It was already 5 in the evening and I was still at home. I had to reach by 6 which started seeming bleak especially since it was pouring here in Mumbai. The mere thought of travelling through puddled roads irritated me. But at the same time I was elated too, for I was going to have a blast and did not really mind paying a small price for it!
I hurriedly boarded the bus and was relieved to find a vacant window seat; meant for women passengers. The bus started and I wished it could take me straight to my destination without having to wait at traffic signals and through jams. I was thrilled about meeting my friends after 2 long years. There was so much to talk about, so much to listen to, so much fun and madness awaiting...
I hardly paid any attention to the stops where my bus halted. Gradually it started getting crowded but it didnt matter to me as I was safely seated...or so I thought.
I was engrossed in my thoughts, looking out of the window that I suddenly felt something move through my waist. Oh.. the passenger behind might have just boarded and managed to get a seat - I thought and resumed looking out of the window. A little later and bit surprisingly I again felt something move through my waist. This time it bothered me and I immediately turned back with an angry look (women generally use this peculiar look as a weapon to scare the male species around, and trust me it helps).
I mellowed down at the sight of an old man - or whatever you would call a man with grey hair, wrinkled face, et al. I said sorry and turned ahead. The bus was finding way amidst packed roads, bottlenecks and I was killing time by looking around and hoping to reach my stop soon. Some more time passed and I felt something move again....this time I turned back with suspicion to find the old man leaning on the window and having a peaceful nap. Next to him was a young man with a kid on his lap.
Was it an illusion? Was I hallucinating, and why? I turned ahead, slightly disturbed and continued what I was doing earlier..watching the life outside my bus window. Some time later I heard someone murmur something right in my ears. I immediately looked back and saw that the old man had leaned further and was talking something..but he was inaudible. I ignored him. And there came the hand again, beneath my tee. I did no mistake now and caught it right there and turned back. I could hardly believe what I saw. That grey haired, wrinkled faced old man whom I had ignored as a harmless creature was deriving some salacious pleasure out of touching me, a girl probably his daughters age. I started shivering, out of rage and shock at the same time. That pervert still had the guts to ask me my number and now did I realize what was being murmured in my ears earlier. I had started trembling by then in fury and lost absolute sense of where I was. I twisted that very lustful hand and slapped him hard.
There was absolute silence in the bus, and all eyes wide with disbelief. The conductor intervened and asked me what the matter was. And I broke down, tears rolling down my eyes. I was feeling cheated of my own values with which I had grew up, of respecting elders and treating them with dignity and care. I was feeling helpless because none of them present in the bus seemed convinced with what this lecherous man had done to me. I was standing there like a villain for I had just slapped an old man who could barely see or walk straight without support. How could he have done something to me? And the very same values that taught me to respect elders had taught my fellow bus travelers that in situations like these, girls are to blame. I was totally unmoved by the reaction of my co-passengers. I had to give it back, and without wasting any time I pulled him from his seat and asked the driver to take the bus to the nearest police station. Now the old man started getting dramatic crying loudly saying it was just a misunderstanding on my part and that he never even thought of touching me, leave aside making an attempt. I looked around in horror. He was not just lecherous but a b@#$#%d of the first order. I lashed out at him with all the swear/ curse words I ever knew. The bus came to a screeching halt and the conductor pushed him out. He turned to me and asked me if I was ok and offered me water. No..I was not Ok. I had paid the price for being respectful towards elders, of being subject to someones lustful advances. My fault? I still don't know.
I got down from the bus, tired, as if I had walked all the way. All my friends were already there waiting for me. I pretended as if I really had a tiring journey and joined them in the giggles and laughter. After all who would want to share an unpleasant experience with friends meeting after a long time.
It is true that every unpleasant experience teaches a particularly unforgettable lesson. I had learned my lesson too.
Never trust anyone with their motives once you step out of the comfort of your home. Age, gender, profession etc have nothing to do with a persons intrinsic frame of mind. So, just be yourself yet cautious!
There was absolute silence in the bus, and all eyes wide with disbelief. The conductor intervened and asked me what the matter was. And I broke down, tears rolling down my eyes. I was feeling cheated of my own values with which I had grew up, of respecting elders and treating them with dignity and care. I was feeling helpless because none of them present in the bus seemed convinced with what this lecherous man had done to me. I was standing there like a villain for I had just slapped an old man who could barely see or walk straight without support. How could he have done something to me? And the very same values that taught me to respect elders had taught my fellow bus travelers that in situations like these, girls are to blame. I was totally unmoved by the reaction of my co-passengers. I had to give it back, and without wasting any time I pulled him from his seat and asked the driver to take the bus to the nearest police station. Now the old man started getting dramatic crying loudly saying it was just a misunderstanding on my part and that he never even thought of touching me, leave aside making an attempt. I looked around in horror. He was not just lecherous but a b@#$#%d of the first order. I lashed out at him with all the swear/ curse words I ever knew. The bus came to a screeching halt and the conductor pushed him out. He turned to me and asked me if I was ok and offered me water. No..I was not Ok. I had paid the price for being respectful towards elders, of being subject to someones lustful advances. My fault? I still don't know.
I got down from the bus, tired, as if I had walked all the way. All my friends were already there waiting for me. I pretended as if I really had a tiring journey and joined them in the giggles and laughter. After all who would want to share an unpleasant experience with friends meeting after a long time.
It is true that every unpleasant experience teaches a particularly unforgettable lesson. I had learned my lesson too.
Never trust anyone with their motives once you step out of the comfort of your home. Age, gender, profession etc have nothing to do with a persons intrinsic frame of mind. So, just be yourself yet cautious!
