She woke up in a room with needles and bottles hanging above her. She could hear faint sounds outside but could not recognize them. The room did not look like a hospital ward, so where was she exactly? A few minutes later, a man with a tray filled with juice and medicines walked in. She tried conversing but received no response. It all seemed so confusing. Why was she being kept alive?
Over the course of the next few days, her routine had become predictable. There was no going or coming just surviving. She pulled herself and began reflecting on her past to understand the present.
She was an outstanding athlete hailing from a small town and at 19 was part of the National Athletic team. Her dedication and commitment was an inspiration to all her class mates. All she lacked was diplomacy; she gave it as good as she received it.
One day after completing her practice as she was walking towards her home, a good 30 minute walk she saw a group of men attempting to kidnap two young children. She screamed and while quickly dialling the police, she ran to the children and started pushing the men away. The men turned their attention to her, hitting her but she continued to fight. Very soon a hand with a moist handkerchief was placed on her nose and she lost consciousness.
A few hours later, she found herself tied to pole in a huge hall. As her eyes moved, she saw at least 100 more women and children in the same position. Human trafficking, something she had merely heard off and now she was living it. Deals were been made between parties for the captured, prices were been haggled upon. They were no more human beings but a price tag and very soon her destiny was been decided. She tried to scream, cut free but the cold metallic chains on her limbs and the suffocating gag in her mouth offered no solace. Every 3 to 4 hours, someone would remove the gag and pour water or liquid into her mouth and take her to a public washroom. Time had just stopped for all. Every day new people were brought in and few people would move out.
Within a week, her call came. She was to be sent out of country. That day, she received a bath and was given new clothes to wear. A woman was sent to make her look presentable, suddenly loads of makeup was applied to wash away the tears and look of fear.
At the airport, she was accompanied by numerous people who watched her every move. She knew her life depended on her making the most of the moment. At the counter, as her fake husband showed their passports, she suddenly collapsed. All the people gathered around her along with medical and security team. She screamed on top of her lungs for help and the people around her got arrested.
The issue escalated to the highest authority and and with support from the media she was finally sent home. She was excited to meet her family, her relatives and friends but was surprised to notice that after the initial pseudo happiness, people were more concerned in knowing if she was still a virgin. Every time she walked by, people would gossip about her, make sneer remarks as if she had asked to be abducted.
Some time later, her own family members found it difficult to relate to her. They had other children and the bad reputation was not helping. To make matters worse, some of the assailants had been set free in a few months after receiving political support and had begun harassing her through phone calls and sudden visits. She was stuck within the confines of the house and it seemed a new prison for her. 'I went from bad to worse', though Meena.
Her assailants were at the door looking for their pound of flesh. She quivered, glancing around the house for help but none forthcoming. All she saw was pained expressions ready to offer her in exchange for some peace. The daily struggles and tribulations had taken its toll on every house member and now a closure was the only solution. Meena walked stealthily towards the door, asking herself, "How did it come to this?
Outside, they had started banging the door loudly, any minute or two they would tear it down. She opened the door and faced her assailants. Within seconds, shots rang into the air and she collapsed.
A few minutes later, sirens were heard and both police and ambulances were whisking an unconscious, brutally hurt Meena away.
As she lay on the so called hospital bench, she had an unusual visitor, Ms. Shobha Tyagi. This lady moved with immense confidence, seemed poised and understanding. She mentioned she had followed her case from day one, people had been protecting her and knowing the experiences of the past, it was best to keep her from everyone's glares. She has been shot and declared dead by the doctors for the society but the department had moved her to this safe house for further treatment. She belonged to the 'prevention of Human trafficking agency' and wished to offer her a job which would entail immense hard-work, risk and disconnection with family. Meena knew that the family was happy to bury her than receive her and her decision was quick and final.
Over time she discovered talents that she had never realized, she could become anybody, anytime. She could move as an air-hostess, waitress, home maker, doctor, teacher and no one would know the difference. Every day, she sat with the list of human traffickers, creating strategies to remove them from the face of the earth. Her field work and dedication was appreciated by the entire department, especially Shobha who empathized with Meena that within the society her existence had ceased. Her identification was the existing operation and her family was herself but still she held no regrets because finally she was making a difference, a difference to the nation and looking at the agency members she was convinced that with deep sacrifices came the victories. Very soon the deplorable men in the town will have it coming.
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Over the course of the next few days, her routine had become predictable. There was no going or coming just surviving. She pulled herself and began reflecting on her past to understand the present.
She was an outstanding athlete hailing from a small town and at 19 was part of the National Athletic team. Her dedication and commitment was an inspiration to all her class mates. All she lacked was diplomacy; she gave it as good as she received it.
One day after completing her practice as she was walking towards her home, a good 30 minute walk she saw a group of men attempting to kidnap two young children. She screamed and while quickly dialling the police, she ran to the children and started pushing the men away. The men turned their attention to her, hitting her but she continued to fight. Very soon a hand with a moist handkerchief was placed on her nose and she lost consciousness.
A few hours later, she found herself tied to pole in a huge hall. As her eyes moved, she saw at least 100 more women and children in the same position. Human trafficking, something she had merely heard off and now she was living it. Deals were been made between parties for the captured, prices were been haggled upon. They were no more human beings but a price tag and very soon her destiny was been decided. She tried to scream, cut free but the cold metallic chains on her limbs and the suffocating gag in her mouth offered no solace. Every 3 to 4 hours, someone would remove the gag and pour water or liquid into her mouth and take her to a public washroom. Time had just stopped for all. Every day new people were brought in and few people would move out.
Within a week, her call came. She was to be sent out of country. That day, she received a bath and was given new clothes to wear. A woman was sent to make her look presentable, suddenly loads of makeup was applied to wash away the tears and look of fear.
At the airport, she was accompanied by numerous people who watched her every move. She knew her life depended on her making the most of the moment. At the counter, as her fake husband showed their passports, she suddenly collapsed. All the people gathered around her along with medical and security team. She screamed on top of her lungs for help and the people around her got arrested.
The issue escalated to the highest authority and and with support from the media she was finally sent home. She was excited to meet her family, her relatives and friends but was surprised to notice that after the initial pseudo happiness, people were more concerned in knowing if she was still a virgin. Every time she walked by, people would gossip about her, make sneer remarks as if she had asked to be abducted.
Some time later, her own family members found it difficult to relate to her. They had other children and the bad reputation was not helping. To make matters worse, some of the assailants had been set free in a few months after receiving political support and had begun harassing her through phone calls and sudden visits. She was stuck within the confines of the house and it seemed a new prison for her. 'I went from bad to worse', though Meena.
Her assailants were at the door looking for their pound of flesh. She quivered, glancing around the house for help but none forthcoming. All she saw was pained expressions ready to offer her in exchange for some peace. The daily struggles and tribulations had taken its toll on every house member and now a closure was the only solution. Meena walked stealthily towards the door, asking herself, "How did it come to this?
Outside, they had started banging the door loudly, any minute or two they would tear it down. She opened the door and faced her assailants. Within seconds, shots rang into the air and she collapsed.
A few minutes later, sirens were heard and both police and ambulances were whisking an unconscious, brutally hurt Meena away.
As she lay on the so called hospital bench, she had an unusual visitor, Ms. Shobha Tyagi. This lady moved with immense confidence, seemed poised and understanding. She mentioned she had followed her case from day one, people had been protecting her and knowing the experiences of the past, it was best to keep her from everyone's glares. She has been shot and declared dead by the doctors for the society but the department had moved her to this safe house for further treatment. She belonged to the 'prevention of Human trafficking agency' and wished to offer her a job which would entail immense hard-work, risk and disconnection with family. Meena knew that the family was happy to bury her than receive her and her decision was quick and final.
Over time she discovered talents that she had never realized, she could become anybody, anytime. She could move as an air-hostess, waitress, home maker, doctor, teacher and no one would know the difference. Every day, she sat with the list of human traffickers, creating strategies to remove them from the face of the earth. Her field work and dedication was appreciated by the entire department, especially Shobha who empathized with Meena that within the society her existence had ceased. Her identification was the existing operation and her family was herself but still she held no regrets because finally she was making a difference, a difference to the nation and looking at the agency members she was convinced that with deep sacrifices came the victories. Very soon the deplorable men in the town will have it coming.
You have brought out the girls perspective and her emotions very beautifully. I liked how you handled the death of an identity and reconstruct of another one. I would have liked to see more on the transition. Overall,well expressed.
ReplyDeleteDear Kavita
ReplyDeleteYou have brought to light very touching and move dark reality which we prefer yo negate rather than admit and correct. Well expressed the pain and anguish but I really liked the positive climax which gives us hope in such a bleak situation. THANKS FOR SHARING
Dear Kavita
ReplyDeleteYou have brought to light very touching and move dark reality which we prefer yo negate rather than admit and correct. Well expressed the pain and anguish but I really liked the positive climax which gives us hope in such a bleak situation. THANKS FOR SHARING