The following is an incidence that happened in my life recently. It’s a true
story (wish it had never happened, though, and even if it did, wish it never
ended the same). But as they say, some things are meant to happen! It has taught
me a lot in a short span of 30 minutes and the memories will stay with me for a
long time – which is a good thing as it’ll help me be more responsible. Without
adding more to the suspense and without further ado, I’ll directly jump onto
the story.
There are some guys (perhaps girls too) who drink too much and can't handle
it. It was a usual day and I was on my way back home. It was about 6:30 pm. While
crossing the bridge in Dadar (one of the busiest railway stations in Mumbai) I
found a drunken guy wandering around. He looked disgusting in his worn out
clothes and one could make out that he was drunk by just going near him. He
soon suddenly began stalking a girl. He was trying to grab her attention by
walking closely behind her and occasionally staring at her from the side. She sprinted,
changed her route, slowed down and tried everything to dodge him, but he
continued. He followed her to the ticket window and waited while she took her
ticket. At first, I thought he perhaps knows her and she’s just angry at him
for something he has done (may be a sad love story), but soon I realized that
that wasn’t the case.
I began following them closely to see whether the girl knows him. After she
took the ticket he continued following her. While getting down the stairs she gathered
enough courage to turn back, yell at him and warn him that she’ll call the
police if he didn’t stop stalking her. That’s when I was sure that he was a
random stranger harassing an innocent girl. I sprinted and tried getting hold
of that guy, but to my surprise, both of them disappeared suddenly. I felt really
ashamed of myself. I didn’t realize what impact my ignorance or indifference
can have on someone else’s life. The girl was going through a mental trauma, or
perhaps much more. She (and may be many such girls) would be scared to move out
on the streets because of such horrendous experiences. That guy might have left
a lasting scar on her mind. The next time she walks on that bridge, she might
never feel secure again. I could have helped her but somehow just didn't want
to get into a mess. Somehow I felt I'm responsible for what happened to her.
She didn't have to go through it. I could have helped but I chose not to. I was
really disappointed in myself – felt like an irresponsible citizen.
Luckily, just minutes after that, I came to the platform to catch my train and
saw that guy following another girl. I began chasing him this time. Coincidentally,
a female police officer walked past me just about the same time. I told her
about this guy who’s drunk and is following girls. She found him and realized
that he's drunk. She thanked me for bringing it to her notice and dragged him away
(hopefully to the police station).
By handing him over to the police, I might have saved a few other girls from
getting traumatized but I feel utterly humiliated that I couldn't stand up for
a girl who had no choice but to go through this. I respect all women and after
this incidence, I’m sure that I will never let this happen again. Girls deserve
to be treated with high respect; it's high time we (filthy) men understand that. If
you’re a guy reading this, please make sure you don’t repeat the mistake I did
and if you’re the drunk guy in this story, then I hope you get locked up in
jail! If you’re a girl, please make sure to immediately report such an
incidence and make people around you aware of what you’re going through. I’m
sure many people around you would understand your situation and react
appropriately........wish I had!
