Today, Sia pinged me again. She wanted to book a room to spend time with her boyfriend.
She had contacted us for three days in a row now… I jokingly asked her to take a monthly package…
Her voice went quiet, the enthusiasm vanished. I wondered if my joke could hurt too bad! I apologized to her, and reassured her that everything was ok 🙂
She whispered from the otherside:
I want to talk to you Nidhi Auntie, can I share something with you?
She sounded unsure and hesitant. I told her to pour her heart out…
…She told me,
I think Anirudh is ashamed of going out with me. We have hardly ever hung out together since he proposed. He always insists on either catching up at either of our homes, which is rare for obvious reasons or I have to book a room. The other day I forced him to take me out for dinner. He took me to a shady Chinese restaurant in Eastern part of the city- the part I hate the most. Looking around sitting in the restaurant, I realized people there were either cheap or with someone they were probably scared to meet publicly.
I tried to cheer her up.
Her words, however, remained stuck in my head throughout the day. I kept wondering what might be bugging Anirudh?
Sia is one of the nicest girls I know. Co-incidentally, Anirudh connected with me the same night, giving feedback of the great time they had.
During the conversation I prodded Anirudh, gently to talk more about their relationship.
He candidly shared, that he wasn’t confident to meet Sia with a group of friends whether his or hers.
Curious, I inquired for the reason… he said, his voice low, “it’s because she is FAT. All my exes have been very smart and sexy.
I love Sia, and I cherish the time we spend together. But, I am afraid to introduce her to my friends.” Shocked, I asked him to think it through: Do what others think really matters? Isn’t her happiness above all the narrow judgement and biased opinions?
He agreed. And told me he’ll welcome the New Year with her partying together with all their friends!!! Tonight, I shall sleep in peace.
Doston, stop body shaming.
High time me realize that our bodies have been gifted to us by nature.
We have little control on how fat, skinny, short or dark we are. Let us start looking beyond. And loving each other for who we are instead how we look.
PS: Names have been changed for privacy. The story has been shared with couple’s consent.
Here is a video that highlights how being judged continuously shatters us:
