2000
Sharmila
Thirteen year old Sharmila bid goodbye to her friends, just
outside the school gate. Most of their houses were at least a few streets away,
while others had homes even farther. She lived the closest to her school. She
had to walk out of the school gate, pass by the little stationery store, a
private bungalow and the warehouse of a party organiser to see her apartment
stand majestically to her left. Today, yet again, she walked down happily,
unaware that her life would change forever.
Mani
“You are such a scared cat. You don’t have what it takes to
be a man,” Raju said.
Mani glared at him. He could hardly control his anger.
“Raju, I’m coming with you this Sunday. Don’t treat me like a baby.”
“This is a red-light area that we are talking about. You are
just 17. Do you at least know what sex is?”
“You offend me, Raju.”
“What is there to offend you? Have you ever touched a girl?”
“I’ll show you,” Mani said.
He got down from the tempo. All the plastic chairs had been
unloaded and the supervisor was nowhere to be seen. He looked at the street. A
girl in school uniform was walking towards him. ‘Little kiddo, she will not
scream,’ he thought. He walked straight towards her and before she even noticed
him, he put out his hand and pressed her chest. He walked on a little further,
looked back and smiled at Raju. He was giving him a thumbs up.
2015
Sharmila looked around the psychotherapist’s office. The
white interiors calmed her. She suddenly realised the therapist was asking her
something.
“Why Sharmila?” She asked.
Sharmila screwed her eyes and brought herself to focus on
the therapist’s words. “What did you say?”
“Why are you scared to walk on the road?”
“I cannot. I cannot. The devil stands on the road. I cannot.”
“Relax. It’s okay. Tell me, how does this devil look? What does
he do?”
“He is young, must be around 18 years of age. He is dark and
has red eyes. As soon as he sees me, he walks towards me. The worst thing is
his smile. When I look at him in fear, he smiles in mockery. It is too wicked.”
©ArchanaSarat2015
Good job. Well written.
ReplyDeleteThank you Michele
DeleteThis is really heart-wrenching, one dare, one wicked day and a life is spoilt.
ReplyDeleteYes Ruchi. One person's cruel joke can wretch another's life!
DeleteShudder when I read this because it brings back painful memories. Sigh. Reality bites. Good writing, Archana.
ReplyDelete*Shailaja/Alternate Angles/A-Z*
Thank you Shailaja
DeleteWhoa, powerful! And so, so true! Some people never realize how far-fetching the consequences of their behaviour can be!
ReplyDeleteMy link: http://www.devikafernando.com/blog/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-letter-g-good-enough
Yes. What is fun for one can be traumatic for the other :(
DeleteA real heart-breaking story and the fact is it happens so often. Groping, eve-teasing, child abuse- these are the real menaces in our society. Let's hope that all the Sharmila's realize that they can stand tall and conquer despite the devils.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, Prasanna.
DeleteWhat a powerful story. Heartbreaking:(
ReplyDeletegood luck with the rest of the challenge! I am one of Lisa's (Challenge Co-host) Live Wires
Thank you Doreen :)
DeleteOne dare trashed her years :(
ReplyDelete:(
DeletePowerful narrative! Your blog is as beautiful as your writing-- which is VERY much so :-) Just stopping by on my blog prowl. Happy writing! Here's my blog- www.countdownbegun.wordpress.com :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Cauvery. Your name is beautiful. Thanks for stopping by. Do visit again :)
Delete