Living in this 21st century travelling alone in the night is still scary. You never know what awaits your way! likewise I wanted to share my personal experience here. It's not about sex and nothing about feminism just me and my life experience. Travel with me throughout my story.
I'm a student with a part time business. I tend to travel a lot for meeting my clients. Just like the other day I was returning home from Chennai after meeting my work partner. I was supposed to come by bike with my friend but he had to leave to meet his granny who lives alone in Chennai. I told him “ hey, I'm scared of travelling in the bus at night… can't you come with me?” he said “ I'm sorry, I miss my ‘nani’ a lot.. can't you go by bus this once?” I agreed!
I could've stayed or come by a cab. I can't stay because I'm not allowed to stay outside and must return home no matter what! I didn't book the cab because I felt bus is lot safer than the cab and also booking the cab might exceed my budget.
I found myself a seat. I made sure that the bus is filled with some people and I sat next to an old couple to pretend that I'm not alone. I heard a voice from my behind saying “ Madam, could you please help me to move your hand thus I could adjust the window” I was surprised by that man's politeness towards me and was literally thinking how come someone respect a younger woman who's almost 30 years younger to you and I was quite sure that I'll reach home safe and nothing to worry!
It is a 230 mins travel. The first one hour was smooth and I felt sleepy but I told myself I should stay awake and started sipping the cold coffee brew which I bought before getting on the bus. I took the ear pods off and was immersing myself in the wind. After a while I started feeling uneasy near my back and I thought as I placed my arms on the bar of the window thus the air passing throw might made me uncomfortable. Little did I know that the polite, kind and respectful old man couldn't control his hand!
He didn't stop and was trying to reach my breast and I felt nothing because of the cup bra's thickness yet he continued doing it and I felt that something is wrong happening to me! I grabbed his hand while he is trying to reach me. I can't accept the fact that this is happening again to me. I was determined that I'm not gonna shut my mouth and move on to the other seat but I'm going to speak up!
I yelled at that old man and made sure that I'm not going to cry! I scolded him ; Instead of changing my seat I made him to change his seat this time.. I was so proud of myself that I stood up for me. At the same time angry at the public beside me.
But…
You can't say it happened because of the dress I wore! (p.s I was wearing a well covered kurta)
You can't say that a female mustn't travel at night
Nope It's not that old man …. neither the passengers nor the conductor and driver… It's the person that you love and live around… Yes!, I am talking about my best friend and my parent….. guess what was my 6 years of friendship's reaction???
keep guessing and I'll tell you on my next blog <3
