Abir sat on a corner bench in the park where they usually met during their week off. He anxiously waited for Sweta, his sweetheart of fifteen years. However, Sweta didn't show up; instead, her WhatsApp message left Abir astonished. He couldn't believe his eyes when he read what Sweta demanded in her message.
For over two years, they both held jobs in their respective fields, regularly meeting in this park during their week off. However, today, she surprised him by demanding a "Love Tax" in her message.
Abir and Sweta initially crossed paths at a business college, quickly falling in love. Despite pursuing different courses, they respected each other's ideologies and eventually secured jobs aligned with their skills.
Abir's dedication paid off with a well-deserved promotion, securing a monthly salary of 30,000, while Sweta continued with her 10,000 salary. They had never discussed their earnings until Sweta encountered Sananda, a social influencer creating YouTube videos on women empowerment and feminism. Sweta's perspective underwent a significant shift after watching Sananda's videos, leading her to demand a Love Tax from Abir.
Abir observed her transformation over the past few months. During their park meetings, her voice advocating for equality and women's empowerment echoed consistently. Despite his numerous attempts to clarify that Sananda's interpretation might not align with the realities of their society, Abir couldn't sway Sweta's strong influence. She remained steadfast in her belief, fully embracing Sananda's perspective.
Sweta, as the sole breadwinner for herself and her mother, found herself in need and demanded a Love Tax of 10,000 rupees per month from Abir. This financial support was crucial for running their household. Meanwhile, Abir, the main earner in his family, bore the responsibility of providing for his parents and three younger sisters. Both faced unique family dynamics, highlighting the complexities that influenced their perspectives on financial matters.
Abir faced a dilemma, grappling with the challenge of providing for five family members with his current salary. In contrast, Sweta's family consisted of only two members, adding complexity to the decision-making process.
Abir, speaking to himself, wondered, "How can she be so selfish? Why isn't she aware of my situation?"
Feeling compelled to address the situation, Abir made the decision to call Sweta. His intention was to communicate that her demand lacked a valid foundation and contradicted the genuine principles of both women's empowerment and feminism. In his perspective, Sweta had become a victim of misguided influence from certain social influencers, prompting him to seek a conversation to clarify and understand each other's viewpoints better.
In an attempt to clarify his perspective, Abir called Sweta, but she didn't pick up the call. Abir grew increasingly aware of Sweta's ongoing health issues spanning several months as the cause of not picking up her phone. Despite his persistent advice urging her to prioritize rest after returning from work, Sweta opted to spend her free time watching videos from the influential figure Sananda. This choice seemed to conflict with Abir's recommendations for her well-being, adding a layer of complexity to their situation. One of her female colleagues introduced Sweta to the influencer, Sananda.
Before viewing Sananda's toxic videos, Sweta had a different philosophy. Her perception of feminism was entirely different back then. They used to celebrate the successes and achievements of both men and women with equal enthusiasm. They never differentiate between male and female students. Abir recalled the joyful celebration they shared when the women's hockey team achieved success.
"How have certain social influencers altered our society? Why are they misleading our women?" These questions lingered in his thoughts. His daydream was abruptly interrupted by the vibration of his mobile phone. Glancing at the screen, he saw Sweta's name flashing. Without a moment's hesitation, he answered the call.
"Sweta, are you okay?" Abir's voice resonated with genuine concern for her well-being.
"I'm fine. I want to know your decision regarding my Love Tax," Sweta maintained her firm stance.
"My salary isn't sufficient to support my whole family. While you and your mother are two members, I have the responsibility to provide for my parents and three younger sisters, covering expenses like education fees, electricity bills and monthly groceries etc. How can I afford to pay such a significant Love Tax? I never demand any kind of financial support from my side. What is the meaning of this new nonsense?" Abir explained his financial constraints and expressed his confusion about the concept of the Love Tax.
"You engaged in intimate relations with me, without the commitment of marriage. You have to take responsibility for this. If boys can have physical relationships and toy with girls' emotions, why not compensate them monthly for their actions? Our bodies and emotions are not free of cost," Sweta's voice resonated with rebellion.
Abir was bewildered for a moment, struggling to comprehend if he was speaking with Sweta or someone else. Feeling indirectly accused, he composed himself and responded calmly.
"I did engage in consensual intimacy with you, not forcefully. If you have a claim on your body, what about my body and emotions? You participated in the same actions. Why don't you consider compensating me for your part in this?" Abir asserted with intensity in his response.
Sweta had never received such a response from Abir in the past; he had always been supportive in every aspect. This unexpected reaction left her silent. Abir, realizing her misconceptions, attempted to bring back his previous supportive demeanour one more time. He sensed the strong influence Sananda had over her.
"Please, Sweta. This is India. Men and women live here together in harmony. For some of us, we can't change our culture. This is the time we need to stand united against those who are trying to mislead us," Abir's plea was accompanied by his tears.
"You all are the same. Dominating us since the Middle Ages. We've learned to live independently. We demand power and equality in this patriarchal society. Either you pay me Love Tax, or I seek separation," Sweta's voice reflected a dominating attitude.
Abir's final attempt to make her aware of the influence of toxic influencers proved futile once again. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he grasped the reality that he would never regain his sweetheart due to the shift in her mentality. Wiping away his tears, he responded with unwavering resolve.
"In the rich cultural tapestry of India, significant strides have been made in supporting women's empowerment and feminism. Looking back in history, we find powerful women like Rani Lakshmibai, Matongini Hazra, Indira Gandhi, and Kiran Bedi, all of whom are still highly respected by every man.
India has implemented laws addressing critical issues such as dowry, domestic violence, and workplace harassment, actively combating gender-based discrimination and violence. Moreover, efforts have been directed towards enhancing female literacy rates.
The goddess Durga is revered by every Indian as a symbol of women's empowerment.
However, amidst these positive developments, there is a dilemma. The influence of biased speeches from a few social influencers and some Bollywood celebrities has permeated our society. Despite the respect we hold for our historical figures and the progress made in empowering women, we must navigate through conflicting messages that challenge our cultural values."
Sweta remained silent on the other side of the phone. She couldn't find words to argue back against Abir. Sananda's influence on her made her stick to her demand. Abir waited for her to say something, but her silence showed she was sticking to her decision. In the end, Abir decided he couldn't change her mind.
"You'll always remain in my heart. One day, you'll awaken from these illusions. I'll wait for you. But I'm unable to pay you Love Tax. God bless you." With that, he ended the call, sinking into a profound solitude.
