Do not enter

It was a regular Tuesday of August. It was raining heavily. I returned from the office, completely soaked in rain. The only thing on my mind was to change clothes and take bath. I entered my home to find out we have guests.

I found my aunt and uncle in the living room. It appeared they have come some time ago. I casually spoke with them and was about to rush to my room. That is when my aunt called almost screaming, "no don't enter the room".

I was startled. Why would someone restrict me to enter my room of my own home. I was too tired and wet to hold it back, "you startled me. What happened?"

"Rohit is in the room. He is attending a meeting. I don't want you to disturb him," she said as if she is the boss ordering me what to do. I looked at my parents, they did not make an eye contact with me. Then I looked at my uncle, suddenly he found his mug very interesting. The silence in the room was loud.

Maybe my aunt realised that she had said something inappropriate. She tried to smoothen out, "you know your cousin. When he is in the meeting he hates the disturbance. That is why I said." I still could not believe this was happening. Nobody tells me not to enter my room. I was not going to give up.

"Well, he is going to have to move whether he likes it or not. I need to change these clothes," I said pointing at my wet clothes and walked ahead. I did not need anyone's permission to enter my room.

I knocked on the door out of politeness, waited for a few seconds, and opened the door. My cousin Rohit was on the phone attending a meeting. He turned around, saw me, immediately got up, and left. While leaving he said "sorry" like he really meant it. I bathed in peace. I changed and came out to chat with the guests. By now I had forgotten the awkward exchange. I came out to see that they were leaving. It was almost 8:30 pm so it was fair time to leave.

Later my mother told me that my aunt got upset because I asked my cousin to leave the room. I was shocked to hear that. Before I could respond my mom accused me that I was rude to ask him to get out of the room. Now my anger was building up. Not only my aunt acted entitled but my mother was supporting her sister rather than her daughter. I was exhausted but I knew I had to speak up.

I said to my parents, "first, you should not have told Rohit to attend the meeting from my room. If he had work, he should have stayed home. Work does not give free pass to anyone's room. Second, I was wet. If I had not changed I would have caught cold. Third, nobody has the right to tell me not to enter my room, especially someone who does not stay here and does not contribute to the household. Aunt had no business bossing me in my own house. If she is offended she is the problem," I was fuming. I was made a villain for using my own room. Boundaries are alien to these people.

Later that evening, Rohit texted me. It read, "I am sorry. I did not want to attend the meeting from your room. My mom should not have told you to not enter your own room. These oldies do not understand boundaries. Now they are beyond the age to get taught."

I smiled and texted back, "thanks bro. It means a lot coming from you. Yes, our parents need a lesson or two on boundaries. Though I doubt if they would understand".

That is how the day ended for us with no bad blood and a strong need for boundaries.