‘You wake up, go to the bathroom and look at the mirror.’
I still remember these words what he
told to me that early morning after being together in mobile the whole night.
My mobile begged me several times over the night that it wants to sleep, but I
refused its request every time. Once the birds started to chirp and the light
started to fall on my window, we realized that our mobile were sick
and need to be given some rest for its body temperature to come down. Before
ending the call he made some fun telling those words as our eyes were sore and
looked bit tired.
I woke up and went to the
bathroom and looked at the mirror, though I looked a bit tired, the thoughts
and imaginations of meeting him that evening gave a false reflection to my eyes
and I felt within me that I am very fresh and exciting than any other day. That
was the day I was waiting for a long time and I was excited to see him in front
after one and half years. All these interim days we hardly talked now and then.
He was busy after his induction into the Indian army and he was coming back
home for vacation after his successful completion of training in IMA, Dehradun.
He was supposed to reach his house that afternoon and we planned to meet in the
evening on the same day. I saw few photos of him tagged in Facebook before few
months and I was excited to see how he looks at present. We decided to meet not
just to have a chat as we meet after long time but also to discuss about how to
approach each other’s family regarding our wish to marry each other.
With all expectations and
imaginations running continuously in mind I went to my office with my own
vehicle instead of official cab. I felt that cab cannot take me fast in the
evening and it will be convenient to reach the spot if I prefer my own vehicle.
I screamed within me complaining why the clock is running so slowly. He called
me around 3 in the evening to tell that he reached home and confirmed again
about our plan to meet in the Coffee shop once the clock ticks 7. I never wish
to have 7 as part of mobile number and I usually felt that it was unlucky for
me, but the same number looked interesting and lucky that day for me. It was
quarter passed five in the evening I refreshed myself in the rest room and made
a smile to myself looking at the mirror there. I never felt so energetic in the
evening like this so far. I ran out of office and started my sooty and raised
it the busy roads of the city. It was heavily packed being a weekend and I
moved like a snail. I saw a few young men and women standing on the roads
raising slogans in support of the Delhi rape victim. I just passed those
peaceful protestors and continued to move like a snail. He called me when I was
standing in a traffic signal and I replied him that I will reach in another 10
minutes. I was sure that I cannot reach in the mentioned time if I move in this
heavy traffic, so I decided to take an alternative route through the slums. I
moved through the slums and on seeing me few guys started to follow and tease
me. They had imported bikes and cars and I was sure they are not the local slum
dwellers. They kept on following me, so I changed my route into a bye pass
which leads into the city again. They continued to follow and threatened by
coming close to my wheels. They were drunk and once a guy crossed in front of
me, I lost my control and hit on a lorry which was coming opposite. People
gathered after sometime, ambulance arrived later but I lost my life before it
reached. It was 7 and it remained unlucky as usual. Instead of sitting in
coffee shop with him, I was lying in the road. Information was sent to my
family and the police concluded the case file saying it as my mistake as I just
had leaner licence that time. The entire nation was talking and protesting for
the Delhi rape victim, but the same nation was ignorant about thousands of
girls like me. Could a law saved my life and thirst for happiness? Can a law
make me meet my boy friend? Can a law bring me back alive? Change has
to brought from the base and every individual men
should understand and respect the opposite sex. Women is not
an object of men's desire and the entire equation in many idol mind
has to be altered. I am no more, but my desire is still there. My desire of
freedom for women as said by Gandhiji. So far in the story I never revealed my
real identity and now I wish to reveal it.
I am your sister, I am
your mother, and I am your girl next door. - As a brother, as a child
and as a friend next door, please do respect and protect women/girl around you.
This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend,
an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda