Oh Woman! Who Are You?

Sehar talks about the women, who during lockdown are multitasking, managing work, family, home at the same time. An exclusive for Different Truths.

This column is dedicated to all my colleagues and friends, who are working round-the-clock to keep their homes safe, clean and well fed while also taking care of their professional commitments. This column is also for each homemaker, who has added responsibilities and yet meets them with grace and truckloads of strength.

It’s 11am in the morning, an ongoing conference call and a whistle blows in it’s fully glory. “Kiska cooker hai, bhai?” (Whose cooker is it?) “Mera yaar, subah ka nashta banaoun ya dopahar ka khaan kuch samjh nahi aata aaj kal…

It’s 11am in the morning, an ongoing conference call and a whistle blows in it’s fully glory. “Kiska cooker hai, bhai?” (Whose cooker is it?) “Mera yaar, subah ka nashta banaoun ya dopahar ka khaan kuch samjh nahi aata aaj kal, khair, (Mine friend,  should I prepare breakfast for the morning or lunch for the afternoon can’t figuee out these dats, anyway) so what how do we proceed with the plan, I am sure we will get a good response,” said a colleague, switching roles from a homemaker to a professional in 0.5 seconds.

Observing, listening, contemplating all at the same, I got my theme to write for this week.

As a daughter of a working woman, it wasn’t a new concept for me to see a woman balance the two worlds like a pro.  But the transition a women could make in just some milliseconds amazed me.

As a daughter of a working woman, it wasn’t a new concept for me to see a woman balance the two worlds like a pro.  But the transition a women could make in just some milliseconds amazed me.

As a married woman, the lockdown brought with it a new set of challenges for me  as well. It was the first time we were spending so much time indoors, an amateur at cooking and housekeeping skills, the day I received the society’s notification, “No maids from tomorrow,” (italics mine), my world seem to have come crumbling down. How am I ever going to manage?

As a coordinator for a group of schools, my jobs keeps me online all the time – cracking campaigns and strategies. The question was whether I should cook or type or think or talk?

But as days went by I was amazed at my own productivity levels. My day began with the yoga mat, I then I befriended the broom  and the mop, squeezed the scrubber with love as utensils clinked in the basin and chopped some veggies with delight and cooked them with excitement. As the clock struck 9, it was time to login and check some mails, do some video conferences, make those quick calls and plan the day ahead with my planner on the desk.

But as days went by I was amazed at my own productivity levels. My day began with the yoga mat, I then I befriended the broom  and the mop, squeezed the scrubber with love as utensils clinked in the basin and chopped some veggies with delight and cooked them with excitement.

“I agree ma’am we should do get going with this campaign, I am going to send you some videos  by tomorrow.”

It’s 5 o clock in the evening, another conference call and I can hear the utensils clink in the background. A mix of emotions stirs up within me …

“Oh Woman! Who are you?
Are you the lady I saw that day in the boardroom?
Or are you the homemaker I hear you today?
Or are you the amalgamation of both?
Has the Almighty made you this way?
Or have you adapted yourself to it?
Are you the Durga or the Khadija (RA) I read about?
Or Are you the women I met every day?
Oh Woman! You are but the most intriguing creating of the Lord!

Meanwhile, it’s 10pm….“I am done for the day,” said my text on the recent support group we created to express, share, scream and manage ourselves.

Meanwhile, it’s 10pm….“I am done for the day,” said my text on the recent support group we created to express, share, scream and manage ourselves.

“My sink is still full of dirty dishes from the morning, my son is on the floor throwing a

temper tantrum  and I am still on a call, God save me please! ” texted a single mother who works in client servicing.

Falling short of words, I looked into the phone screen, “Oh Woman! Who are you?”

Just a random call on a supposedly holiday  to a colleague – another mother managing child and work without a hand to help

“Ma’am did you see my email, when can we work on it?”

“Mumma you are making Biryani! Yay Biryani, Yay Biryani”

“Yes ma’am can we talk about it half an hour, as you can hear someone is super excited.”

Half guilty, a bit happy, a bit amused at the strength God gave women, I disconnected the phone.

Half guilty, a bit happy, a bit amused at the strength God gave women, I disconnected the phone.

Day 16

“I wish I could also go on a break like the earth is,” said an exasperated soul within me

A few minutes into the conversation, I am joined by a psychologist friend and we have an online musical evening, sharing songs, sharing lyrics and sharing the stress of being indoors together.

Day 20

“I also need someone to understand me” said a friend who is at home with two teenagers, husband and a pet.

“They are getting anxious and I don’t know what to say to them now that they know it won’t end anytime soon,” said the upset mother.

Should I tell her to calm down or should I tell her to just leave the day and go with the flow… ?

Should I tell her to calm down or should I tell her to just leave the day and go with the flow…?

Day 22

“Yes Sehar, I liked what you had sent but maybe we should debate a little more before going ahead with the proposal,”said my boss

While we heard my husband call me from a distance

“We can talk later if you are busy, I understand we are managing two worlds together within the same timeframe.”

With a few more minutes of conversation we end the call and her words keep resonating in my ears.

Women bosses are not always scary, they can also be supportive and friendly.  Breaking stereotypes.

Women bosses are not always scary, they can also be supportive and friendly.  Breaking stereotypes.

Day 26

“Sehar, I have recorded a video for my class tomorrow, this is a test video, please check,” said my aunt who has been an teacher ever since I knew she was my aunt.

“Wow Khala, good job, voice is clear and content is so good”

“Thank you this is a test video to encourage my colleagues, we are all not the same. Some of us are camera shy and some of us are not so technology friendly. But am glad we are learning new things”

A sense of pride fills me up, women in my family have always inspired me.

Over these 26 days of lockdown there are endless instances where I just felt overwhelmed seeing how women around me handling this phase with so much of strong will, grace and strength.

Over these 26 days of lockdown there are endless instances where I just felt overwhelmed seeing how women around me handling this phase with so much of strong will, grace and strength. This column is for each one of us to realise that within each one of lives a resilient human being, who is there to hold us up and keep us going.

To each woman, who carries two worlds on her strong shoulders, sending love, strength and gratitude.

Photo from the Internet