A Walk of Life- Part 2

On the Roadside.

My arms and legs were pounding, still on the road. My endeavor ended up in vain every time. Somehow, I crawled to the road side and my eyes hunted for help; help that was not visible on that deserted road. There was no sign of any living things except trees, me and an unconscious cab driver, his head resting on the steering and blood drops trickling down from there.

Like plants need water for survival, I needed help at that time. I felt despondent as no one was there.
“What I have done wrong?”
I complained, my head looking up in the dark sky full of billions of shining stars and almost a half moon which looked like a piece of water melon.

The shining starts evoked one of my child-hood memories when I and my sister used to lie down on the naked floor of veranda of our home and count the stars to which counting always ended up in a circular loop. We quarreled at the shape formation that the group of stars make.
“Look it looks like a tiger,” My sister said.
“No! It is a bear,” I revolted back.
 After that, we both used to laugh at sheer idiocy of ours’.

Back To Roadside……

I smiled with tears in my eyes that were still searching for help. I could notice my phone in broken pieces on the road.
“How will I tell anyone?” I screamed.

There was a beam of light coming from the far end of the road which looked like a ray of hope to me. Single beam assured me that it was a two-wheeler. The man on it appeared like Ganesh Ji on his mouse, a male deity whose body structure is like a human being having face of an elephant. We Indians lend prayers to him before any work we do. As per mythological fact, he used to commute on mouse.
With all my power, I raised my aching arm and waved in front of the beam. I screamed,
“Help”

The bike took a halt and the man pulled off his black helmet, I could see a big mustache and a fine body.
“Please call the ambulance,” I requested with frustration in my eyes.

He called the ambulance swiftly which arrived in a short while. They pulled me up on the stretcher and the cab driver was also pulled out of the car who was still unconscious and lost lots of blood.

I screamed in the sheer agony in front of the doctor inside the ambulance. He assured me and told me to give someone’s contact number. I gave him the number and asked them to call Vaibhav and I got unconscious.

***** TO BE CONTINUED*****

For Part 3: http://rahulchhabra.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-walk-of-life-part-3.html

A Walk of Life- Part 1

A Dinner Date

“Can we go out for dinner?” I messaged her.

A positive reply, my lips smiled and I searched for the best dresses in the wardrobe. I took out few shirts and tried it multiple times in front of the mirror.
“This one looks good. No! This one is better,” I murmured in dilemma.

I was ecstatic to meet her as I used to admire her from the first day of the college. I remember it.

I entered the class and occupied the seat. The first lecture was about to start, she came swiftly and sat in the row next to mine gasping for air, I couldn’t stop gazing at her. She was so beautiful, lovable face, long hair, black eyes like shiny pebbles and long ear rings with blue sapphire instilled in it oscillating around her ears. She was having a conversation with a girl sitting beside her; she laughed which could conquer all the boys in the world. My eyes were not ready to deviate from her.  She was wearing a pathani suit, to which my mind said,
  “She must be Punjabi”

Soon the lecturer entered which forced me to deviate away from her.

Back To Dilemma.......

“What I should wear?” I asked this question to myself again.

I chose my best shirt and wore it with dark blue jeans, again in front of mirror, again not contented. But somehow I appreciated myself and started combing my hair. I took out a fairness cream but I pondered,
“Will this fairness cream have some effect?”

Ignoring it, I applied it on my face and contented myself.  I waited for her message sitting on the couch watching TV, swapping channels, looking at the watch, feeling a virtual vibration on my mobile as my mind was thinking about her only.
“Hey come to pick me up from my hostel,” The message read.

I booked a cab and asked him to drop me at the girl’s hostel. Light rain filled the air with romance. I sat in the cab and saw rain drops trickling down the window pane. I couldn't stop making a heart with the drops.
“Sometimes, being a child is also nice,” I thought and smiled at the same time.

The cab was moving through the busy roads, a stream of heavy traffic could be seen due to rain. The driver took another path; it was forest on one side of the road, a dark patch of road with no lights. Soon, I confronted a high beam of light in the front which could damage any one’s eyes. It was a high speed truck coming towards us with no control. The driver turned the car steering in haste and the car slammed in the tree with a bang.  I couldn’t realize,
“What happened in just a moment?”

The collision threw me out of the car and I was lying on the road with my eyes open, I endeavored to get up but was not able to. The memories were coming in front of my eyes like muggers in the darkness.

“Will I be able to meet her? “ The question popped in my head.

For Part 2: http://rahulchhabra.blogspot.in/2016/09/a-walk-of-life-part-2_24.html

Two Different Views.

“Next Station is Adarsh Nagar. Doors will open on the left,” The announcement in the metro said.

I could see the station name flashing on the screen above the tiny multicolored led bulbs that resembled the points train has covered in the journey. The gates opened automatically and I stepped down on the platform. I could see vacant metallic seats placed there which elicited me to sit down and I waited for my friend to come.

I observed on either side of the platform which stands in the middle of the road. There were not so well built houses which were arranged in a clumsy manner, some were not even properly white washed. The roadside could be seen occupied by fruit and vegetable sellers chanting the names like they have mugged up all before setting up their small pulling rickshaw consisting of four cart wheels. Vegetables were arranged in an artistic fashion so they don’t mix up.  The kids could be seen flying kites on the roof top as Independence Day was heading closer. A group of girls were studying in the balcony under the light of setting sun. An adorable little girl dressed up in a sari was mischievously disturbing them by tapping on their heads and then running with a laugh. They seemed not to possess all the resources but they seemed happy, glad and proud of what they have. The surrounding was so jovial that I wanted to go there and enjoy with them.

On the other side, I could see luxurious homes arranged properly. No vegetable sellers were there. I couldn’t see a single human out of their homes. Dead silence engrossed the streets. Empty roof tops could be seen there. No kids came out to play in the setting sun. No kites could be seen in the sky. Some questions popped in my head,

“Where is that jovial surrounding?”

“Where are the kids who love to play in the evening?”

They might have been engaged with their smart phones or desktops. They might be afraid of the ferocious heat that the setting sun is trying hard to shower. They might have been feeling better to sit in air conditioned rooms rather than to come out and play. I could see a million kites flying free on one side and empty sky on other. I could witness the two different views sitting on a same place.

The message popped on my phone,
“Hey I am here. Where are you?”

I replied the place where I was sitting. She came and we hugged. I smiled and said,

“Can you see something different here?”

“What?”  She said with a demented look.

“Nothing” I smiled and put my hand over her shoulder, boarded the metro and went away.

Nelson- Epitome of charismatic leadership

The stage was set, the podium was there, and a huge gathering of people was waiting for their leader. Thousands of people could be seen irrespective of their caste, color and creed waving banners in the stadium of Cape Town, South Africa chanting slogans for him.They were waiting desperately for him to come and speak up few words about freedom, optimism and unity.

Then he came and climbed up the stairs. The horde showed more enthusiasm in their voice. The banners were held high when he leaned on the podium. He was wearing a white shirt with black pants, a black coat over it. The confidence in his eyes was like of a true leader. Chanting of slogans continued, he smiled and waved his hand. Every one stopped and there was a pin drop silence. The respect for him could be seen in everyone’s eyes. All the people knew his struggle that he did for them and even went to jail for twenty seven long years to smell the air filled with freedom. The eyes were glued to him; ears were waiting for his positive voice.

Finally he addressed,
“Good Morning people”

The voice was so inspiring that it filled the stadium with positive vibes.
“Morning” The reply echoed.

He spoke and continued for some time and finally he said which moved everyone.

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”

Thunderous claps could be heard all over the place. Slogans of praise made him to thank them. He left the stage but the praise continued.


"Nelson Mandela was the epitome of a charismatic leadership. He fought hard against the apartheid system that prevailed in South Africa for a long time. He was the winner of Nobel peace prize in 1993 and was critically acclaimed for uniting the people."

Nirbhaya- An Inspiration

A ray of light peeping through the window and chirping of birds made me get up and start a new day .It was like an inspiration to do something meaningful that day. I yawned multiple times and got up from my bed. It is a daunting task to get up early in the morning. I started preparing for the college and in between a message popped on my mobile phone. It said,
“Are you free for the movie today evening?”

I replied with a blushing smile.
“Yes. When and Where?”

“I will accompany you at the hostel around 6.00 pm,” the reply said

“It is very arduous to see same lecturers teaching you the same subject,” I whispered to Akshita.

I was trying hard to focus in the class which follows a monotonous routine every day. I was mused about meeting Sahil in the evening. My heart wants to share it with my best friend Akshita but I adjudicated to keep it confidential.

It was 5.00 already and I was getting anxious to leave the class.
“I will kill this stubborn guy. He always takes extra time to complete the topic,” I said to her.

He left us at 5.15 pm and I rushed to my hostel room like a mad woman running for no reason. I started preparing for the evening, there was a call.
“It must be Sahil,” I said to myself.

I was not in a condition to answer the call but somehow I managed to pick up the call with one hand and other one was busy doing eye make-up.
“Are you here,” I asked anxiously.

“Yes I am here. Where are you? I am waiting down-stairs,” He replied with intensity.
“But you were coming at 6.00 pm ," I defended myself
“Don’t defend yourself. Come fast,” He taunted me. “He is very cunning,” I thought.
“OK I am coming. Just wait 10 more minutes,” I replied and cut the call.

He was standing near the hostel gate wearing a white shirt and blue denim trousers with a leather jacket over the shirt.
“He is looking stunning,” I said to myself.

He waved his hand from a distance and same was done from my side with a sweet smile.
“These girls are always late,” He mocked me.
 I foisted his comment.
“If your remarks about girls are over, then we can move or not,” I chided him.

We commuted from bus which ply directly to the movie theater. We were fortunate enough to reach on time. We accommodated our corner seats and started watching the movie. In the half-way down the movie, He holds my hand and we kissed in the dark theater. It was the most ardent kiss we had ever done. I gazed into his eyes for a minute and my cheeks became pink again.
“You look more charming when your cheeks go pink”, He complemented me with a smile.

I rested my head on his shoulder and started watching the movie without uttering a single word.
The movie came to an end around 9.00 pm. We made a hasty exit from the movie theater. It was a hush outside. We were moving on a desolated road searching for an auto. After constant endeavor to search the vehicle heading hostel, we reached a bus stand. After numerous unsuccessful attempts, we saw a private bus coming in-front of us.

“Dwarka! Dwarka!” a boy in its teen age shouting from the entry. As I was getting late, we boarded the bus and saw few people already sitting there which gave us a sense of security. The same boy gave a ticket of Rs.10/- each and he passed some lewd comments on me. I thwarted Sahil from an altercation with him.
“I will kill him,” he said angrily. I tried to calm him and it worked well.

After a few minutes, Sahil noticed that bus was plying to a different route which made him suspicious and he revolted against it. I assisted him this time but was unaware of the situation coming in-front of us. All the commuters stood up and we were traumatized to see that all were companions. Suddenly one guy shut me up. They thrashed Sahil and took him to rear end. The boy hit him with an iron rod on his head which jolted him.
“Please stop it! Please stop it!” These were the words I reiterated numerously.

The bus driver continued to drive through the busy roads of Delhi and even crossed the police barricade. The bus had tinted glass which is against the law though police didn’t care to stop the bus. Sahil became unconscious and they forcefully controlled my limbs. They all were lechers and assaulted me. I protested hard but it was in vain. They tore my clothes like covetous beasts. Tears were streaming down my cheeks all the time. Their barbarian behavior went on for a long time. I was shouting for help every second but no one was there. I could see Sahil lending his hand to me in a semiconscious state. I tried hard but was not able to reach. I prayed and complained to God simultaneously.

 "Why me? Why me?" I cursed God.

They penetrated the same rod inside my vagina which perished my intestines. I howled with pain which can vandalize anyone's ear. The bus took a halt somewhere on the road. They hurled us out of the bus after this sinful act. They didn't even thwart after that. The bus driver tried to run over the bus on me. In the meantime Sahil gained consciousness and dragged me aside the road which saved my life with an inch.

We were lying unclad and there was blood everywhere on the road. He was growling with pain and shivering with cold. I lay unconscious on the road with a little bit of hand movement.  A lot of automobiles crossed in-front of us but no one dared to halt for a while. Like the deserts imploring for rain, we waited for the vehicles to stop.
“Why people are so scared that they can’t even help someone lying in the pool of blood”, I thought

Some of the vehicles stopped for a while but no one was having the guts to come out to cover us in the open sky of harsh winter night. They just watched us for a while, whispered to their counterparts and rushed away like some show was going on.
“Are people of Delhi so unkind”, I thought

“Delhi is a city of people with large hearts.” The fact seemed dwindling.

Suddenly a bike came in-front of us with one guy hastily got down to see our critical condition. The other one was trying to thwart him but he denied. He was like an angel sent by god. He communicated with the police and ambulance the very next moment. The police arrived within five minutes and covered us with a blanket.
“He is not shivering now”, I content myself.

We were in dreaded affliction due to the injuries those beasts gave us. The ambulance arrived shortly and we were sprinted to the proximate hospital. We both were scuttled to the operation theaters and our treatment tend to begin. Soon after my parents were informed, they arrived at the hospital in an utmost haste. I was lying on the bed with many doctors all around me endeavoring to save my life.
“How can someone be so barbarous?  Even animals are better,” Doctor said to his counterpart.

I could sense my mother peeping through the window of the operation theater with tears trickling down her cheeks. My father was traumatized to see his beautiful daughter in that inferior condition. They want to hug me but the red bulb on the door of operation theater was not permitting them to step forward. The doctors started lacerating my injured private part to operate it and it ended roughly after 4 hours.
“I haven’t seen the case like this before. She is on the ventilator, Rest depends on God,” Doctor said in a dreadful tone.

My mother sat on the bench in a trauma, her hand on the forehead with tears trickling down her cheeks. Suddenly a mob gathered in front of the hospital with banners written 'We Want Justice' on it.
"Where were these people when we were lying unconscious on the road?" I thought.

Police struggled to manage the large mob. They used the sticks and water cannons to segregate the crowd. The crowd was adamant and it gathered again in front of the hospital gate.
"We Want Justice!” Slogans that were reiterated numerously.

My mother sitting beside me, still in the trauma. It was very austere to believe that her daughter in this atrocious condition. My father was constantly in touch with the doctors to know about my improvement each moment. There was I discussed on all media channels. The constant pressure of press and the people made the system to come in action swiftly.
"Media is the third pillar of democracy," this statement is making some sense now.

The fight for justice by my fellow citizens made me stronger each day and I started challenging death. Doctors were pleased to see me recuperate.
"She is a valiant girl. She is showing good signs of recovery", Doctor said in a pleasing tone.

There was a vague smile on my parent's face. Sahil was operated successfully which made me more adamant to live.
"I want to live”, the thought was hovering my mind.

Police found the bus with blood stains completely removed by the culprits. The bus was thoroughly cleaned by the beasts to remove all the evidence. All were caught and hand-cuffed from their respective native places and brought to Delhi for trial to begin. This was the result of constant endeavor of people and media. The police took the Sahil's statement and he identified all the culprits which made the trial easier.

Soon the young generation from all over the country started demanding capital punishment for the culprits despite caste, creed and religion. They marched from India Gate to President’s House with banners and howling of slogans continued.
"Real Men don't rape"...
"Capital Punishment for the rapists"...
"We want Justice"...

Police was deployed in heavy amount near the President's House. They started to fire tear gas bombs to segregate the crowd but the protest sustained. They started thrashing sticks on the peaceful protesters. Even male police personnel’s thrashed female protesters.
"Are you the police or goons?" one of the female protester shouted.

I gained consciousness and there was a lady police officer anxiously waiting for my statement. I narrated the whole incident and she was traumatized to hear that the boy was the main culprit. I could see my mother weeping after listening to the whole incident to which my father consoled her with a hug. My mother hugged me as soon as the officer left.
"I don't want to die!" I don't want to die!" I reiterated numerously to my mother.
My condition deteriorated and was on the ventilator once again.

The incident instigated the spark around the whole world. India was condemned everywhere. Government formed committees and decided to solve the case rapidly. They debated on reforming the laws for these heinous crimes.
"Why an incident is always needed to make the country better? They should have done it before," I thought.

The trial begin and all the culprits were given death penalties except the juvenile boy. He was sent to the juvenile home. They expect him to transform from a criminal to a responsible civilian in approximately two years. People were mocking the government after this decision.
“If this will happen in India, people will tend to lose their belief in the judiciary and justice,” I thought.

My condition deteriorated with the passing days and was shifted to Singapore for the treatment. I took my last breath there and given the name Nirbhaya.

I am watching everything from above. Rapes have not stopped, leaders have not changed their mentality. People are not helping the needy .Giving the name Nirbhaya to give inspiration and opening a relief fund in the name of fearless will amount to disappointment. We all have to change our mentality to make our country better place to live in not only for women but for everyone.

Joy of Giving

I could see their florid eyes when they see a new book to read. I could see the determination in them which prompts them to study. I could see the value of education in their eyes. I could see the capability they possess that is far more than us to become a diamond in the later stage of the life. I could see the winning smile when they learn something new. I could see the hidden talent that they have for doing something creative. I could see the innocence which makes me learn to be like them. I could see the happiness they experience with small things which we had lost now days.

What I couldn’t see?”

I couldn’t see the resources they deserve badly. I couldn’t see the money so that they can buy new books or could go to school. I couldn’t see the food they need for nourishing themselves to keep up with their health which is the most important. I couldn’t see the parents who support them. I couldn’t see the confidence that they lack while doing something. I couldn’t see the guidance that they should get to achieve new heights and reach the zenith.

“What we should do?” 

We are having ample resources with us in the form of knowledge, money and creativity. We can provide them a drop from an ocean. We just need to give guidance like a ray of light which can make that drop shine like a diamond.

We can provide those books so that they can study and become something in life. We can provide that much needed confidence so that they can compete with the harsh world outside which always hinders their growth.

We can provide them good food so that they can keep up with their health. We should share every basic necessity that they don’t possess.

As someone said, “If you have something to give, share it with a needy person” 

We can provide them knowledge which can be related to any field either it is singing, dancing or poetry. We should provide it selflessly so that they can groom as a person. They can improve not only in studies but in every field.

Our ultimate goal is to make those kids good human beings. So values play an important role in everyone’s life. We should provide them good values so that they respect their opposite sex, their parents and their elders. The feeling of selflessness should be instilled in them from the very beginning.

We can as it gives immense joy to help someone in need. Joy of giving is we should experience in our lives. Trust me! You will feel good. You will feel like that your soul has been rejuvenated. You will learn a lot and your life will have something meaningful to add. This will make you counter your ego, increase your patience and make you feel worth it.

“Joy of Giving is we should experience in our lives.” 

Wish I Could....

The sky was covered with black clouds, thunderous sound roared like a lion which could scare anyone. Lightening could be seen dissecting the cloud’s chest. Once it dissects, light paved the way through the dark clouds like a ray of hope which could conquer all evil.  It seemed like a war between the devil and the god. The devil was trying to scare with his thunderous sound and god giving his reply in the form of lightening. Soon the devil got defeated and he cried for mercy. The water flowed through his eyes and drenched the land below.

The million eyes searched for shelter. Some were able to find it under the roof of a bus stand; some were still searching for it. The pot holes were filled with water and speeding cars spilled the mud stained water on the passers’ by that turned their clothes almost brown in color. A group of children could be seen enjoying the victory of God over Devil. They jumped merrily on the stagnant water, danced with no worries, sailed a few miniature paper boats on the stream which made it look like a virtual river. They observed the boats with perturbation and cheered when either of the boats advances others like some contest was going on.
“Whoa!!! My boat is leading” one boy shouted with exhilaration.

The exhilaration was ephemeral as another boat crossed it and won the race. Soon his winning smile turned into a despondent one. The winner was congratulated and the losers were consoled. In a while, they forgot everything and started to enjoy the rain again.

A guy in formal dress, Laptop bag hanging around his waist waiting for the rain to stop. His bike stood in front of him which was completely drenched. He was going to office but the rain hindered his journey. A million thoughts swarmed his mind.
“Will I be able to reach on time?” he pondered.

“My boss will kill me,” He said it to himself in a worry that forced his forehead to form wrinkles.

The exasperation could be easily seen on his face but he knew that it will not help. He couldn’t even celebrate the victory of God as the burden of worries on his shoulder pulled him away to do so. The laptop bag seemed so heavy that he wants to throw it and join the children out there on the road. The ironed formal clothes were feeling so heavy upon him that he wants to undress it and enjoy like them. He also wanted to make a paper boat and participate in a race, he wanted to shout in exhilaration, he wanted to win or at least loose because it didn’t matter, he wanted it all very badly. But words like office, boss, work, responsibilities were swarming his head which halted him.

“Wish I could enjoy like them. Wish I could have such friends again who console me when I face defeat. Wish I could come out of the rat race. Wish I could have no worries.” All the lines hovered over his head.

The devil stopped crying and a ray of the beautiful sun peeped through the clouds. A smile played on his lips. People started moving to their destination. He wiped the water on the seat cover with a cloth. He was about to kick start the bike. A cool breeze hit his face and a paper boat came near his bike. He stopped and picked it in his hand. He gazed at it constantly.

“Wish I could.” He said to himself, he kicked start the bike and headed towards his destination.