Discovering Gandhi - 1

[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]Someone was following her. She had read about stalkers, [FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]but they belonged in a different, violent world. She had no idea who it could be, who would want to harm her. She was desperately trying hard not to panic. It had been only 2 weeks now that she has been in India to visit the monumental country and was walking to her rented apartment after the dinner. Perhaps its all my imagination, Ashley Patterson thought. Slowly she turned back to her destination, when a man jumped on her from behind the bushes and clasped her mouth with his hands. Two more men now emerged quickly to hold on to her wiggling legs and hands. She couldn't believe this was happening to her. After all the trouble she had convincing her parents to let her visit this place, she was being kidnapped and for what, she well knew. She had only heard too many cases of foreigner women being abducted. Oh God, dont let this happen, let this only be a bad dream, she prayed fervently. She was being picked up and taken along the abandoned grounds behind the posh buildings of the locality. Oh you stupid stupid Ashley, why did you have to come to India of all the places! You have heard of all the god-awful things about this forsaken place, why did you have to come here after all![/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif][FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]Bahadur had taken a round of the building after his dinner and turned around to meet his friend, Ramu the gardener. They were walking along the grass towards the water-pump which Bahadur was to turn off every night at 10. Happily exchanging their words, they heard crackling of dry leaves behind the large walls of the building. They exchanged a glance and heard closely for more sound. [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif][FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]Ashley prayed that someone might see her and get help, She had desperately wanted to see the world, starting young would mean seeing more was what she thought. Oh God but not at this price.[/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif][FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]There was a quick noise again and Bahadur and Ramu climbed the walls to see if that was some snake crawling towards the building. They stood shocked at the site of the foreigner woman being abducted.[/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif][FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]Bahadur was about to jump, when Ramu held him and asked him not to be foolish, They were 3 men and only one of you, you would never stand a chance, he begged. Besides it was happening in the abandoned land, it was not his territory. Bahadur flashed him an angry look and said “You were happy to come along fight when you though it was a snake, these are only men, but vile enough to be the snakes of our society. Men like these bring bad name to our society, to our country. So, this is MY territory, OUR territory. Come along and fight with me, I have to get them now or they will flee with the girl” saying so he jumped off. [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]Ramu stood still, ducking behind the wall, looking at his friend fight and then being beaten back. The woman was still being taken off by the other two who weren't fighting Bahadur. He had to think fast, he ran back to his empty house and took his son's whistle and blew at it once, twice and then continuously. Police, Police he cried loudly and ran towards the wall. He dint know if the trick would work but her prayed that someone would hear him and get better help and jumped across the wall, to tackle the men carrying the woman away. He got hit and then he hit back and then suddenly more whistles were heard and the men ran off, leaving the woman behind. Ramu knew they have won and looked at his friend happily smiling off at their achievement, both of them disheveled. [/FONT]


[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif][FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]They looked behind to see what brought the final outburst. Ramu saw his two young sons standing on the walls now, blowing off their whistles. Ramu couldn't control the tears.[/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif][FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]Ashley was stumped with the climax, she couldn't believe her stars. God had finally helped her against those vile men! Or no, it wasn't God after all, they were yet another men and two kids!! They came for me, to help me, she thought. Is that what they meant when the brouchers of India tourism meant hospitality? Why no – the other men where not so, they were hostile. But she wouldn't feel thankful enough to these men and kids how were now inquiring if she was hurt and in pain, if she was drugged. She was slowly being helped to her feet.[/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif][FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]Ramu gave a slight nod to Bahadur, a silent sorry for coming to his senses late and Bahadur smiled back with a thank you nod. [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif][FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]Ashley was being helped across the wall into the building and couldn't help but laugh at all the fuss two men and two kids could make over it. She knew, these people have marked a way to her heart and she would never be able to forget them in this lifetime.[/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif][FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]Ramu smiled, please at his sons. They were oh-so-enthusiastic to help the poor madam. I did the right thing, he thought. Even my sons agree, enough to come for help. He only hoped that this episode brings out more courage in his sons (and himself, he added silently) to fight against the wrong, even if the cause is not a selfish one.[/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif][FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]Ashley was due to leave India in another week, but she already started planning her next holiday in India. Perhaps she would bring along more friends to see the wonderful nation if not only to show off her four new courageous friends.[/FONT][/FONT]

 

Yes, that's true.!
Thank you for pouring your thoughts.

 

Thats also, true. Many people around here itself face the consequences and abuse.