Weak? Not me!

This is a tale of a young Indian girl who just got out of high school to explore the new world outside. But just as she enters this new maze of life, she is faced with something horrifying.

I can remember the sweat dripping down his face. I could see real tremor pass through the animal. I was once in the same stage. I was scared, alone and helpless. But I didn’t let the weakness put down my strength. I decided to get up and fight. People around advised me to be wise and ignore but no, the guilty should be punished. I made sure of that….

I’m Roshni. I’m just a 15year old now. Yesterday I became a hero. I fought against something that was wrong. I feel so proud of myself. But the trauma I went through for the last 2 months is something that will remain imprinted in my mind forever. It’s like a black spot among the other beautiful memories of my life.

Two months ago, after I finished my tenth boards and received the results, I had secured a 96%. I was so happy. It was like a dream come true for me because I knew I could easily get into my dream college for my 11^th and 12^th, Red rose P.U college. They had the best training for IIT entrance exams. My parents were extremely happy when I was offered a seat there. I began college life on 21^st may.

First day of college was amazing. I found new friends, people who were like me; I made a few guy friends too. Teachers were all really knowledgeable and the classes were interesting. But the second day of college was terrifying….

We had a morning class at 8.am that day. We had a math class that was being taught by Prof. Aryan Mishra. Unlike the other baldies who taught us, he was young, good looking and a fun teacher. He let us yell, talk and chill out in class. He taught the subject well too in an interesting interactive way. All my friends and me totally fell for him. We all labeled him as the ideal teacher. That’s when after class my friends gave me a dare to go to the staff room and ask him a doubt and after that ask him where he stays and if he could share his phone number in case we had doubts. These were things I used to do back at school. I felt nice and happy to go do the dare because not everybody finds friends who can replace school. I went into the staff room. Nobody was there in college yet because it was way too early in the morning for the other staff members to have come. As I entered I saw him busy on his phone, chatting and stuff. It’s really hard to find a teacher who chats with people on the phone. He really was the coolest teacher to exist, is what I assumed. He smiled seeing me, and suddenly I don’t know what happened but he looked at me weirdly. Well, literally scanned me from up to down, I can say. But I ignored that fact and asked him, “Sir, can you please help me with this problem? I’m not sure I got it right.” Instantly he said “please, I must insist, call me Aryan. I feel too young to be addressed as ‘sir’. You guys need not be formal with me. Come sit, I will help you out”. He asked me to sit on the chair beside him. All I could think of was how sweet he was. But things changed.

He solved the problem with ease and explained the procedure to be applied. I then went ahead to complete the other half of my dare. I asked him “sir, can I have your phone number? In case I had any doubts?” to which he again said “no sirs please! Sure take it down” and he gave me his number. I got up to leave when suddenly he held my hand. I turned to see him smile not in a sweet way, but in a very disgusting way and said “I must say. You are a really pretty girl”. I got terrified because he wasn’t some idiotic teenage guy of my class who had a crush on me saying that, it was my teacher. He didn’t lighten the grip he had on my hand which scared me more, hence I forced my hand away and said “thank you, sir, sorry ah, Aryan” and rushed out of the room.

I didn’t really tell my friends what exactly happened in there. I decided to keep quiet about the whole incident. I decided I will never again get stuck in a situation which involves Aryan sir and me alone. But I couldn’t.

Exactly 3 days later we had his class again. I was seriously concentrating in class. But I couldn’t help but notice him staring at me every one minute. It felt like I’m the only species in class. I didn’t really understand what to conclude from this unusual behavior. I again ignored the signals that I didn’t recognize. After the class ended, he came up to me and he said, “You had a doubt, didn’t you? I found another way to solve that problem. It’s a short cut. It will help you in your competitive examinations to find solutions faster. So come to my cabin. I’ll teach you how you can go about it”. That’s when I really got scared and I said instantly “no sir. I can’t. I have homework to finish. I’ll come some other time.” For which he demanded “you called me sir, didn’t you? Ha-ha. Now this is your punishment. You have to come now. I insist.” I went behind him like a dog. No one was there again. He slowly closed the door of the staff room. That freaked me out. I asked him “sir, what are you doing?” he said “I don’t like people disturbing me when I’m teaching my students”. He gave the same wicked smile again and said “come closer. Come.” He held my hand. He pulled me. I again tried setting myself free but he was too strong. He then said “no need to worry. I want to teach you something here. Math is my profession. But my passion is something else.” I didn’t understand what he meant. I could feel my nerves tremble. “Your friends find me attractive, don’t they? But I find you attractive. Give me a chance to show you the passion, some love”. I got tears in my eyes as soon as he said that. It was something I didn’t expect. I felt like I was in a trap hard to break out of. He then moved his hand up to my shoulder; he put his other hand around my waist. He touched me. I kept trying to break free and then I realized that I was being silent. I wasn’t mute. I can yell and someone will know what’s happening and come and save me from this. So I started screaming “sir, leave me. Someone help. Please!” he then did the most unexpected thing. He pushed me to the wall. He held both my hands tight and said, “if you try opening your mouth in front of anyone, I’ll make sure you fail in your boards, because trust me, I have contacts. That’s not it; I will accuse you of misbehavior and expel you from this institution. Beware Roshni. Even to your friends if you utter a word, I’ll know. And the consequences will be severe. Wipe your tears now. Wipe them properly and act normal.” And then he pushed me to the door.

Only I know how scared I was. He even threatened me. I went home that day right after his period because I was panting; shivering and I could feel my heart beats. I just wanted to run home, where it’s safe and warm. I told my mom I’m not well, went to my room and tears started pouring down again. It’s such a weird thing. When we were kids, we used to pretend to be crying during sleep hours to gain mom’s attention. But now, we pretend to be sleeping when actually, silently we’re crying. The only solution I could think of in that terrified state of mind was that I should ignore and that I should never get into a situation which would put Aryan sir and me alone ever again. I felt so sick. I felt helpless.

The next day a teacher had applied leave and Aryan sir took the substitution class. I was looking at my book the whole class. I bent my head down because I felt disgusted to even make eye contact with that animal. But he wanted to scare me more so that he gets me in his control so he yelled at me “Roshni! What are you doing? Why aren’t you concentrating? I hate this behavior. If you are not interested get out of my class! Now!” I stood up. I didn’t even understand why he yelled at me. I wasn’t disturbing anyone. I was just minding my own business. I forced out a “sorry sir” from my mouth. He walked towards me, and gave that wicked smile again which only I noticed. He pulled my hand, in front of the whole class and pushed me. He said “get out”. I was left nowhere. I had to obey or he would just find reasons to touch me again. I obeyed his orders. That was the first day in my entire student career I was chucked out of class. That too for something I hadn’t done. I knew this was going too far.

After the class ended, he came out of class, stood in front of me and said “I’m so sorry dear. I didn’t mean to be rude to a beautiful girl like you. I just wanted to show what I’m capable of. This was just a trailer of what will happen if you don’t come near me when I want you to. Next time you don’t obey, I will send a message directly to your parents about your misconduct. Next step will be suspension. Next, you don’t wanna know. Anyways you have a break now, come to my cabin. I’ll teach you math.” He winked at me and left. My eyes turned red. I was in shock. I didn’t even know what to do. I was scared of what that animal might do to me if I went to his cabin. That place made me claustrophobic. I started crying again in fear. My friends came to me and said “hey chill. He is really a cool teacher. Maybe today he was upset. Don’t cry. It’s okay to be chucked out of class and all. It’s normal in college. Relax” and they left. What did they know after all?

I went to his cabin. I was scared of my career, my goals and my dreams. Most of all I was scared that my parents might not understand. They might judge me wrong and blame me if something happens. He saw me again with a wicked smile. He closed the door again. Every heart beat of mine screamed with terror. He came nearer and before I could blink he pushed his lips on mine and there was nowhere for me to go, no voice to yell, no one to listen to. I pushed him away. I was in a state of mind where I didn’t even understand what was happening with me. All I knew was this was wrong. He then tried to do something more disgusting. He tried to put his hands inside my shirt. That’s when I knew I had to rescue myself. I was crying like I had never cried in my entire life, not even when I was born. I put in all the efforts I could and pushed him away and ran again from there for my life. When I came out, I realized what had happened. I found the right word to explain what had just happened with me. It’s called sexual harassment. I was sexually harassed. I felt disgusted like I had been stripped off. I felt like killing myself. I can’t even explain how it feels to be touched in an inappropriate way. But this had gone too far. He had kissed me, held me and abused me without my permission. And as far as the law was concerned, he was punishable. But I didn’t have the guts to tell anyone. Who would believe me? I was a normal girl wanting a good career, a good future. Who will listen to a mere teenager like me? He was the academic coordinator plus a respected teacher of my college. I had no options left. Tears weren’t stopping. The effect such a thing has on a girl is something only people who have experienced it can explain. I wanted to teach him a lesson. I wanted something like this not to happen with any girl. It’s a thing only a coward would do. But at that moment I didn’t know what to do. I was in so much of a shock. As I came out and I was crying, one of my friends Ruhi saw me. She asked me what happened. I thought the only solution I had was to confide in a friend of my own age. I knew the only way to end this is to talk to a friend and ask for help. I told her everything that happened.

“Oh my god, Roshni, that’s sick. They think girls are weak. They think they can do anything and we all will just stay quiet. I’m with you in this. You have to do something that will not affect your future. Let’s talk to everyone. You and I cannot handle this all by ourselves.” Those words filled in some hope in me. But I knew she wouldn’t risk her career to help me. She was just consoling me. Those words were just words. She wasn’t gonna stand up for me or support me if I do decide to complain to the authorities. And I knew it would be the same with the others.

In the lunch break we had an intense discussion about how to handle the situation in hand. Everyone just told me one thing “Just ignore him. That isn’t so hard, is it? If he calls you anywhere near him, don’t go. That is the only solution we can think of right now. What can he possibly do? Maybe punish you or go complain to the director that you are misbehaving. But you know you aren’t. Nothing can happen after that. Nobody can expel you for it because he will be the only teacher complaining about you. He won’t have any proof to show them. So all they can do is give you a warning and send you away. So try to bring it under your control first. If it still doesn’t stop then we all will think of something.” That was kind of helpful in retrieving back my peace of mind. They were right. I should just ignore. But was that the easier way to escape? Could I escape that way?

I was scared to go to college. I was scared of his class. The next Tuesday came even before I could breathe. I thought the best solution would be to bunk his class. I stayed back home that day. I pretended like I had a bad headache and stayed home. I knew I was just running away. This can’t go on for long. I had to attend his class some day. After his class was done, I thought I will go to college and attend the next 2 sessions. I went back and as I was climbing up the stairs, I bumped into him. I fell down and my ankle got sprained. I knew he did that on purpose. “Oh my god, look at that! Come let me take you to the first aid room.” I refused but of course he didn’t listen. He held me by the waist and took me like he really cared. I wanted to slap him there not bothered about how elderly he was to me. I was pushing him away all the time but it didn’t help. In the first aid room there was no one. It was like he was waiting for a chance. That’s when he just crossed his limits. “Show me your leg. Awww, it’s a sprain. Let me give you a massage.” He held my leg and started touching it in a weird way. Tears again started pouring down. “Don’t cry. It will be okay. Actually pull down your jeans. My massage will be more effective then.” I could feel my heart beat like it just wanted to escape. I forced myself to talk “Aryan, please. This is not right. You are a teacher for god’s sake. Behave like one. You can’t do this me. I won’t let you. You can be punished for this.” He started laughing like he had never heard anything funnier. The sarcasm scared me even more. I knew he wasn’t scared at all. Not one bit. “My dear Roshni, you are so naïve aren’t you? Nobody will believe you. Do you even understand? If you even try telling anyone, I will make sure you get expelled. I will tell them, you tried to force yourself on me. Imagine what’s gonna happen then? Your parents will be disgusted with you, even your friends that you tried to get physical with a teacher. Your life will be finished Roshni. So be a good girl and listen to me. I can promise you, you will enjoy yourself too. Just come to my house tonight. I’ll tell your parents you are gonna come to my house every Tuesday from 6 to 9 for math tuitions. How is that? Cool? That’s when my sister will be out for her classes and me and you, all alone in my house. Ok? See you then.” He came closer, held me in his arms like I was his property or something, I pushed him apart again, with tears pouring down, he didn’t feel a bit rejected and ashamed because after that he again caught hold of my face and kissed my cheeks. I was feeling so dirty about everything. I knew now that I had no escape. He was gonna call my parents and say I needed tuitions. They were not gonna let me bunk of course. I didn’t know what to do.

I went home and decided I’ll just tell them I don’t need tuitions. But both of them didn’t listen to me. All they said was “how can you not go? Your teacher is volunteering to teach you. It might help you. We will drop you and pick you up so that you can save time.” I was turning breathless. At least in college, if things went out of control, I could have yelled, someone would have come, but in his house, with no one else? He could do anything to me and for me there would have been no escape. I had to get rid of this whole thing now. I was ruining my life every single day thinking about it. I wanted my sanity back, my peace of mind back. I decided that no matter what I won’t be going to his house today and giving myself up to him. This is my life and my body. He has no right to touch me. My parents dropped me to his house. The problem was he was standing right at the door. He saw me get out from the car. My parents left. I didn’t wanna take a step further. I ran from there. He yelled at me and ran behind me to catch up with me. But I was faster. After some time, he stopped following me and he said “you are gonna pay for this!” and I kept running. I went to a park and I sat there. He couldn’t come here. There were police all around this place. I sat on one of the benches and started to think. I was again crying. I felt like I was being a coward. I was just crying and running away. This was just gonna put me in more trouble. I knew he would call my parents and tell them I didn’t attend the class. My parents would ask me why. I decided I’ll tell them the truth. I stayed in the park for 3 hours. All I did was cry and hold myself tight. I didn’t even want to think of all the methods he adopted to just touch me. It was just disgusting, frustrating. I went back home walking after that. I didn’t even know where I was, what I was doing. I was scared of the hell I was going to face at home. I reached home. My mom saw me and hugged me. She then yelled at me “where were you? Why didn’t you attend class? You ran away from his house? Why Roshni? At least you should have come back home or called us. We were so tensed. Your dad would have filed a complaint if you hadn’t come home before 10. He has gone in search of you only. I’ll call him and tell him you are back. Wait.” And she went to call dad. I just couldn’t see that. I hurt my parents so much by running away like that. I felt so guilty. I didn’t wanna hurt them more by telling them about Aryan. It would break them down. I didn’t want them to lose hopes in me. I was a 15 year old. I was big enough now. I had to handle my own mess. I didn’t wanna cry in front of my parents. I had to teach him a lesson. My dad came home and he was extremely angry. He asked me why I ran away like that. I knew he was just controlling his anger. I said “dad I’m sorry you had to go through this. I promise I will make sure you will never have to face this kind of a situation ever again. I will never disappoint you. It’s just that I’m facing a lot of pressures at college. There is just too much to study. I’m not even finding time for myself. I just have one request. I wanna start attending tuitions only from next week. I need a break dad. I just feel too stressed out. All of you are expecting so much from me. I don’t wanna put you down. For that I just need a break. After that I promise dad. I will be concentrating only on my studies and nothing else.” Actually there wasn’t a bit of lies I uttered. It was the truth. I will not let anything distract me from next week. I will end this forever. My dad hugged me and agreed. Both of them were just happy that I was home safe and sound.

The next day I knew that it was time to put my plan into action. I went straight up to him and said “Sir, I’m really sorry that I ran away from your place yesterday. Please don’t tell my parents anything. I will do whatever you wish to do. I won’t make a scene. Please sir, don’t ruin my career because of how I have behaved. Please.” He gave me that wicked smile again and said “good girl, Roshni. That’s what I want you to do. Just stay quiet and let me do everything. I won’t ruin your career now. You are being an obedient girl. In fact I’ll make sure you get distinctions in every test paper of yours I correct. Anyways for that all I expect is for you to come to my cabin in another 10min.” I knew this was gonna happen. I kept myself prepared. I said “sir, no. I feel really scared in school. My friends are getting suspicious. All the time they see me coming out of your cabin, they know something is wrong. So I say, your house again, sir?” He replied with an expression of content, “Roshni, my girl, stop calling me sir. And that was something I didn’t even expect. How much you have changed in one day! Okay. Today my sister will be home. I’m free only next Tuesday. Let’s keep it for that day. Till then whenever you find time, come over to my cabin for some fun okay?” he winked, looked here and there to see if someone was looking. There was nobody in that corridor. Without even thinking he just put his arms across my waist and pulled me close. I wanted to spit on him right there. He then left. He thought I changed because of his threats. Has he ever been more wrong? He had no clue what he had in store for him. He was gonna pay for the entire trauma he put me through. Seriously pay!

I was extremely worried about the plan I had sketched out. I needed help. I couldn’t do this without any help. I confronted Ruhi, Dinesh, Aakash, and Pari, my small group of friends to help me with this. For a moment I thought they would help me, they would do anything for me. But I was wrong. They disagreed. They were not ready to take that kind of a risk for me. I kind of expected it. If the plan doesn’t work they will be in terrible danger. They might get their futures ruined because of me. They knew the risks they should take. They said a clear no to me. I then felt like my entire life was a mess. I had no one right then. I felt like there was no option left. But I wasn’t a scared girl. I wasn’t weak! I have always been known as the brave one of my family. It was a do or die situation. I would die but I would never surrender myself to him, my body to him. I had the rights over my body. No blackmailer, rapist or harasser can dare to touch any girl. It felt like a boulder of torture just landed on my shoulder. I knew I wasn’t gonna give up but at that point of time, without any friends, without my parents, I felt like just bawling all over again. So I just sat on a bench and started crying. This time, my brittle heart took over my strong mind. I took a compass out from my box, decided to just hurt myself. I didn’t even think what I was doing. I was cutting my hand, when like an angel, she appeared out of nowhere. She saw what I was doing and snatched it out of my hand. I looked up to see the savior. It was a girl whom I had never seen in my entire life. She was short, cute and looked a little familiar when I noticed the eyes. Her eyes were red. Tears slowly poured from hers. I didn’t understand. Who was she and why would she cry? She threw the compass and came and sat next to me. She started crying. I wiped off the tears from my eyes and held her hand and asked “are you okay?” she looked at me again. I then knew what the familiarity was. She had the same eyes, that animal’s, Aryan’s eyes. I made the conclusion that she was his sister. I then asked “Are you Aryan sir’s sister?” She nodded. She wiped off the tears too and sat upright to talk to me. She said “please don’t give up Roshni. Don’t let that animal put your dignity down. Don’t let him win this time. It’s all about how you handle it. Handle it with care. Expose him Roshni. I don’t want any more girls like you facing this. I don’t wanna see you cutting your hand, killing yourself, giving up. I don’t know you personally but I definitely know that no girl is so weak that she would agree to him and let him use her body. Please fight back. Don’t ruin your life, your piece of mind. I’m ready to do anything to help you get rid of my brother. He has no place in this society. I want him out of my life, out of all our lives. He doesn’t deserve to be a teacher when he doesn’t know how to respect girls. Please do something but don’t give up” I smiled. After a long time, I wore a smile and I nodded. I told her my entire plan. She agreed to help. I felt like she was a leading light for me. A light god sent from above to show me the right path, the path of justice, and not surrendering. I had hopes now.

Next Tuesday we decided that no matter what the plan will be put into action and the results should come out successful. We took precautions and sketched out the things that could go wrong. We made sure the dangers were reduced. The plan was ready. Implementing it was the only thing left. I had to bear with him for a week. That was another problem. He disgusted me so much that seeing him seemed like the most horrible thing to happen in a day. But he didn’t come often to college because he took classes only for 3 days a week. So days passed by. It was Tuesday before I could blink.

Aryan’s sister Alia and I were set. I went to college in the morning. In the break he came up to me and said “before the actual movie starts I would like a see a bit of the trailer. I don’t want excuses today. The whole week you didn’t turn up in my cabin. Today you will have to come. After that, tonight the movie is on anyway. Okay? Come right now!” he yelled. He wasn’t being nice anymore. He was actually taking me, my fear for granted. I replied “Aryan, agreeing to what you want has been hard enough for me. You are gonna get what you want today aren’t you? When I’m in college, I want only academics to be on my mind sir. So please spare me today.” I tried walking away from there. He said “stop right there girl.” I knew I was stuck again. He didn’t have the patience anymore to wait for a few hours. “You better come now. It’s an order. Don’t act too smart. You are a girl. Behave like one. And girls obey orders. So I’ll be waiting. Come here in 5mins” he said and walked away to his cabin with that smile again. I instantly called Alia. She asked me to do what he says because if I don’t he might put me into trouble before I put him. So I went because she said she would let nothing happen to me. I trusted her and I went. He closed the door. I knew that it was just this one time and it will all be over when I go over to his place today. He held my hand, pulled me close. I don’t even want to think what he had in his mind to do next. I closed my eyes, tears poured down again, but before he could even try touching me, there was a knock heard on the door. He got tensed all of a sudden. He asked me to go hide below his chair. I listened to him. He went and opened the door. It was Alia. I couldn’t have thanked her more. She came in and looked around for me. She saw me, secretly smiled at me and asked her brother “you didn’t give me money to buy medicines for mom. Why can’t you give money on time?” he was sweating. He said “you could have called me. I would have asked my office boy to deliver it. You didn’t have to come here.” she was really being smart. She said “I was passing by. Anyways it’s been so long I came here. Where is the washroom? I’ll just come back and I’ll be in your cabin for some time. I need to use the internet. I need to deliver a mail to my college. It’s urgent. My phone isn’t working.” She said. He showed her the way to the washroom. When she went in she winked at me. Aryan instantly asked me to come out and leave his cabin immediately. He said we will meet later at his place. Her plan worked. Now it was time for mine to work.

When I came out, I saw Pari standing there. She knew everything that was happening with me. She was more of a conservative girl. She pulled me aside and said “Roshni! I now know why he has trapped you this way. It’s because of the clothes you wear. Look at it! You can definitely cover yourself a bit more. You are seeking attention from men. I’m actually happy I didn’t help you. The reason you are in this situation is purely your fault. You come decently from tomorrow, this will definitely end.” I was shocked that a girl of this generation could even think that low. I replied back to her “Pari, no offence, but honestly do you think girls who get raped, harassed and stalked are all victims because of their clothes, their boldness? India is a democratic country Pari. We can wear what we want and we have the right to stand up for ourselves. It’s the mind of the harasser that makes us victims. It’s their dirty motives, their selfish minds, the disrespect they have for girls that creates rapists and harassers. It’s not us. And the sooner we fight back, the better this country can get. One day you will definitely realize this.” And I left because I had no time to explain to her. Tomorrow people will look up to me for what I did.

It soon turned dark. My dad dropped me off at his place. I was scared more than I had ever been that moment because if my plan failed I might have nowhere to go. I went in with all the guts I could develop. Alia had left a message on my phone that everything is right in place. He opened the door with a wicked smile, let me in and instantly closed the door. I could feel my palms sweating. Its then the real action began.

He didn’t even wait for a second. He said “I want all of this to happen fast. My sister will be here in a few hours.” He pulled me close. He started to touch me. I started yelling. I kept saying “stop it. Leave me. Please stop it.” He then did. He didn’t understand what I was up to. He said “why are you resisting Roshni? I want this to go smooth and easy. I’m not forcing you darling. But if you don’t agree you know the repercussions. So just allow me and then you can go to hell” and he again continued doing what he was. I was feeling sick in the stomach and I was just waiting for the right moment. He then pushed me to the floor, took out his shirt and that’s when I just lost it. I started crying again and I knew it was time for him to be exposed. I yelled “Alia! Please save me!” and that animal stopped right then, with an expression of shock. Alia barged into the house, with 2 policemen, my parents and the principal of our college. I then got up, feeling victorious and pushed that man down to where he belongs. My parents ran and hugged me. I could see real pain in their eyes. I pushed back my tears because now he was lying in a stage I was. I didn’t have to fear anymore. I then slapped him. Alia slapped him too. My parents would have killed him if they saw him anymore so I told them to go out. Their 15year old daughter could handle it there. I then spoke with a feeling of pride “You animal!  Hell is where you belong. What did you think? I was gonna give my body up to you! It belongs to me and you have no right to touch it! I’m so done with this Aryan. Actually you’re right. ‘Sir’ doesn’t suit you. You don’t need that kind of a respect. But seriously man, how did you even think that you could go on harassing girls that way? I’m not as weak as the ones you have touched before. Girls are not weak Aryan! I’m sure you’re wondering how all this even happened. You can take your time figuring it out in jail. You will be pretty jobless there. Just because a girl wears a short skirt or a sleeveless top doesn’t mean she is characterless. It doesn’t mean she will be okay with anything. Get that straight! And if you are still thinking of ways to save yourself please give up. The proof is right there in that camera Alia installed in your living room and bedroom. You should be ashamed of yourself. You are a teacher. You just ruined the purity that should exist in a teacher student relationship. Yuck! I feel disgusted to even know you as a teacher. Touching girls without their permission is cowardly. It’s just not done! Your own sister went against you. You know why? Because she is a girl! It’s not the 19^th century. Men don’t lead this world anymore. I know you will never get the balls to even look at a girl again. That’s what you deserve. Now you go to hell!” and I kicked him hard. I swear I would have done way more than that but I didn’t wanna turn into a criminal. I had a future to look forward to. I trust that two people will definitely punish him, the law and his own conscious. So I just hugged Alia, thanked her and went home. My parents were still shocked but they were proud of me. They were amazed that I fought this all by myself. But they asked me to promise them one thing that is; I will always tell them about the problems I face no matter how intense they are. I agreed.

The next day I went to college, I was the most popular girl all of a sudden. Everyone came to me saying I was a hero. I indeed was a hero. A hero need not be Spiderman, batman or he-man. A hero is anyone who fights for a good cause. I never felt more peaceful after that. Even Pari came and apologized to me. She said I completely enlightened her. Now she has a different opinion about life. I’m still recovering from the shock but I’m happy I got back my peace of mind, my friends and my academics back to its old routine. The only job left now is to clear my entrance exams. I have a long life to go now. 

Author's Note

I hope each and every man and women out there can connect to the situation and feel the charecter Roshni. I hope the fact that it is based on an Indian teenager will not make it less relevant to anybody else. This is a universal genre and it is for each and every one of the audience to read. Thank you