Name: Qurrat-ul-Aen

Roll no: Eng22-06

Department: English

Semester: 7

Batch: 5

The Silent Rebellion

(A daughter’s story in the shadow of patriarch)

They said they loved her and she believed them.

But slowly, she began to notice that their love came with boundaries.
Every time she dreamed of something her heart desired,
the same people who promised her happiness reminded her to “stay within limits.”

Son spoke freely about his choices.

He could laugh, love, But she? She had to measure every word,
hide every emotion,
and pray that her silence would keep the peace.

They said they were protecting her

but from what? From the world, or from her own voice?

At night, she would stare at the ceiling,

remembering how her laughter used to sound before she learned to stay quiet.
How her dreams used to bloom before they were plucked in the name of respect.
And still, every morning, she smiled
because that’s what “good daughters” do.

She learned to carry her pain gracefully.

She learned that even silence can scream.
But deep within her heart, a question refused to die:
Why is a daughter’s dignity tied to her obedience,
while a son’s pride grows with his freedom?

The world might call her quiet, but her soul was not asleep.
Her silence was gathering strength
the strength to speak one day,

Message:
Patriarchy does not always break bones
sometimes it just breaks dreams.
But when one woman finds the courage to question,
she lights a fire in the hearts of thousands more.