Dear "Uncleji",
You didn't say anything that day on the train, when I slapped that boy because he had been caressing me, touching me and lifting my skirt while I was sleeping. You even looked the other way when I slapped him and yelled at him. You pretended you hadn't heard me. You probably even smirked at me when I sat scared on my berth that he was going to come back with his friends and drag me off the train.
Probably you don't have a mother or a sister at home. Or even a daughter. Or, maybe you do, and you have trained them to keep quiet and not draw any attention to themselves. Maybe they don't even dress "that way" and hence don't go asking for trouble.
Kudos to you, uncleji, for doing such a great job!
Thank you for not speaking up for me that day. That taught me a few lessons. I learnt not to rely on people around me for help. I learnt to be extra careful while traveling on public transport. Most important of all, I learnt how not be.
Sincerely,
Cee
Note: This post is a participation entry for Blank Noise Spectators Special. Go ahead. Participate!
*shudders*
ReplyDeletethat sent a shiver down my spine..very well written!
this is my only worry about having a daughter- how much can one protect
ReplyDeleteChandni: Thanks. I won't pretend that I meant to write it that way. I was short on ideas of what to write so decided to be brief and to the point :P
ReplyDeleteArtnavy: I guess we can only teach them to be self-dependent and give them a good sense of self and such. We really can't protect them that much - not even from the playground bullies, come to think of it. Really scary thought!
wow, that was intense, cee. i just wrote about the same too. upsetting.
ReplyDeleteand sadly, most people committing female foeticide express the same fear artnavy ... i don't blame the parent ... who to hold responsible? i don't know. the uncle jis perhaps. people like him.
ReplyDelete