Delayed Justice Not Enough
“ Even at the age of thirty when I recall the horrifying incident I faced in my childhood , I get terribly shaken from the core of my heart .” I said to Tarun who had recently entered into my life and had been courting me for quite some time .
“ Can you tell me your story ? “
“ I don’t want to tell , at least at this moment . “
He consoled me and said “ Forget whatever happened in the past , let it go . Are you ready to move on with me ? “
“ Not yet sure . I have to go . “
After Tarun left I started rewinding my past .Actually I had been avoiding closeness to any man because of my childhood shock . I didn’t like any man, no matter how respected he might be in society . I can't write off what happened that night in my past .
I was hardly 11 years old then . My father was working in an IT firm and had got a job and Visa for the USA . We were scheduled to leave next month .
The wedding ceremony of my classmate Kiya’s sister was scheduled for next week . She was my classmate and my closest friend . Though our families were not so close to each other, my parents were invited . She said “ All of you must come . After all , I don’t know when we will meet in the future after you go to the USA .”
I went with my parents but they returned after the Jaimal ceremony and dinner . Kiya insisted that I stay and she persuaded my parents who finally agreed . She said “ Uncle, she will return tomorrow at noon after Vidaii of Didi . I will accompany her to drop by your house .”
I was also eager to see the wedding customs but after midnight I felt too tired and sleepy .I was napping in the wedding Mandap . Kiya noticed me and said “ If you want to sleep or take a rest you can go to my bedroom .”
I went to her bedroom and was soon asleep .I was wearing a beautiful lehenga . After some time I felt my Lehenga folded up and Kunal leaning over me . Kunal was the elder brother of Kiya . He was in the eleventh class in our school . I said “ Where is Kiya ? Why are you here ? “
I was too innocent then to realize what he was doing further but my heart said what he was doing was very bad besides hurting me . I was sobbing and he was consoling and telling me to relax and keep silent .
He left hurriedly within ten minutes and warned me not to tell anyone about his deeds . He also said if I dared to tell , it would anger Kiya forever besides my losing her friendship. Later Kiya came to my room in the wee hours . I told her about Kunal . She also asked me not to talk about it to anyone otherwise it will shame both families . Also it will be a stigma for me and my future will be ruined as no one would like to marry me .
My pelvic area was hurting but I didn’t say anything about it to anybody . Next day when I returned to my home I bathed and cleaned my lingerie myself .
After a couple of weeks I came to the USA with my parents . Kiya came to bid me goodbye and said “ Be in touch with me . “
I frequently felt pain in my stomach which continued for more than a couple of months after I came to the USA . When my mummy noticed she took me to a lady doctor . After examining the doctor took mom to one corner and said something in her ears
I noticed through the glass walls of the clinic the face of my mother turned pale and anxious . The doctor was talking to her . Then the doctor called me also and asked “ Do you have any boyfriend ? “
When I said no , she further asked “ Don’t hide anything . Tell us frankly - Did any boy sleep with you ? “
When I explained the story of that night the doctor said “ Your daughter had been raped and she is pregnant . “
This was the first time I heard the word ‘ rape ‘ and what Kiya’s brother did with me was a rape .
Then my mother and the doctor had a long conversation in my absence . After that the doctor said to mummy “ Bring her to me the next day for further examination . “
When we went to the clinic the next day my mummy said “ I want her abortion . So far her dad is unaware of this tragedy but if he happens to know I don’t know what will happen . “
I added another word ‘ abortion’ to my vocabulary for the first time . The doctor said “ Abortion is illegal in our state . If this is your only option you will have to go to another state . “
When I asked about abortion , she scolded “ Just shut up . Never utter this word any more . It is a simple cleaning of dirt in your stomach which is causing you pain . “
The very next day my mummy took me to her cousin living in an adjacent state where abortion was legal. My dad was told that we were going just for two days for a formal family visit . We went to a gynecologist there . My mummy told her about my abortion . She examined me then said “ I am sorry she can’t withstand abortion .”
“ But why ? “
“ Because her pelvic bones are not fully developed to withstand abortion . Her life will be in danger . I can’t take the risk and advise you also not to risk the baby's life . I hope you love your kid . “
“ Sure , I do love her . She is our only child . “
“ Then forget abortion .”
We returned to our home . That night mummy told the whole story to my dad . He was also shocked and angry . But he kept cool . He called me and said “ Why didn’t you tell us this in the beginning . “
I shivered and couldn’t get the courage to say a word . Still I didn’t know the seriousness of their concern . I was told to block Kiya's number and advised not to talk to her or any of her family members anymore . My father got transferred to another state and I stopped going to school . I was homeschooling .Homeschooling is recognised in all the states of the USA . However it becomes the parent's responsibility to keep the child on track with the state ‘s educational standard and ensure readiness for graduation .
Even though I was homeschooling and practically under home arrest I was advised or rather warned to keep off from any outsider . boy or male in particular. So I became a homeschooler and delivered my baby girl , at the age of 12 .
I put all my effort into my studies . I maintained good standardized test scores . I provided my transcripts and recommendations to get admission in tenth grade in a reputed school.
We got US citizenship within eight years . My parents cooperated and encouraged me throughout . I was worried about my baby’s , Mona’s , future but my mom said “ Don’t panic . You are in America and being a single mother is not a stigma here . Life might be a bit tough to deal with . You have to take Mona in confidence as she grows .”
Within four years I was doing a major in Computer Science .But all these days I kept away from any boy . I was called a crazy misandrist in my high school and college days . My professor Mrs Bose was very kind to me and also she was equally concerned about being misandrist , my male hating nature . She asked “ What if you would have delivered a boy instead of a girl . “
I said “ I thought that the baby girl was lucky . Had she been a boy I would have disowned him due to my misandrist nature .”
She gradually convinced me that all men are not wicked . She gave me clues to distinguish good from bad . It is natural and necessary to have a life partner from the opposite sex . She introduced me to her brother-in-law , her husband’s younger brother Mr Tarun . He had joined as assistant professor in my department . This was a formal introduction and I had no interest in him.
After graduation I got a job in a reputed IT company . Tarun and Mrs Bose were in constant touch with me . They used to visit me while I had been avoiding any personal visit to their house . Mrs Bose told me that Tarun is ready to accept me with my child .Mrs Bose and Tarun were in contact with my parents also .
After a few months, I suddenly came to know through my parents that Kunal had joined an IT company in another western state of the USA . My parents approached him and told about his son and asked Kunal to marry me .
Kunal said “ I am sorry this is impossible . I am already married and a father of two kids . More ever why after so many years your daughter is claiming her baby is mine . It’s hard to believe . “
When I knee about Kunal’s refusal to marry me I could understand but his last words of suspicion about my character angered both me and my parents . When Tarun came to know about Kunal’s presence in the USA , he said to my parents “ Uncle , don’t let this criminal go unpunished . I will suggest your daughter must sue Kunal for his deeds . “
“ Is it possible now in the USA ? “ my dad asked
“ It's a hundred percent possible and I assure you people will get justice here . “
My parents went to an attorney and discussed the matter . He said “ Well you can sue that guy . I think he might not get prison but he will have to pay damages and costs for the upbringing of his child . “
My parents , Tarun and Mrs . Bose asked me to sue Kunal and I did so , though half heartedly . Tarun said “ Kunal deserves punishment . “
During trial in the initial stages Kunal denied fathering my baby . A DNA test was ordered by the court which proved Kunal’s fatherhood . He was asked to pay for the upbringing and maintenance of my daughter . He had to sell his house and go back to India .
After a few days Mrs Bose and Tarun came to our house . Mrs Bose said to my father while looking at me at the same time “ Look , your daughter’s offender has been punished , though delayed and not adequately enough for the offence he committed . Now your daughter must move on .She has a long life ahead . “
Tarun also said to my parents “ Please suggest that she moves on . After a few years when Mona goes to university , she has to leave your family . In America, kids are independent from an early age and they don’t like family’s interference in their private life .Mona is a very good and bright student . A good future awaits her . She might have to move away . We will be undoubtedly emotionally attached to her and she will be our kid . But in the end you must think solitary life is painful . We need a life companion .Isn’t it ? “
Saying this Tarun looked at me expecting an answer from me . I kept mum . My parents said to Tarun “ Let us give her some more time . She should also realize that her parents are not immortal . She should move on . “
Finally I too decided to move on with Tarun .
xxxxxxx
Note - This story is purely a work of fiction .
