Punishing Vs Scarring

8 year old Buvana walked in the neighborhood, carrying Suria's Maths notebook. Though its just 7PM, it was dark already. Her young, cheerful mind didn't know how or why one should be afraid of anything. She walked briskly, reached Suria's home, returned her notebook and heading back to her home.

Just when she crossed the deserted narrow pathway, somebody grabbed her arms with heavy force. Not being prepared for any such event, her legs gave away and she fumbled. Whoever grabbed her arms, kissed on her lips and in no time got disappeared in the dark. It took few minutes before Buvana realised what just happened and turned to the direction where the kisser went. She couldn't see anybody clearly, but just noted a leg when the kisser rushed through another narrow pathway. Few inches of the leg, covered with pant was all she saw.

Buvana just stood there, not understanding why this should have happened to her. The embarrasment grabbed all over her. The fact that she couldn't do anything about that stimulated her anger. Both the feelings started peeling her heart and tears started flowing. She ran like wind till she reached her home.

Buvana walked past her dad Kathirvel sitting outside feeling the cool night air, and went straight to kitchen. As soon as she saw her mom Kala in the kitchen, she rushed towards her and hugged her legs tightly and started weeping in loud noise.

Kala was thrown completely by this act and started consoling her daughter. Buvana felt that she reached the safe place and explained everything happened, sobbering in between words. Kala enquired the location of the incident, and as if she found the mysterious person, she shouted towards outside to call her husband.

Kathirvel came in, seemed bit irritated because of being disturbed from enjoying the cool air. But after seeing tears on her daughter's face, his heart flipped. Before he started his enquiry, Buvana told the incident in short and also mentioned the name of the person, whom she doubted might be the culprit.

Kathirvel's face turned red, his eyes enlarged. He knows very well about the guy who Kala just told and also his father. Buvana bit terrified on seeing her father's angriness growing. Kala was in the same position as she faced all the scoldings from her husband. First for letting Buvana to go out in dark alone, next for letting her wear skirts and midi. But her husband's anger was the least thing she has to worry after she heard her mother in law, Rajammal entering the home. She don't know how to handle the situation.

Kathirvel then put on his shirt, held Buvana's hands and started walking out. His plan was to go to the Guy's house and shout at them.

Rajammal who just entered the scene, realised something bad was going on, on seeing all their faces and tears on Buvana's face. Buvana looked more horrified than sad. Rajammal enquired and got to know the whole situation from Kathirvel.

Kathirvel and Kala were surprised to see Rajammal's reaction, which was nothing they expected. She gave a relieved smile and told Buvana,

"Hey you little girl, are you horrified? Its your Durga Akka (sister). Didn't you realise? "

Buvana was confused to reply anything.

Rajammal continued, "Hey silly, don't you remembered you play that little game scaring each other? "

Buvana nodded, but clearly was not convinced.

Now Rajammal turned to Kathirvel and said "I am just coming from there. She told about how she scared Buvana and was laughing"

Though that calmed Kathirvel, he couldn't lose his anger completely. Telling "Its a risky game. I am telling you, this Durga is not matured for her age", he removed his shirt, sat on the sofa and heaved a long sigh.

Buvana still knew that whoever kissed her was wearing pants. She also realised that she didn't tell that to her parents yet. She wasn't sure whether to tell that to her grand mother or not. But overall, she was glad that its over.

Rajammal smiled and pulled Buvana towards her gently. "Hey you know, you are a stupid girl to cry for this little stuff. I almost forgot. Your grand father bought you the Story book you asked. "

Buvana's face beamed and asked "Really? The big book we saw in that corner store yesterday? "

Rajammal replied "Yes sweet heart.. "

Buvana now got all excited and started pouring the questions. "Where is Grandpa? Will he tell the story today? Is the book very big? Does it have picture of Hippopotamus?... ... "

Rajammal laughed now and said "Your grandpa is in the terrace. Go and shoot him with your questions". Before even she finished her sentence Buvana let herself go off her Grandma's arms and ran towards the steps to terrace.

Kathirvel again showed his concern on Durga. "Ma, You should speak with her mom. She always plays ... ".

Rajammal snapped at him and spoke in an angry but steady voice. "Its nothing to do with Durga. I don't know who did this. I am not angry on that guy anymore. But on you both!"

Kathirvel looked shocked and didn't try to speak anything.

"Whatever that stupid guy did was horrible. Still we can make Buvana forget those. A couple of toys and games will do. But dont you understand what you are doing ? You are emotionally scarring that little girl by running the incident over and over again. If I would have delayed couple of minutes, you were about to embarrass that little girl in front of others too. Didn't you?"

Kala felt ashamed of herself of calling her husband in the first place. She felt that she should've consoled Buvana as soon as she told the incident and make her understand that nothing happened.

Rajammal's anger didn't cool yet, she continued. "Was that all you did Kathir? You kept accusing of her dressing, which will ultimately make the poor girl think that all that happened was her fault. This incident will haunt her forever and the guilt of thinking it was all because of her fault. Didn't you understand that whoever it was, would have kissed, regardless of dress or age. "

Kathirvel demanded "So you think we have to leave him unpunished?"

Rajammal replied, "No, I am just telling don't crush your daughter's happiness and confidence. Do your enquiry without her knowledge. Double your safety measures if you want... "

The discussion stopped suddenly when Buvana entered the house with her grand father. The little girl forgot the evening's incident. Rajammal got the rice mixed with Sambar and walked behind Buvana to feed her when her grandfather continued the story from the book.

 

Dear Kalyani,

Thats true. The love, affection and responsibility we have on oneself, will just make us to lose temper if someone hurt our loved ones. And yes when responisibility increases, the maturity and ability of thinking clearly should increase too.

Thanks for your comments dear.

 

Dear fathan,

Thanks for your appreciation. Yes its not just somebody else hurts our children, our reactions to that might scar them... I am glad you liked it..

 

Dear Pathak,

Thanks for your comments..Yes everybody who has to take care of the children have to know this.

 

Dear Ice,

Thanks a lot for your comments... I am glad you liked it.. and happy to get your appreciation...