Firdaus — Part 2

Kashish Sodhi
Aug 25, 2017 · 8 min read

“Why?”

This one word is right now bothering you and it distressed me too.

The next morning I woke up, bathed, ate breakfast, took a cab to the metro station. While I was waiting for the next metro to come, I messaged her(Firdaus).

‘Good Morning!’

I also messaged her last night asking her about being back home safe. No reply. I got off the first metro and ran towards the 3rd platform, to catch the second one. While standing in between a whole lot of people, I unfurled her mail once again. My curiosity was even higher now. I thought of relating things from the mail with what happened at Starbucks.


Clueless!

“What actually was she thinking the whole time? 1 hour is a long time. And now she is not replying. She wants to fulfill her parent’s dreams but she mentioned about molestation. She mentioned the fact of oppression and ferity. It’s all so confusing.”

I texted her again.

I reached my office, started off with the work, went for a site visit too. I returned, had my lunch around 3:00 pm and gazed my phone. No message from her. I thought of calling her but my manager called me. I finished off the work and left the office an hour early. As I was walking towards the metro station (1 km from my office), I checked my phone again. Dud. I immediately dialed her number.

Rings! (Unavailable to pick your call)

All the way back home I was just pondering why did she leave after asking for help. I was right in front of her. I was ready to hear her. Did I say anything wrong?

‘No, I suppose.’ — was my answer to myself.

The next day was again curious. No calls, no messages. I simply gave up on her. I was pretty disappointed. watched movies, listened to some songs over the radio and I was pretty off her.


Next morning I finally had a seat in the metro and was pretty happy to enjoy a 40 minute nap. [Normal routine followed.]

While returning back to home, I was checking my text messages and saw a message from Firdaus. Again the ‘adrenaline rush’. It felt like I was drawn back to something I left. I immediately replied her. She was a bit apologetic about not texting and walking off. She told me how much she loved the fact that I actually screamed in Starbucks and called her ‘FRIEND’ (try this at someone, I bet it will make someone a lot happier than a joke will).

She even texted back that this was making her cry and never had anyone called her friend with this great sentiment with which I did. In all sorts of peculiarity, we planned to meet that very moment. I got off right at Central Secretariat and took a metro back to Nehru Place (we decided to meet there). I was waiting for her at the Flying Saucer Cafe. I decided to be cool and not to mention about our previous meet.

Finally! I could see her.

I waved to her. Opened the door, made her sit and smiled at her. She started off with a cute voiced sorry but i nodded her and said ‘no need’.

She smiled and immediately started off.

“See Kashish! I talked to myself and I will now speak to you about everything happened till date(as you’d asked that day). I won’t cry for sure neither will I run today (laughed). Before that lets order something to drink, then I shall begin with how it all started.”

[We are served with our drinks and she begins. I was ready to be a listener today.]

Firdaus:

I live with my uncle, aunt and their daughter. When I was just new to the family (like the starting 6 months), I was given great importance. I was pampered too and was treated more sweetly than Fiza(my cousin). I remember my cousin and aunt went to some wedding and I and uncle were at home due to his illness and I was asked to stay with him to take proper care of him. They were out for about 4 days. I remember the 3rd day, he felt a lot better than before and I was having an off from the school. I made some tea for him and called him at the dining table for the tea. He sat and asked me for some Namkeen. I gave him the packet and a plate with spoon. He started talking to me about my school, my new friends and how much was I liking Delhi. We talked for a while and then I went to bath. He knocked the door and asked that how much time will I take. I assured him that I will be out in about 5 minutes. After I came out he was sitting on my bed and I was wondering that he never came to our room in the entire period then why is he here today? I asked him that uncle why was he here? He said that nothing child, I was just feeling a bit lonely from 2 days, your aunt is not here so a bit lonely. After a pause, he continued — come here sit beside me. Let’s talk, we were having a decent talk on the dining. I sat and he held my hand. I thought he was very lonely and missing his wife so I started to pamper him that not to worry uncle, she will be back by tomorrow night and then you will not feel lonely ever again. I shall also ask her not to leave you like this ever again. He patted me on my back and laughed.

“But what about today. I’m very sad today and feel lonely too. What have you cooked for us today? Have you or have you not? If not let’s order something from some restaurant.”

“I said no! I have made some dal fry and rice for you.”

He made up his mind to order some chicken biryani from a food joint nearby. After ordering he just lied down on my bed. I was pretty amused, he was still holding my hand. Suddenly, in between our chat I felt that he is waving his hand all over my hands and arm. I nodded and pulled off my hand.

“I am not liking it.” (I said)

“He said, don’t worry child it’s just I am massaging your hand a bit. You’ve done so much of work, you must be tired. give me your hand, i will massage it.”

I gave my hand and soon he pulled me towards himself by grabbing my other arm. “I was like uncle what are you doing? I am not at all liking this. I feel hurt.” He said sorry but was again waving his hand on both my arms and shoulders too. I was not sure of what to do so I pulled off my hand and went to the other room. After 5–10 minutes he knocked the door and asked me to open the door.

“I am not feeling well and if you want some rest then you can sleep on my bed just for some time.” He resisted me to open the door but I didn’t. I felt very weird and was not at all convinced with his behavior. The doorbell rung. I was pretty sure it was the delivery boy. I thought my uncle will pay him but the doorbell rung again. And then again. I thought that uncle might have slept and opened the door and took the food and closed the door. I kept the biryani in kitchen and while I was walking out of the kitchen, he jumped in front of me and he literally scared the hell out of me. He laughed very wickedly and said that finally you opened the door.

“I thought you slept so I opened the door, collected the order and put it in the kitchen.” He again laughed the same way and held my hand. This time it was held very tight. I tried to escape but couldn’t. I began to cry.

“Don’t cry child, I am just a bit lonely and we will have fun. You will love it.”

I was amused and helpless and didn’t know what to do. How to escape? (I didn’t know). He took me to his room and locked the room. I was pretty much scared and was crying like hell, and asked him to let me go.

“Why are you doing this? I didn’t do anything wrong to you. Why this? Just let me go Uncle.” He just threw me to his bed and I went the other side of the bed just to avoid him. All of a sudden he was chasing me all over the room and while I tried to open the door or window he held me and threw me back to his bed. I was crying and asked for help, I thought some neighbor might listen and break the door, but nothing happened. My uncle was just laughing.

[while laughing] “Don’t scream child, i am doing nothing wrong with you, why are you behaving like this? no one will come here, don’t scream, you’ll damage your voice child. come to me, don’t make me run here and there.”

I begged in front of him to let me go but he snatched me towards the bed and this time he held me more tight with his one hand he was holding both my hands. I felt completely numb. He just took a scissor and cut my clothes off. I was still fighting and doing everything I could but he was strong. Very strong. Within 5 minutes I was without clothes, in front of my uncle and all he said was ‘my beautiful daughter’.

I felt sick that he is calling me his daughter and doing all this to me. He did what he had to. He wore his clothes and walked off to the dining room to eat his favorite chicken biryani. I just lied in the same position he left me in, and was crying please uncle please! I couldn’t hear myself now. I woke up and went in the same condition to my room. [Shut the door and cried]

I looked at my parent’s photo and asked them — Did you see what he did to me? Why didn’t you come to me for help? I was dying asking for help. See what he has done to me. Just see. I held their photo close to my heart and cried a lot. I don’t remember how I slept, but I didn’t open the door till I heard my aunt’s and sister’s voice.

[A tear dropped from her beautiful eyes. I lend her my handkerchief].

Me: I feel disgusted Firdaus, and you said you are living with him, what happened to your parents? But why? Does he still do this to you?

Yes! I live with him and his family and YES HE DOES THIS ANYTIME HE FEELS. My parents died in a car accident on my 11th birthday.

Me: Goshh! I am so sorry.

[pause]

Why didn’t you leave the place? And didn’t you tell all this to your aunt or your cousin? Maybe they would have helped you.

How could I leave a place without having money to survive and that too in a city like Delhi?

Me: But..

[She continued her statement] You know I tried to tell them (both), in fact i did tell them. I will tell you what happened actually.

Me: Hmm..

Dude! After like 3–4 days, I held myself up, and went straight to my aunt. She was cooking and I was just talking shit to her (like all the unimportant stuff in life) She …

Phone Rings!

Sorry Firdaus, I guess I have to leave now, my sister is waiting for me and we have to go out for dinner. I don’t know what to say right now. please don’t mind and I’m really disturbed. Are you free tomorrow? Same time, same place?

YES!

)

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