Dafaq. The first thought that crossed my mind when I walked towards the exit gate of the Metro station. The winds and rain came down on us like they were at war. I could hear the loud 'thud thud' echoing from the cars parked outside the station. Crowd started gathering around the exit, no one dared to walk outside in the rain. No umbrella, raincoat or a sudden sprint towards safer shades could save anyone from being drenched to the skin. I like the rain, I do. But this feeling is relative. In any other city of this country, I wouldn't mind walking, strolling and smiling in the rain. Rains do bring back beautiful childhood memories.
But at night when it is raining. In Delhi. Walking on the streets alone. That, is a different feeling altogether. That, is neither a happy feeling nor does it induce nostalgia. All you're thinking is - a. I hope I'm not transparent. b. I hope I get an auto. c. I hope the driver is not a creep. I stepped out of the station seeing that the rain would go on for at least an hour. Within five minutes, my umbrella was ruffled by the wind. It became a flower. I had to throw it away and walk towards the auto stand.
Not a single one in sight. Through the haze I could see a few bystanders pacing up and down the street to catch or jump into a running auto. Not a bus, not even a tempo was in sight. The stretch of road was eerily deserted with just rain and the night for company. I shivered as the winds blew without a care, a sense of foreboding took over me. Tonight, if I reach home unscathed, it’ll be a miracle.
Just then an auto came and stopped next to me. I jumped in and the man drove without a word. I kept looking around the place, hoping to see signs of people to feel psychologically safe. Through the mist and the faint street lights,I did see someone. I saw a silhouette of a man hailing down my auto. I was immediately irritated and asked the driver to go faster. For one, who can guarantee the intentions of the auto driver. And then another passenger. NO, this auto is MINE. How many men can a single, drenched girl handle. As we crossed the man, I saw his face. It was reproachful.…I cursed under my breath and asked the driver to stop. Great, I have just increased my chances of getting raped tonight. But his face, something about his face made me take the chance.
The man hopped on. He sat on the corner of the seat. He didn't look at me. He seemed shy but I had my guards on. Along the street we rode together, the three of us silenced by the rain screaming in our ears. There were no streetlights, the driver had to stick his head out to see where he was going. Suddenly, as luck would (not) have it, the auto broke down. There I was, stuck in the middle of I-could't-figure-out-where, with two potential rapists for company. Even though, up till now, they were decent with me. I prayed to at least 56 Gods within those 15 minutes. I was mute while the two men were busy figuring out what went wrong with the auto. Cars and trucks were zipping past us. Not one stopped. The guy never once looked at me and spoke to the street while directing his assurance to me, "Koi baat nahi, shuru ho jayega (Don't worry, it'll start)."
Finally, after what seemed like an hour, I could hear the promising purring of the auto engine. Saved. We rode ahead, all three of us wet and cold. The guy spoke to me while again looking at the street, "Appko kahan utarna hai (Where do u need to get off)?" I answered without looking, playing it cool and confident, "Sector 56." He said, "Uhh mujhe toh sector 22 mein utarna hai. Mujhe chaurahe pe utar dena (Uhh. I need to get off at 22. Just drop me off at the intersection.)" My mind immediately thought, yeah that sounds cool. Who wants to go all the way to drop him home. I chanced a look towards him. He still had a reproachful face. Screw you, I thought. I can't handle the guilt. Hating myself I said, "Bahut baarish ho rahi hai, aapko ghar he chord denge (It's raining a lot, I think we will drop you home)." Perfect. Sector 22, shadiest sector in Noida. A plan to drop him to the door step, laying the bait for my own rape. I swore loudly in my mind. But his face, something about his face made me take the chance.
We rode into his sector, drove inside the narrow lanes. It was almost pitch dark, the auto headlight was the only light providing us hazy visibility. In the middle of no where, the guy asked the auto driver to stop. I gulped. It was a lone bungalow, the only one on the street. If he makes a move, I'm going to rip his face apart. Such violent thoughts make me confident.
The guy got off and paid the driver full 100 rs. He told the driver not to charge me. I looked at him suspiciously. He looked straight into my eyes for the first time and said, " Bahut dhanyawad auto rokne ke liye. Aaj meri wife aur baccha pehli baar ghar aa rahe hain hospital se. Aaj late hona nahi banta! (Thank you so much for stopping the auto and giving me a ride home. My wife and baby are coming home tonight for the first time from the hospital. I couldn’t afford to be late today)." I was completely taken aback. I smiled. All I could say was a weak, "yeahh....."
From the gate he called out to the driver, shouting directions for the best way out of the sector. I think he might have waved too.
The ride home from there was a really pleasant one.
