And I am not talking about my crowning glory but body hair esp those that religiously grow on your arms and legs every 6 days and refuse to let go the prized possession- You!

What an eventful day it was and I wish I had opted for my hair removal…

It was end week of Dec and I was all set to hibernate in my quilt. Blame it on Delhi winters or my laziness that I refused to tend to my hair removal ritual.

I am anyways dressed in layers so who cares and got lost in my dream world again. Tringggggg my phone rang, it was a call from office wherein my boss called to tell me that I have to catch the next flight at 10:00 am to Mumbai for an urgent meeting at Mumbai office. One of the top Business house (and a probable client) in Australia was visiting us for an important discussion and my presence in non negotiable. My tickets have been arranged and PNR sent to me, all I have to do is to pack and shoot.

10:00 am? Weirdo! It’s 8:00 am and I am yet to get out of bed, get ready, pack and reach airport at least an hour before all in all braving Gurgaon’s crazy morning traffic. I had no time to think and jumped out of bad. Recession time, can’t say no at office. I rushed to bathroom, hurried my way to wardrobe and took out my jackets et all errrr…Mumbai weather is hot, my jackets won’t work. So I searched for some better options in formals but could found none. There’s a theory of contradiction that suggest- when you need something, there are least chances that you will find it available.

My company just signed a multi-million contract with a foreign brand for Indian operations. We barely had any time before we could hit this five star lounge for post deal signing celebrations, leaving my distant hope to find a parlor to get rid of my body hair in hopeless lurch. I cannot skip this party as it may have bad reflection  on my company and our clients. So I relentlessly agreed and moved towards the venue. We are not prepared for it, so we didn't carry evening dress. So cool, I am sorted. (At least for this evening) I sighed. I thought I will excuse myself in middle of party and avail hair removal services at hotel’s saloon in pretext of an urgent call. Good plan but it didn't work. The client loved my presentation so much that he glued to me throughout evening, discussing way forward on the ideas and other things. The party became engrossing and soon everyone began to hit the dance floor. I was asked to be relaxed and remove my "oh so formal jacket" like my other colleagues and get in the groove. I refused on pretext that I am comfortable as it is keeping me warm from excessive AC cooling in the lounge. Believe me I was such an odd peg in the whole hole but do I really had no choice. So I danced with my jackets on as in morning hurry I couldn't care to replace my short shirt with a long sleeved one. Little did I expected that the day will turn this long. Little did I expected that my hair removal sloth will take me to such situations.

I was like this little Miss two left foot on the floor. The music was good and in heat of moment one of these ladies from client side (who by this time started getting very well along with me) came forth and removed my jackets from me. “Goshhhhhhhhhh there’s a bear out there”- she quipped. “I am really sorry. I didn't know about this”, she said as she returned that jacket to me, half embarrassed.  I was frozen to death there hoping that others didn't notice. My hopes were short lived as my colleague Natasha came forth and remarked- “now we know why you weren't removing your jacket throughout” she winked. I was dead embarrassed and spent my entire evening ruing over my unshaven arms while my colleagues taking away my glories to their account, gossiping about me. 

The story became a hot cake in my office for next few days, my colleague happily munching over it in hush-hush playful jeers and cheers for a long time.

How much I wished I would have opted for my hair removal L

Little Sia did not comprehend what is the “puhky” thing going in her little stomach. She asked her mother several times but Pushpa, busy in her own chores didn’t seem to pay much heed to it. Sia as usual would be using excuse to not go to school, she thought.

“Sia” she said, packing her tiffin box in her school bag. “No more excuses. Here’s your bag, school bus would be coming anytime soon.

Sia picked her bag and left half heartedly.

It was 6’0 clock in the evening and Sia didn’t returned back from the park she went to play. Furtive Pushpa and her husband searched for everywhere. From the park to homes of all her friends, they searched but in vain. They went to police station and lodged a complaint for missing Sia. Next morning police took them to the park to identify a girl they found there. It was Sia, drapped in a while cloth.

Someone abducted her while she was playing with her friends, raped, killed and thrown her in park.

Her story was highlighted in a section of newspaper and soon buried under archives. Police couldn’t find the rapist.

___

Sapna, as her name suggested, was full of dreams. Dreams in her eyes, she wanted to conquer the world. She was a bright student, single focused on building a career and living with pride. She selected as a cadet in her college and was given scholarship to continue her studies.

Every morning she used to walk to her college. Dinesh, a hooligan with his friends often used to tease her on her way up and down. She would often ignore them, their dirty offers and subsequent dirty remarks and move her way. First politely and then she told them strictly to not disturb her anymore as she is not their types and wanted to stay away from them. The hooligan didn't stopped and caught her by his hands and asked to love him. She slapped and ran away scared.

One night when she was sleeping, they come to her house and thrown acid on her which badly bruised her face and body.

Sapna is still struggling to get back to normal and her poor father in spite of all his efforts, still struggling to get her justice.

Her story became headlines on few news channel and timelines on Facebook. There were online petitions signed on her name too. A very little happened to Sapna. Her’ dreams stood broken and she is waiting for acceptance of her plea for death.

 ___________

Sana, in her bridal finery couldn't stop blushing. She turned her gaze to admire her husband who returned an admiring look on his face. “You are the prettiest bride I have ever seen” he said to her. Sana couldn't contain the joy in her heart and went red with blush.

Sajid was a very romantic husband and he couldn't leave Sana aloof even for a moment. Soon after her wedding, Sana moved with her in laws. They were quite fond of her and insisted she take the responsibility of whole house including cooking. Soon their love translated into demands and demands into cruelties. Sajid use to stay mum. Sana silently suffered everything but one day her patience gave up and she shot back at her mother in law. That night was most gruesome for her. She was beaten black and blue by Sajid and left locked in room unless she seeks forgiveness from his mother. Helpless Sana went to her, bent on her knees and said sorry. The chronicles of torture just accelerated from there. She has become a full time servant in the house during days and slave to her husband during nights. Every time the family wanted to have a new car or jewelry or any gadget, Sana’s parents were used as ATM cards. She protested but ended up getting beaten. Soon Sajid withdrew from her and often used to stay out at nights.

One morning, neighbors heard a strange sound of explosion from Sana’s house. Sana was burnt dead explosion.

People spoke about her for few days, gossiped that her in laws killed her and her husband was having another house with a wife at other side of town. Memories fade and stories died. The world soon forgot who Sana was.

_____________

Sushma wanted to bring reform in her tiny little village. She wanted to bring women empowerment by providing better education for girl child. She fought against female infanticide and dowry in society. The owners of society out casted her. They called her names and her daughter illegitimate. Sushma’s husband left her for other women. She was from the lower strata of society and education was her best weapon. She sent her daughter Sampada to big city for a better education. One evening when Sampada was getting back to her hostel, she was kidnapped by few rich guys on road and was raped by them in the moving car and was thrown out to die.

Sushma risked all that she had to get her best education and seeing her daughter in such condition, stabbed her heart with a hot iron sword. She went around asking for help but no one listened to her. They blamed Sampada for wearing jeans, they blamed Sushma too. They said like mother, like daughter. They blamed why she was out of her house. Sampada’ college canceled her seat to avoid any controversy to their name and Sushma out casted from the village.

Their story too came in news for few days.

…and the world was silent again

____________

Daily one Sia or Sampada is being raped/ molested, one Sapna is being tortured or a Sana is burnt dead but we chose to stay silent. Yes, we are scared and we are thus silent. What should we blame more- Silence or scare or being silent scaring a scar? Pl save all Sia, Sampada and Sana around.