ADVICE: AUNTIE AGNI.

Dear Auntie,

As a kid, I experienced abuse, which made me avoid men. Later, I used conservative religious ideology and radical feminism to justify this distance. I joined feminist groups online and watched injustices done by men in our society. I openly started protesting it, which made people assume that either I got rejected for proposals or had an abusive boyfriend. Later, when my parents started considering proposals, I told them - out of fear - that I don't want to get married. But then, I received love.

Although, the boys in my class are extremely sweet, appreciative and helpful, I ghost anyone who compliments me on my beauty. There's a teacher who has suddenly started acting weird after I told him he was my ideal. For instance, he insists I should text him, stares at me, etc. Once, after class, he came up to me and asked me what I'd like to be. I replied, 'Engineer.' He said he won't stop his engineer wife from working. Eventually, I wrote him a letter anonymously and suggested he read it. I hinted at his transgressions but noted he was a good teacher. Except for such cases now, I generally think there are many good men too.

My new experiences have changed my opinions about men, but I'm afraid people will call me a 'hypocrite'. Also, I'm not smart enough to judge men's intentions. I don't want my awkwardness to create hurdles in my future life. Any advice for me?

A Girl.

'I changed my mind about men but I don't want to be accused of hypocrisy'

Dear Girl,

Can I tell you something? Those who gossip and talk about others are already talking about you. They are likely talking about your religious and feminist points of view and how radical they think you are. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with their compulsion to discuss and criticise others. They have nothing better to do with their time. Instead of fearing their opinion of you, you...