The sun has just begun to set. In a dim light room, a young girl of 8 is sitting in a dark nook. Shivering from head to toe, her face writhe with fear and terror, and her legs held very close to her body. Suddenly a door opens bringing light in the room. A middle aged woman enters the room. Seeing the girl, she moves towards her.
Woman: “What happened, Puja? Why are you sitting over here all alone?? ..Ohh my God look at you....you are drenched with perspiration.” ( she bends over and touches her Puja’s hand ) ....Ohh my goodness...you have a temperature running....your body seems to as on fire....where had u been ???” Quick someone call a doctor...hurry “(she shouts aloud loud)
Puja: (Clings to that woman’s legs whilst sitting) “Mamma please don’t go ...mamma...i’m feeling vvvery scared mamma ...please don’t go mamma.”
W: “I’m right here sweetheart.....and am going nowhere. There is no reason to fear sweetheart. Hadn’t you been to Alok bhaiyya’s place? Did you get drenched on the way home? Didn’t Alok bhaiyya accompany you home? Had you had a temperature when he brought you home? “
(On this Puja remains silent. Fear and doubt reflected in her eyes, she looks up to her mother)
P: “Am i bad girl mamma? ‘
W: “Not at all sweetheart. Whoever told you that?”
P: “(sobbing) Alok bhaiyya told me, mamma. He said that i am a bad girl and that no one will play with me if i don’t listen to him.”
W: (in a surprised and angry tone) “Has he gone mad? Whatever did he tell you?”
(Puja looks terrified and start sobbing again)
W: “What has happened, Puja? Won’t you tell mamma?”
P: (sobbing) “No mamma, Alok bhaiyya will hit me if i tell you anything. He says that i am a big girl now and that i should not wear knickers now. He also said that now i should not play with girls of my age but only play with him. But mamma...i don’t like playing with Alok bhaiyya.......but am afraid that he’ll hit me if i don’t.”
W: (in an angrier tone) “What the..... How dare he do that? Puja, I hope you are not lying to me, are you? I’ll tan your hide if i find out that you are lying.” (Mellowing down a bit, tension still looming on her face) Look here sweetheart. Alok bhaiyya is a nice boy. I will talk to him and ask him not to force you to play with him. Now be a nice girl and don’t tell anyone about it ...not even daddy, OK?
P: But mamma, am I really a bad girl?
W: (angrily) Now shut up and don’t repeat that again and again or i’ll hit you. Now go and have bath quick.
P: But mamma, i had bathed before going to Alok bhaiyya’s place...why again?
W: (her anger heating up more) Now Puja, Don’t make me lose my temper and do as i say.
Pstarts crying) What have i done mamma? Alok bhaiyya too shouts at me...you too shout at me in the same way....i really must be bad ...vvvery bad. Daddy also says the same thing. I don’t like games you big people play. I never liked them ever. Daddy also makes me play and.........
( The woman starts slapping the girl hard.. until she collapses to the floor)
W: (exasperated & wailing) Help me God.....What wrong did i do, God? that my girl has to face the same wretchedness that i did ??? why God Why........................???