13-year-old Kanika Vazirani has been body shamed by friends and relatives, but she’s got enough spunk to feel fabulous and flawless
Being an overweight teenage girl is never a pleasant experience. My dad calls me ‘obesity’, and mum calls me ‘roly poly’. My friends call me names like ‘lardo’ or ‘fatass’ behind my back. My school desk co-partner is a lanky fellow, who always has to fight for some writing space on the desk. Yes, I confess that I have been overweight since childhood, everything about me has been large — my clothes, my food, and my enthusiasm to talk. I am constantly bombarded with suggestions every waking hour of my life — check your appetite beta, indulge in portion control, have hot water with a squeeze of lime and a spoonful of honey, play a sport. Usually, I nod my head in agreement, make a few tall promises and once my well-wishers disappear, I order my double cheese margherita with garlic bread and choco lava cake. You see, I have struggled with weight issues from childhood. I have been ridiculed by strangers and admonished by well-wishers. It hurts but I have become thick-skinned and learned to laugh, it works like magic. Perhaps I am a little shameless too. I am 13, but I look 16 already. I always dread shopping for clothes. It’s a harrowing experience. I allow myself to take at least some pride in the fact that I am a topper of my school, but for my parents, my stellar success sometimes gets buried in negative comments like “Fatty, phir se first aa gayi”. I have always been a victim of body shaming, and it has only got worse recently with my ever-increasing size. But, food is my love and life, and nothing can ever change that. A large-size cheese burger gives me warm comfort and keeps me alive and kicking. I believe that my body is just a repository for love and I have a lot of love to give to the world. I tell myself that I am flawless and fabulous and I am ready to conquer the world.
(The author is a student at Maneckji Cooper School, Juhu, Mumbai. She is a self-confessed bibliophile who loves a cup of hot Hershey’s syrup and a packet of Lays. She is loved by her wonderful teachers without any terms and conditions.)
This piece was submitted by our teen reader.
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