Skip to main content

And They Say, “It’s Not Eve teasing.”

It was evening, and mom had asked me to get some medicines from the Store. The market is just two streets away from my house. I took the money and was walking with a normal pace. My clothes were just plain and simple. Attire which most girls my age have- three-fourths, and a simple half sleeved tee shirt. But I guess I shouldn’t have let me hair fall loose on my shoulders. That’s where I made a mistake. My fringe fell on my forehead, and the rest of my hair, being very light, moved in the direction of the wind. I was walking on a road which had good traffic, quite a good number of “adults” and bright evening light. As I reached the medical store, I showed the shop keeper the prescription. He was busy getting me the pills. I was standing idle, observing various posters in the store. I was lost, another mistake! I was busy reading the posters when something touched my legs. Coming back to my senses, I realized it was a boy’s bag. I moved aside and asked the shop keeper to make it fast. He looked at me, then at the boy, and continued delaying the work. I started looking away, even moved aside. The boy followed my movement, tried to brush against me. When it was enough, I frowned and screamed at the shopkeeper, “Look, if you’re giving me the medicines right now, then fine. Or else, forget about it.” 

He hurried towards the counter, made the bill and kept his eyes down. My frown was still there. He, then, asked that boy what he wanted. The guy, being the ultimate asshole, replied, “Some flavoured condoms please!” I was disgusted. I threw the money over the counter, didn’t even bother for the change and walked off. The guy then shouted, “I was joking!” and I heard a loud cheap laugh. From that day onwards, I made it a point to wear full pants, tie my hair tightly and if possible, look my worst, when I go to that market.
Even today, my eyes are always looking at my feet as I walk through that market, even though there’s always a Police jeep parked there, and even though the market is in a residential area!


Comments

tamanna said…
They say its not eve teasing, because they are dirty hypocrites,
they are the most insensitive creatures around, they are someone who cannot even come close to
imagining, leave alone feeling how this behaviour of theirs affects us. When they say its not eve teasing, they are making themselves believe there is nothing wrong about what they are doing, and since there is such an unimaginably vast clan of theirs, they are quite successful at it.
Whos the bigger fool? Them.
Whos the losing party? Us.
Just wanna say that i really appreciate the way you wrote abt it, but don't feel guilty like that.
Right, our mommies always tell us to ignore sumthing like this, thats the best way, and also the easiest perhaps.
But don't look your worst dear when you pass through that market. It'll do nothing than inflating that male ego.
True, the scars such incidents leave hurt, but covering them up only makes them deeper...
Sum1 said…
Hmm.. i been thru a situation similar to this..

i totally understnd how u feel..

i was under mental trauma myself!!..
but then tht wont help..

if we think abt it more.. the more we make them rejoice off thr work.. so we shud the stop thinkin abt such cheapsters n try to concentrate on better things...

These things r definitely not easy to forget but we cn giv it a try!!!...

thts wen it wud b our VICTORY over these losers!!

x0x0x!!
Anonymous said…
Hmm..
There are so many times when such things happen.
Men are bastards,this is what they guys love to do.
You cannot do this to urslf..
You dont have to look your worst..

Even i use to feel the same,bt thr was a aunt f mine who told me once that these loosers stare at us coz we have got something in us coz if v didn't then they wouldn't hv done so..
See all pretty things attrct us,same wd thm.
You're pretty flaunt it. But be sure,your looks are a part f u let the world see you bt dont lt it touch it..

Don't let these assholes win over your confidence and self esteem!!
Anonymous said…
it's not a single time. i mean everybody suffer such kinda situation one or the other day. but the point is if you'll let them win over your confidence , that will ruin you.
this situation may come in your life again and gain but the only things is you should learn how to tackle such situations. next time better don't run from the situation and try to tackle it!
Shruti said…
@ All
thanks for your feedback. the thing is that this incident happened last year. true.. these people are losers. i do not pay heed to them anymore. i don't look my worst whenever i go to that market. but yeah.. while writing it down again i penned down whatever i had felt that day. that's it!

(:

i have learnt to tackle them (:

Also read

Cutting people off isn’t strength—It is a trauma response

Your ability to cut people off and self-isolate is not a skill you should be proud of—It is a trauma response Cutting people off and self-isolating may feel like a protective shield, but it is often rooted in unresolved or unhealed trauma and an inability to depend on others. While these behaviors seem like self-preservation, they end up reinforcing isolation and blocking meaningful connections. Confronting these patterns, seeking therapy, and nurturing supportive relationships can help break this unhealthy cycle. Plus, a simple act like planting a jasmine plant can symbolise the start of your journey towards emotional healing. Why do we cut people off and isolate? If you’re someone who prides themselves on “cutting people off” or keeping a tight circle, you might believe it’s a skill—a way to protect yourself from betrayal, hurt, or unnecessary drama. I get it. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: this ability to isolate yourself is not as empowering as it may seem. In fact, i...

Vastu & karma: Can spaces carry energetic debt?

Ever walked into a room and felt an inexplicable heaviness? According to vastu shastra, our living spaces can absorb and reflect our karmic energies. This article explores the connection between vastu and karma, signs of negative energy in your home, and practical steps to cleanse and harmonize your space. What is vastu shastra and how does it relate to karma? Vastu Shastra, often referred to as the "science of architecture," is an ancient Indian system that outlines principles for designing and organizing spaces to promote harmony and prosperity. Rooted in the belief that the physical environment significantly influences our lives, Vastu emphasizes the balance of the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space—to create a conducive living atmosphere. Karma, on the other hand, is a fundamental concept in Indian philosophy that denotes the law of cause and effect. It suggests that our actions, intentions, and thoughts have consequences that shape our present and f...

Does India need communal parties?

I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised. My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India. Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire. The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year. Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times, got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find a lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we? Who complains? No one. But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse than a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was cr...