Rimjhim....

It was a hot summer afternoon. Rimjhim was sitting by the window. She looked out, but there were not many people in sight. Just a few ladies clothed in bare minimums. That was how it was even when she’d first stepped in.

Her thoughts went back to how life had been 2 years ago. Rimjhim was 7 when her mother passed away of cancer. With that, the only means of income had come to a standstill. Rimjhim’s mother would do odd jobs at various households and save each penny for Rimjhim’s education, while her father never contributed any money. He worked at a construction site and whatever he earned was spent in alcohol and paan. Her father was a good for nothing and just like all male chauvinists he would mercilessly beat her mother and her. Now that her mother was no more, Rimjhim was forced to leave her school and bore the atrocities of her father. Every night he’d whip her with his belt and bring in men to the house who would stare and ogle at her. The poor child never understood anything. How could she? She was just 7.

One night while she was asleep on the floor, she felt a hand sliding through her legs. Her dress was just above her thighs when she woke up with a start. She saw the hands. Those firm hands were her fathers. She couldn’t comprehend much, but he soon caressed her and felt her up, which made her very uncomfortable. She knew something was wrong and she let go. When her cries did not stop him, she caught hold of the vase and hit it on his head. And then she ran. Ran for her dear life.

It was the same night she met these women. They looked kind. Rimjhim told them her story which they listened to patiently. Then one of the ladies, picked her up, planted a kiss on her forehead and asked her to accompany them. They promised to take care of her and protect her from such evil. Rimjhim immediately warmed up to them, since the last time someone spoke to her thus was her mother.

When she reached the destination, she saw many ladies. Young and old. Dressed in shiny shimmery sari’s, low cut blouses, dark shades of lipstick and gajra on their head. She asked the lady if they were going for a wedding, to which the lady laughed and said- “No child, for us every day is a celebration. Soon you will be part of it too. “

She wasn’t suspicious. They’d provided her with food and shelter and warm clothes to wear. But one night, she saw it. At first, she wasn’t sure, but then things became crystal clear. This was no ordinary place, it was a brothel. Men swarmed in like bees and handed over money to the lady who had brought her here. These men would take in ladies to a room and all she could hear were frightening noises, but no one seemed to bother. I succumbed to fear.

Today while I was looking out the window, I saw a man. He was no ordinary guy. He wore a crisp white shirt and pants and had a gold chain around his neck. He’d been examining the girls and somehow didn’t seem very satisfied. And then he saw me, and I saw that evil glint in his eyes. Today I was dressed just like them.

Although it was a hot summer noon, I couldn't help but shiver. I realized I hadn’t been rescued, but trapped. I had no place to go and I couldn’t run.

This was my home now. This was my family. My life had been changed. Would I be saved? Would I be set free? I don’t know. Only time will tell. Till then I can only hope..

I hope my story has a better ending.