.
‘I am not coming with you, or with you. There are fundamental things about both of you that
won’t change. Debu, you say you will be supportive, but the fact that you couldn’t handle even a bit of
my success means it’s an intrinsic part of you. You can’t change that. And I plan to be a lot more
successful than what you saw. So, sorry, no.’