The woman next door.

It was Sunday morning, beautiful weather, cool breeze through the trees. She woke up and lazed over the balcony wondering what a gifted day it was after a hard week at work. That's when she saw the woman next door who was just back after dropping her kids to their gymnastics classes.

She waved at the woman, "Good morning, what plans for the day?" The woman smiled back, "Guests from his office are coming over, have to make a lot of preparations, got to go!"

She sighed as she walked back in, what a blessed life the woman next door had- she was highly educated, but she had a hectic schedule at home and didn't have time to work elsewhere, from getting her kids ready for classes to preparing for parties with her husband, to going to tours abroad, she had it all. She was smiles all the time and couldn't be happier when her husband smiled back at her after the evening party at their home.

What more could she want, she yearned- a loving husband, pretty daunting kids, house always filled with friends and relatives, not even a hint of depression or loneliness, a perfect family.

She looked at herself and lamented at her accomplishments, an astounding degree, an esteemed job, extravagant pay, a luxurious house, she was beautiful inside and outside, she could do what she wanted now, but she was alone. Loneliness and depression haunted her day and night. She craved for a family like the woman next door.

Meanwhile, after the guests left and the party, the woman was back in a bedroom relieved from her husband's smile which was proof that everything went well, she rested, but wasn't at peace. Deep inside their picture perfect life, there was a dark world that killed her each day. Though they were all smiles in front of everyone, they hardly talked to each other at home. She wanted to establish her career but her husband was only interested in his, and though she was highly educated, she wasn't allowed to work because reasons. She didn't like his parties but went anyway for her husband. Her kids were growing up with no regard for her and she wondered who was she sacrificing all this for?

The woman yearned for a life as successful as her neighbour. She was educated, had an exciting job, good pay, had a big house, wasn't married or had any kids, she was single. She could pursue her dreams with no boundaries, no one to stop her and question her. She was free.

The woman wondered when would she be able to free herself from the shackles of her homely pretentious life. She thirsted for love and freedom.

These women lived their lives but craved for the one next door.

They didn't know the dark realities of their neighbours' life.

Had they known would they still have been envious?

Would they still crave for it?

This shows how harsh women's lives are.
Whether married or not, a woman is always expected to give up something to get what she wants.
But does she deserve it?
They say- "Kuch Paane ke Liye Kuch Khone Padta Hain", "No Pain, No Gain"!
But men aren't expected to give up anything for the sake of marriage or career, then why us?