Walking through the shadows

 "Hey! Stop....stop!" He went on and on.

A few years back I met with a situation faced by almost every girl/woman these days. It is said: whatever happens in life is for a reason; learn from your mistakes and become the better version of yourself. Well the the bookish quotes work different in real life but change is mandatory and you are the one to make sure it's a positive one. So here is an incident in my life that changed me as a person.

My world was a fun place it still is but  I never knew what was beyond hobby classes, school, my society people and family. It was a weekday during summer holidays after 7th grade and dance gathering practice was in full swing. I got ready in my red kurta, leggings, a jacket and a black dupatta around my neck. So excited to learn the new choreographies, I locked my door, put the music on and was on my way to the class. It was my regular route for past 4-5 years. The shadows of the trees covered the entire path and the sunlight parched the roads through the branches.  It was peaceful, typical Punekars' afternoon. As I was walking, I heard a bike coming near and the very instinct was to move to the extreme left of the road. But it kept on following me so I turned back to see and it suddenly stopped. The guy parked the bike and walked after me. "Wait...wait!" He shouted. I kept walking and he kept following. Once I was at a distance he then took his bike and parked it right in front of me. I had barely started liking word problems and indian history -  just passing grade 7th. So unaware of what was going on, I stopped stunned as he kept staring and started saying the most bizzare things. "I have been following you for past few weeks from various places (terrace, regular routes) and I love you. Answer me!" He went on in marathi. I had never seen him ever before: A total stranger in his early twenties wearing a white shirt and a pair of skinny blue Jeans. Who was he? My heart was racing at the fastest rate possible. My hands started shivering. Something like this can happen? I was still petrified. There was no one around and I didn't know what to do as he kept on blabbering. Speechless at the moment, I walked back a few steps as he came near and near. "Please leave." I said out loudly as my eyes widened and my voice filled with rage. He then shamelessly followed for some more time on his bike saying "Wait let me drop you. Wait!" I kept walking as my feet got heavier each step. All I could see was my class building. He didn't leave and instead drove near me until I reached my destination. I didn't know what to do anymore. I saw my tai sat there quietly for two minutes still in disbelief. A thousand things going in my mind. She felt the tension and when asked about my heavy breath I told her everything. After getting back home I told my parents. My father then searched all the CCTV cameras around but nothing was ever found. 

The vivid picture is still in my mind and the rush is still infuriating. There are lakhs of stories even more devastating and a thousand incidents that are buried in silence. That day I could've done so much: shouted out loud, hit him, called police etc. But I was blank. Whistling, road teasing, acid attacks and so much more have become a dreadful truth of life. If you don't decide to raise your voice no one else will. Be confident and vigilant. Had I kept a watch on my surroundings everytime I went out, I would've known who's been driving the same route time and again. These people, educated or not, known or not fail to understand individuality and humanity. We can't expect people to learn this in days for, the billions are still living and believing in the patriarchal world full of dominance. We can't change anyone's perspective but we can sure defend ourselves: learn self defence, learn to say no to anything you are against of, stand up against injustice, be so independent that you don't have to depend on anyone else for your survival, make sure your reflex are fierce so that these people don't dare to do such a thing again , make your children aware of the dangers in the world and report any crime you see taking place. These days we hear so many sexual assault cases and the most common thing said is that the clothes of the victim led to the incident. Women sure can wear whatever they want provided they can carry the outfit well. The world was and still is a messed up place with enormous beauty and at the same time hideous darkness. So stay vigilant, stay safe and fight back for the shadows are throughout and you are the firelight enlightening the dark.

Punekar: people living in Pune are called as punekar. It is generally at the afternoon that the people here take nap. Whilst the shops are closed and there is barely anyone on the streets.