It was 9.09am and I was pretty late,waiting in a crowded metro station as the scheduled train was getting delayed. As the train pulled in 10 minutes late,the frenzied crowd jumped on its helpless prey. I was a part of the wave.And gradually reached a iron shore and hit myself. Ouch! never mind am at least inside the bloody train!shh no swearing!behave-i told myself. As the uncountable bags kept nudging my posterior and "unassuming" hands tried to jostle me from my position, I kept fighting!
"Watch your steps!" an old man shouted at me. "Oops sorry Uncle" I mumbled, trying to adjust my foot in the ocean of feet. Suddenly a short, pale looking man decided to be very accommodating. He patted me on the shoulder and as I turned to face him- immediately he flashed a smile. With betel-nut stained teeth and a huge pot belly , he said, "Eidik taye chole ashun na...shubidhe hobe dnarate" (Come and stand here, it will be easier for you). I showed up my best behaviour and said "Na thikachhe dada" (No thank you, I'm fine). Then he pushed the crowd and stood beside me. One arm almost around my shoulder, holding one of the many randomly placed posts. "Arey apnara holen mohila, apnader ektu protect na korle choley? ami bujhi ki shomoshya hoy roj roj.."(You are a woman, and you need to be protected, I understand you need some help in this every day ordeal...) He whispered. My antennas signaled red alert. I pushed his hand quite roughly and faced him "Thik ki problem apnar?" (What exactly is your problem , Man?). "Ei dekhun bhalo korte chaichhi ar apni rege jachchhen?"(I am just trying to help you, Don't flare up!) said the man and touched my shoulder gently. Well, that was it. I did something I never did in my life. I slapped him straight across his face and gave him quite a strong push, which was quite a wake-up call for all the other don't-bother-me crowd. Many "Ki hoyechhe didi?"(Whats wrong madam?) chorus started pouring in. But I really did not require any support from them.
The man was trying to recover from his plight as I looked straight at him. Then I spoke " Er por kono mohila ke shahajyo korar aage chor ta mone kore neben. Jake take obola bhabar bod obhyesh ta chharun dada. Koto ar shomaj sheba kore bhul dharona shodhrabo?" (Next time when you attempt to "help" a woman am sure you will recall this slap! I am sure I have helped you in curing your helpfulness.). It was time for me to get down. As I got down there was an eerie silence in the compartment. An aged man in dhoti panjabi got down behind me. As I briskly walked towards the escalator, He called out "Shono!" ( Listen!). I turned my head, ready to dodge any further attack. "Well done! Iron lady, Well done!" he said with a bright smile, and took the staircase instead of the escalator. I beamed with a smile. Something fulfilled me. Its not men. Its the germ of patriarchy that pollutes the society. All the anger subsided with that smile. That gentleman's compliment was like a grandfather's blessing.
I wish we had more men like him. Then there would not have been any requirement to plead or bleed for "equality"
P.S. Was really late for office, so ran my way, but a tad bit triumphantly.
"Watch your steps!" an old man shouted at me. "Oops sorry Uncle" I mumbled, trying to adjust my foot in the ocean of feet. Suddenly a short, pale looking man decided to be very accommodating. He patted me on the shoulder and as I turned to face him- immediately he flashed a smile. With betel-nut stained teeth and a huge pot belly , he said, "Eidik taye chole ashun na...shubidhe hobe dnarate" (Come and stand here, it will be easier for you). I showed up my best behaviour and said "Na thikachhe dada" (No thank you, I'm fine). Then he pushed the crowd and stood beside me. One arm almost around my shoulder, holding one of the many randomly placed posts. "Arey apnara holen mohila, apnader ektu protect na korle choley? ami bujhi ki shomoshya hoy roj roj.."(You are a woman, and you need to be protected, I understand you need some help in this every day ordeal...) He whispered. My antennas signaled red alert. I pushed his hand quite roughly and faced him "Thik ki problem apnar?" (What exactly is your problem , Man?). "Ei dekhun bhalo korte chaichhi ar apni rege jachchhen?"(I am just trying to help you, Don't flare up!) said the man and touched my shoulder gently. Well, that was it. I did something I never did in my life. I slapped him straight across his face and gave him quite a strong push, which was quite a wake-up call for all the other don't-bother-me crowd. Many "Ki hoyechhe didi?"(Whats wrong madam?) chorus started pouring in. But I really did not require any support from them.
The man was trying to recover from his plight as I looked straight at him. Then I spoke " Er por kono mohila ke shahajyo korar aage chor ta mone kore neben. Jake take obola bhabar bod obhyesh ta chharun dada. Koto ar shomaj sheba kore bhul dharona shodhrabo?" (Next time when you attempt to "help" a woman am sure you will recall this slap! I am sure I have helped you in curing your helpfulness.). It was time for me to get down. As I got down there was an eerie silence in the compartment. An aged man in dhoti panjabi got down behind me. As I briskly walked towards the escalator, He called out "Shono!" ( Listen!). I turned my head, ready to dodge any further attack. "Well done! Iron lady, Well done!" he said with a bright smile, and took the staircase instead of the escalator. I beamed with a smile. Something fulfilled me. Its not men. Its the germ of patriarchy that pollutes the society. All the anger subsided with that smile. That gentleman's compliment was like a grandfather's blessing.
I wish we had more men like him. Then there would not have been any requirement to plead or bleed for "equality"
P.S. Was really late for office, so ran my way, but a tad bit triumphantly.
