2009 Feb
I was waiting outside my colony for an auto. It was a bright and beautiful early spring morning. My Husband's First ever photo exhibition was to open the next day. I was going to the Gallery to help him put up the photos. I was in a hurry. Also I was in a good mood and bit in my thoughts, thinking expectantly for the big day of our lives....
I carried my big purse, my camera bag, on my two shoulders and a bottle bag in my right hand filled with a 1 liter water bottle and waited, shifting my weight carrying too many things.
Suddenly I felt a hand lingering and pinching on the left upper part of my body. Shocked out of my reverie I turned to my left and from the corner of my eyes saw a hand, clad in a black shirt, go behind me towards the right... His plan was to touch me on left from behind and as I turn left he would just vanish into the crowd from my right. He would have succeeded if he wasn't in a full sleeve shirt. Promptly I turned to my right and saw a man in a black shirt walking away coolly.
My mind exploded. I just ran and pulled him by his shoulders with my left hand ( which was the only free hand) and he turned around to face me and I immediately thurst my bottle bag with my right hand right under his chin. I think he instantly cut his tongue and he bent forward slightly cause he wasn't expecting the blow.
Then I boxed him on his nose and luckily he was a thin chap and he fell down. That is when I beat him really bad, kicking and using my bottle as a weapon. All this happened in broad daylight and there were several people around me -- none of whom came to help me, -- instead they kept asking "what happened, Kya hua".....
I had no time to think.. I couldn't leave my expensive camera and the cash I was carrying in my bag. I clutched all my stuff and rained blows on that sleaze ball.
By then the guy was lying on the road, bleeding profusely from his mouth and nose and begging to be forgiven. Then I took a good look and realized he was one of the labourers working for the DELHI METRO project across the road.
Three thoughts raced through my mind
1) he could have an accomplice
2) he could pull my stuff and run , thus he could be a chain snatcher or
3) he could have a knife, thus he could hurt me
4) It was a big, busy and important day in our lives and I couldn't ruin it for my husband by calling him to the police station
SO I had to do what I had to do THEN, RIGHT THERE.... So I beat him some more and suddenly seeing the fracas an auto slowed down. I just heard the auto wala asking "kya hua madam" and I immediately ran into the auto and said, "drive...."
Yes I ran.... cause if I waited to take him to the police.. and from my past harrowing experience with police assured me that it would have ruined my entire plans for the day.
The auto wala told me "aap to pura bhig gaye"... then I realised that I was drenched as the water bottle must have burst.... I couldn't talk... so he said, "thora pani pee lo, phir batao kahan jaana hai.. Police station chaloon?"
I took a look at the man... he was a young chap, he was peering at the mirror over his head and talking to my reflection with a concerned look. For a minute I wanted to burst out crying.... but then I told him to keep going. He kept moving very slowly waiting for my instructions.... after two minutes I calmed down and went to the Gallery.
My husband was very disturbed by the incident, But I felt good that I didn't leave that guy. We worked till midnight that day and finished our project well....
I kept talking to my GOD, telling him, "yes it was an obstruction to ruin our first ver exhibition... I am glad I handled it on my own"
But when I came back home that night I couldn't sleep for almost 2 weeks and had severe nightmares. The violence of the entire episode was too much for me.. For over a month I didn't leave the house without my husband. I was extremely scared that he might just be one of the workers who knows where I live and might come back for revenge.
Luckily nothing has happened, but I still don't like to go out and stand for an auto at that place.
BTW I was wearing a cargo pants and a full sleve t-shirt, no jewellery and some sindoor.
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