Cupcakes and Heartbreaks

Kannika “The one who loves the least, controls the relationship” Shresta declared pompously. Her red framed cat eye spectacles were sliding down her aquiline nose as she examined her sketch, her head tilted to one side while both her hands held up the paper. A strand of chocolate brown hair which had come undone from her bun fell softly on her high cheekbones. She pursed her lips, put the paper down on the table and looked at Kannika who had posed the question. Pushing the red frame up her nose with her long manicured nails which were covered in red nail paint she said “It does not matter if the person is a man or a woman, the one who cares less always controls the relationship”. “Maybe that applied before the marriage but after the marriage, the husband and his clan control the relationship” said Lakeisha. Lakeisha, who was only recently married, was grappling with her new found identity while trying to not lose herself. “Oh honey! Don’t worry. The in-law situation will not matter so much after about three months. The real power dynamics will emerge after that. Make sure it swings in your favor” winked Shresta while patting Lakeisha’s thigh. “I don’t know about that. In all the cases that I have seen it is the men who control the relationship and I am sure the situation is going to be the same no matter how many months pass” Lakeisha rolled her beautiful doe eyes which were outlined with kohl. She wore a round red bindi on her forehead and sindoor at the parting of her hair. She looked every bit the part of a newlywed woman. The henna tattoo that she had applied as part of her wedding rituals was paling but still visible on her hands; the bangles took the attention away from her fading henna. She wore an intricately embroidered red and white Anarkali salwar suit. A small mangal sutra and beige pumps. “Nonsense. It’s we- who control the relationship. Women always have the final say. No matter how powerful, the man will always bow down to the woman in a relationship” said Prakruti taking a bite of her cupcake. Prakruti was a staunch supporter of the feminist movement and she refused to believe that she was inferior to men in any respect. So outright was her belief that she often overdid it and even considered that women were the superior s*x. Prakruti was a self-made woman. There was nothing that she could not do. If she found anything lacking in her she would take all measures to ensure that she filled the gap. She was pursuing her bachelors in medical science and was currently in her fourth year. She was the perfect combination of beauty with brains. She was wearing pale blue jeans and a maroon and navy blue checkered shirt. The door of the coffee shop opened at that moment and Dheya peeped in with her long curls billowing on her face due to the heavy wind outside. Shresta and Kannika waved at her furiously with huge grins plastered on their faces. Dheya grinned back closing the door and hurried over to the table where the girls were seated. She hung her tote from the chair and settled comfortably. She ordered a cappuccino and a cupcake. “So what are you girls talking about?” she asked as she wrapped her hands over the warm cup while picking up Shresta’s sketch. “Kannika started a discussion about ‘who controls a relationship’ and we were giving our opinions” said Prakruti. “The design looks good Shresta. Although I am not sure about the color combo” Dheya worked in a fashion magazine. Shresta who was passionate about starting her own clothing line after her graduation as a fashion designer valued Dheya’s opinion as she was closely associated with the fashion industry. “Hmmm….. You are right” Shresta pursed her lips again and sipped her coffee, leaving a red impression of her lips on the rim of the cup. “Have you got the cake Kannika?” Dheya asked. “I called them, the cake is ready. We will have to pick it up on our way” Kannika replied. “Cool” Dheya called for the bill as she sipped her coffee. Kannika was still wondering about the power dynamics in a relationship when Dheya said “As for your question, you need to only repeat one thing in your pretty little head my darling. ‘I control the relationship’ and then believe that you really do” “Hahaha I hope it was really as easy as that” said Lakeisha. “Anything is possible if you just believe” said Kannika waving her arms dramatically. They all laughed and headed out towards their cars.