Broke open

Did I hear right?

I leaned closer to hear the verbal fight at the table 

close to mine 

"How dare you criticize 

my parents? You have crossed the boundaries 

expected of a wife?" 

The man in the blue shirt 

spoke with a stern voice 

to the lady sitting across 

in Jeans and cropped top.

Her dimpled cheeks filled 

up with tears, with a choked voice she replied 

"So, it's okay for them 

to hurl abuses at my 

parents and except me 

to keep quiet? Sorry you

got that wrong. I will speak 

my mind as long as my 

parents are dragged into 

conversations arising from 

the dowry shortfall".

Chest heaving, she stormed out the door.

I couldn't help but smile 

and admire the pluck 

of this child and said to 

myself 'Atta girl...you 

deserve a round of applause.