Devika said, "I don't have any relations in this world," and began opening up.
"I got married two years back. It was an intercaste love marriage. He was an orphan. My parents never accepted him. I had to run away from my home. We got married in a temple and started our new life with many hopes. For the next two years, we lived happily with whatever little money we were earning. But then fate had other plans; it mercilessly cursed the future which we longed to be ours," she took a pause.
"That is so unfortunate. What happened?" she asked.
"My husband had a road accident a few months ago. The doctors asked me to make arrangements for the money for his operation. I had no option but to seek my parents' help. I killed my self-respect and went to visit them. My father refused to speak to me, saying I was dead for him long back. I begged him, but of no use. He would not budge, nor would he let my mom help me. My life was sinking in the turbulent waters, and they refused to lend me a life raft. They could have saved him with ease. But they valued their ego more than my husband's life."
Devika paused for a second, not sure to refer to her husband as ex-husband. She still loved him. She would love him forever.
"My heart was struck by grief, and I lost my only support system. I was filled with utter helplessness and despair. I could not believe that the person I had dreamed of spending the rest of my life with would never come back", she spoke, as the tears were choking her voice.
"I spent most of our savings on his hospital expenses. I knew that the leftover savings also would evaporate soon. A few weeks after he passed away, I got this job opportunity. It was his dream for me to stand by myself and have a job. He made me study and appear for the entrance examination. Else, I would have given up on my life the day he was gone. I feel I am a weak person mentally."
The lady let out a big sigh and spoke, "Listen, Devika. Firstly, If you were a weak-hearted woman, you would have gone back to your parents long back. But you chose to stay with your decision and took up this job. Take pride in that. Trust me; you are stronger than you ever thought you would be.
Secondly, you need to end that nostalgic trip of yours. There is great suffering and pain associated with losing a person you loved more than yourself. That grief will never wholly subside, no matter how much effort you put in and how much time passes by. But, those memories should not stop you from moving forward in life. You loved your husband, and he is gone now. There is nothing you can do about it, right? But, as you mentioned, he wanted you to be an independent and strong woman. Think about it; he is watching you from the heavens."
Devika nodded, accepting her words, "Yeah. I guess I have moved from denial to acceptance zone that he is gone forever. But I am tired. How can I fight with this world day in and day out? There is no other decent job I can get in. And I am not sure if I fit in this job!"
"Why do you think you are unfit for this job?" asked the lady.
"I get groped on every trip. How much ever I try to shrink and walk, I still feel those touches. Some evil men touch my breast or butt or whatever body part they can grab. And, I can't be sure of the person who does that on the crowded bus. I feel very hesitant to move around the back half of the bus filled with men, and the bus driver keeps yelling at me for the delay in punching tickets. Not just at work, I get teased by rogues in my locality. A single and helpless woman is just a piece of meat for a filthy-minded man," Devika answered in a gloomy voice.
"Did you try seeking any support from someone? Friends or colleagues?" the lady asked.
"I tried discussing it with my bus driver a couple of times. 'This is the problem with having women on the job. Don't make a scene here. If you can't safeguard yourself in the crowded bus, resign and sit at home.’ These were his words. I feel helpless. It is as if I have been at sea for so long that I have forgotten the feeling of home," Devika said.
"Devika, every lowest point in life presents us with two choices; to be a butterfly or a phoenix. The former retreats to its cocoon while the latter takes a new life arising from the ashes. You always have a choice to make," spoke the lady, trying to lift Devika's spirits.
"I did not understand," said Devika.
"The next time you sense a bad touch, raise your voice. Be it the bus, or a street or any place in the world."
"I did try, but the voice just does not come out. Instead, the tears spill out."
"Why do we cry?" the lady asked and paused. Devika did not say anything.
"We cry when we feel abandoned," she continued, "you are alone in this world. Be it your life journey or your bus journey, you are all you have. Life is a series of struggles, with existence being the biggest of them. Make your courage your only aid in life. If you are not wary, you become a target. Do not expect life to be a gift, wrapped in colourful papers with an assurance of comfort."
"And I am telling you this particular thing out of personal experience; this society will not let a single woman live in peace if you start dancing to their tunes. Never expose your vulnerabilities in front of this world. The world is always waiting with a popcorn tub in their lap to watch the drama. At times, life pushes us to a corner where being strong is the only choice we are left with!" the lady spoke with wisdom.
You have traveled through life, not on calm seas but wild storms. great things are coming your way; not a single tear cried, not a tiny heartbreak endured, none would go in vain. just stay there!
Devika wondered for a while and realized she missed out on something.
"I am so sorry I did not ask your name. What do you do? Where does your family live? I was just not in a mood to talk to anyone when we met. After that, it just slipped off my mind," Devika said apologetically.
The lady laughed and said, "That's fine. It should not matter much now, I guess. You are not going to see me after tonight. Remember me as your sister. I sincerely hope that you would not need the help of a stranger like me in the future. But, if at all a day comes in your life where you have to extend your support to another woman, I believe you will make an earnest attempt. When a woman helps uplift another woman in distress, this world will become a much safer place for us to live. Let's strive for that cause with utmost sincerity."
Devika looked confused but said, "Okay. I will keep your words in mind."
After conversing for a few minutes, Devika said, "It is getting late. I will leave now. I have an early shift tomorrow. In a world where it is rare to lend ears, you lent your heart to listen to my tale. Thank you so much for the support. I will never forget this evening."
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