Worth Fighting For✔️

28. Epilogue

The auditorium was filled  with students. Everyone was eager to meet this person who had been invited by their college to address them. They were told that it was an expert in Political Science. They all wanted to meet the person who had mastered this subject in his young age only.

A young girl, wearing a blue jeans and white t-shirt, climbed the stage. She was welcomed by the college administration. She took the mike and spoke.

"Hello friends, how are you? How many of you expected a young man to come and address you." Everyone looked around embarrassed. She laughed.

"Not your fault. Girls are expected to gossip. But don't you worry, I am a girl and not a man in disguise."

Everyone laughed. 

"I am Shefali Ashutosh Chauhan. I have done my Masters in Political Science and I am doing my Doctorate. I am working with a renowned Political Scientist and I plan to pursue the same career in future."

Everyone looked in awe. It's not often you hear a young Indian girl choosing Political Scientist as a career. 

"But don't worry, I will not bore you with my lectures on Politics. I am here to talk about life. But for that you will have to answer my questions truthfully. So, how many of you think that you are tired of your life and it's struggles and you want to quit?"

At first, a few hands shot up. Later, some more. Shefali smiled. 

"Keep your hands up for a minute. All those who are raising hand, what is your reason? Love failure? Study pressure? If so, please put your hands down."

Only one hand was up. 

"What is your reason?"

The girl came forward and said, "My parents want to marry me off after this course. I don't want to marry this boy. He is three years elder to me. I don't want an arranged marriage. They are not successful."

Shefali laughed and gestured the girl to go back to her place.

"I will tell you the story of my life. And I am sure I will be able to change your opinion."

Everyone nodded.

"My late mother had given birth to twins. A girl and a boy. But unfortunately, the boy died. He was too weak. The girl survived. And she was punished for that. For every single mistake, the punishment was huge. From stick to belt, everything was used. She was not allowed to make friends. She was not allowed to watch television or movies. She should speak only when necessary. Surprisingly, she was sent to school. Of course, I am that girl."

She took a long breath to calm herself.

"When I was six, my dearest uncle decided to have some fun. Note the sarcasm, please.  My dearest uncle. He decided to molest his niece as he could not control his inner beast any longer. I was too small to know what was happening. I was too small to protest. This continued. I told no one. But at the age of thirteen, I realised that this is wrong. I told my mother. She slapped me. I started getting nightmares. But I was told not to destroy anyone's sleep. I was groomed to be a perfect wife material. Except that I was not a virgin."

She gave a sarcastic laugh. 

"At the age of eighteen, I filed a FIR against my uncle. Guess what happened? I was forced to take my complain back. By? By my parents. Turns out that they were aware about what was happening with me. I was whipped. And then married within two weeks to a complete stranger, who was five years elder to me. I hated everyone. That man who was ready to marry me. His family. My so-called family. On our wedding night, when I was expected to give myself to my husband, he separated our beds. 'I know you won't  be comfortable sharing the bed.' These were his words. We shifted to Bangalore, leaving his and mine parents in Jaipur. He made rules for me - call him by his name, never eat after he has eaten, scold him if he is wrong, etc. On our first night in Bangalore, I again got a nightmare. Guess what happened? My husband woke me up, gave me water and put me back to sleep. And then he rang up his mother, who sent his younger sister to Bangalore."