Who Cares?

These were the days of Zubin's internship when he was just out of university. On the way back home late night at around 12.30 midnight, he missed his bus and started walking since the distance to his place was not a long one. It was cold winter in Delhi and not a soul was visible on the streets. He reached a bus stop where he saw a few girls standing. His first impression was correct, they were call girls.

He decided act as if he did not see them and increased his pace of walking. They called him and shouted quite a few lines but he decided not giving a shit about it. He could see one of the girls following him but pretended as if he doesn’t know.

Suddenly, that girl increased her pace and caught him. She stopped me and said, "I am not one among them, I swear I just missed cab to my office and I was waiting here till they all appeared". She even showed Zubin the ID card of her office. Now, he was not sure what to do and didn’t know how to react. Before he could say anything, she continued, "Can I walk with you till next bus stop. You know it is not safe being alone; I will get a taxi from next stop and leave." He thought about it and said "OK".

There no really no one on the streets, the police control rooms were either empty or the people on duty were sleeping. Zubin was feeling really discomfited and awkward.

They walked along without even saying a word and reached the next bus stop and there were no taxis. Zubin didn’t say anything and told her that if she wants, he can wait till she gets a taxi. She was a bit reluctant but then, agreed. Zubin was really tired after working and wanted to crash in bed but there he was, waiting for one dam taxi to appear and that too for someone who he didn’t even know. He waited and waited and it was almost 2’O clock midnight and he had lost his patience.

He told her that he ought to leave because he has to reach office at 7.00 AM morning. Zubin could see that she was feeling scared and knew she was alone; still he was adamant on leaving. She said that she will die of fear and he either accompanies her to hostel or wait till she gets a taxi. He got furious thinking why the hell should he help her? Zubin actually didn’t know what to do, to be or not to be. But then, he left without saying a word, not even looking back. He didn’t want to get into any trouble and left.

He went home crashed in bed only to wake up 8.00 AM in morning. He was running late for office and was getting ready. He switched on the TV while he was eating breakfast. And there he saw the news that haunted him for the rest of his life. That very girl he met last night had been raped and murdered on that very road where he left him.

And there was Zubin, crying like a baby, shaking and blaming himself for what had happened. He simply could have changed her fate. We all are just so busy in our lives that we don’t really care. And all that exists is lies, frauds & deception.

According to Mamkol, “Who to blame when we ourselves are a part of this dirty game”?