“I held your wrist, twisted your arm and landed a bang on your face. Teri himmat kaise hui chune ki? (How dare you touch me?)

‘Beep Beep Beep……Wake up wake up wake up ……. It’s a brand new Day!

6:15 a.m. it was. I was already late but did not repent it. Coz the thing I could not do in broad day light I had finally done in my dream, or rather nightmare I should say. You know what; you have started to haunt me even in my sleep!

Do you know when it was first when I realized that I am no longer a small baby but now have been characterized (as every other girl) in an ostensibly ‘weaker’ class of society in this male chauvinistic world? It was not when I hit puberty. But it was when I was followed by one of you my way back to home from school. Your lewd stare, the sly whistle, the lingering look, cheap gestures, all shattered me in a jiffy.

Unable to track you, I was asked by elders to let the bygone be bygone. But you had made a lifelong impression on my mind. Finally I knew now; I had grown up!

Kudos to you!

No one can deny that your such activities are an indispensable part of every girl’s being. You are everywhere, buses, shopping arcades, restaurants, railway booking counters, cinema halls, bus stops, and every other conceivable place.

In a crowded place, one of you bumps into us unwarranted and then your seemingly casual touch! You rubberneck me as if some asset at display. Even if I try to confront you some time, you are already ready with your-“Maine kya kiya? (What have I done?)” as guiltless as an innocent child unsullied by any kind of sin.

It is really commendable each time you seemingly ‘unintentionally’ brush your arm against my back or thigh in a bus or train and still you have a hell lot guts to stare straight into my eyes when I look at you in disgust and still have that ‘Happy-Go-Lucky’ attitude. Really, Hats off!

You well-timed clap, your seemingly casual touch, your lingering look at vulnerable times, the humming of a suggestive song, passing down the crude and sarcastic comments, bikes flying close with hands stretched to grope us! You must have had to practice pretty hard to masters these skills. Tough job of yours!

There surely must be some thrill in ripping behind us in every possible hazardous manner. May be you try to flaunt your macho who can accost or rather terrify, anyone.

You know what; all thanks to you that my activities and clothes are under constant scrutiny any my late nights are curbed.

It kills me a little inside each time a have to re-think over a dress before entering a public place. Even in a decent ‘salwaar- kameez’, why do I appear Lady Godiva to you and so you become the voyeuristic Peeping Tom!

I am sure one day you would agnize the disgust you cause to me and that day would be the one when your daughter would come up to you and say-“ Daddy! I don’t feel safe!”

Yours seemingly leisurely object,

A Regular girl.