'Working against the greater good'
'Yes of course we must stand together for the greater good. Gender pay gap are the heights of inequality!' Dadi's rough voice had reached him, even before he stepped in through the double doors. Already feeling a headache coming, he stealthy walked up the stairs not wanting to catch Dadima's attention who was busy discussing on the phone, or her speech for that matter.
'Why was this even an issue?' he questioned aloud unbuttoning his shirt and flunking it over on the bed. Though he knew just exactly why, but then never really understood its purpose other than creating another fight between the two sexes. Yes, he too had seen the recent release of 'Understanding what is a gender pay gap?' by the Office for National Statistics, which caused such an uproar amongst many dignitaries in their society and country. The study suggested that 'on average men earn 18.4% more than women even with the same level of skills and qualifications'.
'Battle of the titans' Maan mocked shrugging out of his trouser and into a comfortable sweat pants. A salary is only as justified as the employee, irrespective of their gender. However, a HE is always more profitable and being a businessman he knew why? Combing back his hair, he stood in front of the mirror wasting time. Usually, he was a very busy man who didn't have the privilege of dilly dallying but at moments like this, it seemed time wasn't of essence. Exactly after a good half an hour, he decided to join Dadima downstairs. Taking his sweet time, he carefully descended rather than the usual rush trying to hear out for Dadi or any of her female talks.
'Now you make it, I've been waiting for so long' Dadi rolled her eyes seeing her only grandson sit down at the dinner table without a word, well he never spoke more than required. A trait, she both loved and hated; such an ambivalence could only be stirred by this man, Maan Singh Khuranna.
'How was your day?' she asked the customary question plating his food before spooning for herself. A hope urged through his being, for once the chances of a feminism combat seemed less. Woman had a tendency to drag matters, to stretch it like a rubber band creating such a big fuss as if it's a matter of life and death. Like how Dadi spoke of it for months, better word debate and even forced him to read useless articles. His 'one comment', just 'one wrong' statement at the Women Welfare charity had riled his Dadima so bad that till date he was still paying for it. Apparently, the world expected better of him, especially being the grandson of the honourable chairwoman of the Women's Welfare Organisation. Dadima had not only made him retract 'women are running the world by keeping the heirs coming' statement but also made him apologise publicly. Though, he found it funny but the people, more precisely the women didn't.
'It was good Dadi' he answered briefly after several elongated minutes, 'eat and go' was his motto. Already, Geet and him had a bit of a tussle on the matter in the afternoon and the last thing he needed was to do the same with Dadima that exact evening.
'That's nice' she commented and then both ate in silence. Once finished Dadima waited for Nakul to clear the table before leaving for the living room as Maan followed closely behind. He and Dadima hadn't conversed in what felt like ages, well at least no normal conversation if the article discussions were taken out of the equation. With an aim to simply relax, he sat beside Dadima as she started reading a journal.
'Beta are you tired?' Dadi asked taking off her glasses and then gently massaged his forehead helping him relax, a desolate smile ironing out onto his immaculate face.
'Hmmm dadi' he eased, directing her hands to the points above his eyebrows.
'So what have you decided about increasing the number of female staff at Khuranna construction?' she asked freezing her hands for a while as Maan's eyes shot open in exasperation
'What's there to think about? Currently we have no vacancy and even if we had, I shall advertise the role for all!' it wasn't what he said that annoyed Dadi but the way he delivered the message
'Maan you very well know about my initiative to raise awareness on the depletion of women in the construction industry. If things keep going like this, we would have no female architect, engineer or electrician in the future' she raged rolling the magazine in agitation, but what she heard next was a blow to her being a woman and her stance altogether
'Oh dadi these lucrative roles require charisma, diligence and resilience; which I'm afraid woman lack' as soon as he finished a whack made contact with his bare arm
'Ouch Dadima, what was that for?' he screamed rubbing his arm as Dadi stood in her full 5 feet form, looking dangerous as another hit flew his way; making him jump over the sofa in defence and look a little scared too.
'I'm sorry' he apologised within a few seconds and Dadi let go of with the makeshift stick allowing him breathing space
'So did you enjoy today's article?' Maan almost rolled his eyes hearing Dadi start her usual inspection, even after what transpired a few minutes. Did she forget that she attacked him like a madman? He was wise enough not to ask that out loud feeling heat radiating from his now slightly in pain arm.
'It was good' he answered, double thinking the answers as Dadi looked at him in suspicion and then settled on the sofa patting down the seat next to her, as if signalling him to seat beside her.
'Yeah right' he wanted to scoff but instead found his deceiving legs pull up next to his beloved Dadima. This lady was his only exception; maybe she was the sole reason why woman frustrated him so much?
'Maan' came the warning and he immediately tucked into his pocket, trying to fetch his phone where he took notes on the highly prestigious matter'.
'Though I didn't understand the intention behind the content, however I do realise at times woman are looked down or disregarded when they make the first move. Some men may appreciate it but most prefer the old fashioned way. That being said a career orientated woman is well perceived in society however she is still judged on her personal matters' he answered looking at his phone trying to sound stoic and business-like, he had realised very early in their so-called meets' to come across neutral, too much passion on this matter or rather say opposition was injurious to his health and unhealthy for their relationship. He had already been whacked for his wordily views and even ignored like a mite in the past.
'Maan but what do you think?' she enquired dismissing his political views and putting him on the spot
'Well Dadi, every girl or woman have their own personality and opinion. While some might be comfortable, others however may be shy, orthodox or simply too ignorant to the changing times. It's unfair to ask them all to change and ask a man out' he answered after several beats, mentally tapping his shoulder for such a good response.
'Though you are right but Maan I don't care about that, I want to know what you will do in such a situation?' Dadi continued, it was almost as if she was bating him in, trying to catch his backward thoughts
'For god sake' he uttered standing up to go, feeling extremely frustrated however was immediately pulled back down
'Well why would I care, dadi I'm clear I do not want to get involved with a woman' he finished as she threw in her weapons getting highly aggravated with his usual answer
'Fine what do you think about the pay gap?' she readdressed another matter while he groaned in agony, when would this test Maan against feminism' stop
'Well I agree, there's reasons why there is a huge difference firstly there is a shortage of male workers in certain sectors i.e. nursing and teaching so statistics were bound to be affected, and secondly higher positions are offered to men because once woman get married and they fall pregnant. Why would businesses want to pay for maternity leave, even if it is half the usual wage? I reckon it's a waste of resource and funds' he finished already regretting as Dadi gaped at him looking very bit appalled.
TRING TRING TRING
The phone rang breaking her dreadfully angry gaze and for once Maan wanted to thank the senior wackos Dadi hanged with, the same bunch of woman who have created the monster called Dadima.
'Yes sweetheart I'm fine, how are you?' he heard Dadi ask, smiling ever so proudly
'Dadi, who is it?' he asked already having an inkling of the caller
'Geet' she hushed with an icy glare
'OH Geet, Dadi pass me the phone I need to talk to her' he would have demanded but seeing how both the woman where annoyed he decided to ask rather patiently. Dadi was fuming mad and Geet had been rejecting his calls since afternoon, though he only called twice and even then his ego got bruised
'Beta she said piss off' Dadi sneered looking at his widening eyes and opened mouth. As she giggled away girlishly up the stairs, Maan regained his livid composure as the waves of shock dissipated into the cold surrounding.
Edited by DaftGirk - 7 years ago