By Sakshi Sahasrabuddhe
The day started off well enough, who would have ever, thought that it would turn out to be so malicious, so gruesome! Not more than two steps had I taken further than I heard a loud cry for help. The sound pierced through the still air, disturbing me from my early morning walk. It was still dark and gloomy as it always is in the winters. Soon, I paused, my heart pounding in my chest and every part of me urged me to go forward and see what was going on. That would be the safest thing to do which would avoid me from getting involved in a potentially dangerous situation. However, a sense of deep - rooted compassion within me compelled me to go forward. Cautiously, I made my way, my footsteps quickening, as the shrill cries grew louder.
In a few movements, the scene unfolded before me. Scared stiff, my heart almost skipped a beat as what I saw was spine chilling. A young woman, her face etched with fear was surrounded by a group of men cornering her, their frightful figures looming over her trembling form. Hesitating, I rushed forward, my voice ringing out in the eerie silence saying," Leave her alone!" The men whirled around, their eyes narrowing as they examined this unwanted trespasser. For a moment time seemed to stand still, the tension palpable.
In a sudden movement, the men turned their attention to me, their motives clear. I prepared myself, my mind racing through thoughts searching for a way to quell the situation and protect the vulnerable woman. However, deep down, somewhere in my heart, I knew that I was also a woman outmatched and outmanoeuvred outward to these men. At a point I thought of running away as a teenager like me had the probability of getting sexually assaulted. So, I did run away pacing through my contacts informing the police and my parents immediately.
In some time, all of us gathered and went to the same place. The men noticed us and tried to flee but the police got them in just the right time. Hearing the commotion everyone had gathered around. We rushed to the woman. But lo! This time she lay naked, her body covered with scars. We turned our gaze away while Mrs. Das, the police woman quickly covered her body and sent her to the hospital.
The next morning, we were informed that the women had regained some strength. I went to meet her and she thanked me profusely for saving her life. Honestly speaking, I felt bad for her and tears bolted down my eyes as I thought about how she would be carrying this guilt, this low self esteem, her entire life though she was not at fault. At that point, we were bound by a shared trauma, but also by a sense of resilience, a testament to the spirit of those who refuse to be victims, those who choose to fight back against the darkness that lurks in this world.
By Sakshi Sahasrabuddhe
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