Carte Blanche

Dear family, friends, boyfriend, girlfriend, Padosi, Dur Baithe Rishtedaar etc.

If you want to be scared for my life, then please be.

If you think there are more rapists than bad drivers on the road, then maybe you’re right.

If you think living alone has a greater chance of me being harassed, then maybe you’re right.

If you think my partying in a bar is signaling guys for sex, then maybe you’re right.

If you think wearing shorts shows too much of my legs which seem quite tempting, then maybe you’re right.

If you think I am safe in a girls’ hostel, then maybe you’re right.

If you think I am safe at home, then maybe you’re right.

If you think teaching me that boys only want sex will help me, then maybe you’re right.

Maybe you’re always right. Just that you are wrong.

It doesn’t matter if I am on the streets or home.

It doesn’t matter if I live alone or have roommates.

It doesn’t matter what clothes I choose to wear.

It doesn’t matter what kind of a party I participate in.

It doesn’t matter what the boys want.

You feel I am safer at home than on the road
because you think that evil exists only outside.

You feel I am safer wearing traditional attire
because you think people can’t see me in it.

You feel I am safer in a girls’ hostel
Because you either do not accept homosexuality or think women do not have lust.

You feel I am safer knowing men just want sex
Because that’s how you’re raised and will raise the generation after you.

If I were to be raped, I will be raped.
It can be a complete stranger or a man I always knew.
It can be my landlord or his wife.
It can be my roommate who by the way is a woman.
It can be a family member or even be you, not quite shockingly.

A rapist does not have a resume.
It can be anybody anywhere.
It can be somebody somewhere.
It can be you. It can be me.
Because let’s face it, all of us have a dark side.
And we do not know when and how it might be provoked.

Source: Pinterest

If you can’t help being scared, then be scared.
But do not put your concern in the guise of precaution.
This world never was a good place to live in.
This world will never be any better.
Good, in fact, is a relative term.

Let’s just admit it.

If not, then
Tell me why I am pessimist if I think
that you might be dead in the next road trip, train travel or flight.
But you thinking about my rape the moment I step outside, is tagged as concern.
Do not tell me that I concentrate on the negative aspect of life 

when it is the same thing that you’re doing.
Is your life less worthy than mine?

I give you the freedom to be scared for me.
I plead you to give me the freedom to not only survive but live my life.
Because, all of us are responsible enough for our actions.
For the good ones, and the bad.