Sophia's Freedom

Chapter 56 : Attempt to End.

*** I really don't know how I should be reacting after what I had just read. They kept hurting him and he silently kept accepting the suffering and pains without saying a word. This incident must have really left a scar in his soul which could never be healed. He still keeps a smile on his face as if nothing has happened. 

I wish a day would come when Abhinu gets justice for what Uncle and those creeps did to him that night. He has suffered a lot. Why didn't he tell me about this incident? O' god where-ever Abhinu is right now, I hope he is safe. ***

I sat down on the floor, kept my phone on the ground, and placed both my hands on the head. I was feeling really helpless, knowing what has happened and my inability to do anything about it. All I could do was cry.

After a while, Koushik Daa entered the room. He came and sat next to me. 

"What happened sweetie... is everything alright?"

"NO..." I shouted back at him and continued "How can everything be alright... my Brother is missing, my best friend is missing, for all I know Aamaya di is dead and worst of all I suddenly find out Abhinu was raped... There was no one to protecting him... How can everything be alright..."

Koushik dada suddenly looks at me and then said "So... you haven't read everything yet..."

"What do you mean?"

"Ok, I want you to read one more page... because that is the entry which your dad wanted you to read..."

I decided not to argue with him and continue reading the entry he wants me to read.

                                                               22nd May 1994

I had a very bad backache for the last 2 days and was bedridden. I didn't have enough strength left in me to get off the bed too. Worst of all, because of what uncle and the others did to me that day, my lower part where I have a lady part now was bleeding. Uncle called the doctor who shouted at him for doing the disgraceful act and then he gave me some medicines to stop the bleeding and also suggested uncle to apply some sanitary pads so that it doesn't ruin my dresses. It was disgusting but I had no other choice but to put it on.

I was feeling better today and was able to get down from my bed. Early morning Aunty and my sisters have also returned. Uncle had to leave for his tour and so he left home the moment the family returned back home. He asked Aunty no to let me do any household work for a few days. After he left, Aunty asked me what happened but I was too ashamed to tell her, but when she saw the packet of pads, she made me sit on the bed and ordered me to tell the truth. I had no choice but to tell her everything. She probably didn't believe so she made me lie down and examined the scars in my lady part. I could see that she was shocked and almost had tears. She covered her mouth with her hands and stormed out of the room.

I had lost my will to live, I know dad wants me to hold on but after what happened that night, I don't think I can keep up anymore. Every time dad will try to escape they are going to force themselves on me. I finally decided that I had enough and decided to end my life. I walked towards Darika's room and saw that both of them were together. I stepped towards them and asked if I could hug them one last time. They didn't agree and told me that my place is on their feet and I shouldn't forget that. Since it was the last time, with great difficulty I bent down on my knees and gave one last kiss on their feet. I made sure that my lip mark is clear and visible. I stepped out of the room and then I went towards Aunty's room. She was crying, I stood in the door of her room, I wanted to hug her but decided not to disturb her and began to walk towards Aamaya di's room. I saw her sitting on the couch. I stood in front of her. She nodded her head asking me what happened, but I couldn't pick up the courage to tell her anything and asked her if I can touch her hand. She let me do it, and then I gave her a kiss on her hand and then turned back and began to walk to the 2nd floor. 

As I reached the balcony of the second floor, I turned to look back to check if there is anyone who might have followed me, and then I began to step close towards the wall. I looked down judging by the distance and went and sat on the wall so that I can easily jump from there. I was unable to pick up the courage to jump. It felt like thinking of killing myself and actually having the courage to jump are 2 different things.

With great difficulty, I suddenly pushed myself and at that moment it felt like someone caught hold of me by my arm and pulled me towards the balcony. I turned to look at the person and found that it was Aamaya di who pulled me to safety. I pleaded to her to let me go as I don't want to live anymore. I tried to struggle to let go of her hand and end her life and then she asked me why I suddenly took the decision, and then I told her all about what happened the other night and also that my dad is safe. She stepped towards me and tightly hugged me and then she told me about someone named Allen and how uncle did the same thing to him what was being done to me. Allen attempted the same thing that I was about to do today and he also kissed her hand the same way I did a few minutes back, unfortunately, she was unable to save him. but she said that that day she vowed before God that no one else will suffer the same fate as him. She began to kiss me all over the face and then said if I promise her never to try to attempt this stunt again, she can promise me that my dad will be rescued in the next 6 months and also make sure that Abhishek dada will never trouble me again anymore. I was not sure if she really meant it, but for once her hug really gave me a comforting warm hug. She took me to her room and asked me to sit on her bed and then she called up Darika and Garima to her room and threatened them that if they ever ask me to kiss their feet, she will tell Monika to make my life miserable. Nothing much happened except the fact that Aamaya di told Aunty about it and she told that whatever Aamaya di promised can really happen.

"I hope you know the truth and why your mom is out?"

I was lost for words and with my head pointed down I replied "Hmmm... I think I do."

"Well, there is something they want me to tell you..."

"What...?"

"That person whom Aamaya mentioned is her brother and right now your parents have gone to tell her brother Amell about the death of his sister..."

I was surprised at the sudden revelation but right now my mind was stuck in the one incident which almost led Abhinu to take his life. 

“Dada... can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead dear?”

“Why uncle is so shameless? Why he was not thinking about his children before doing such a malicious act. Forgive me if I am stating it the wrong way, but if someone attempt the same with his daughters... how would he feel?”

Koushik Daa looked at me, stretched his right arms and placed it around my shoulder and replied "This world is full of characters or person who can baffle you, surprise you, disgust you, or frighten you. As adults, it is our job to protect and shield the young ones, from this kind of mentally sick character. You might believe that this is one isolated act of pure hatred and cruelty which is unique and not commonly encountered in today's world, but you would be surprised to learn that these acts are far more common and brutal and psychopathic than our innocent guileless lives allow us to be exposed to. The only difference is once we come across these atrocities, we lose our belief and trust in this world and cynicism takes hold of our hearts and embitters us."

He paused for a while giving me an opportunity to digest what he said and continued "As kids, you are always protected from these realities by your parents and guardians whose only intention is to save you from this cruel and cynical realism and preserve the innocence and virtue of your minds. Sadly, for Abhinu the person who was entrusted with his guardianship turned out to be one of those psychopaths who could stoop to the thresholds of human indecency and use and a***e anyone for his personal gains. But there are people who will come forward to extend their help and support in your times of need selflessly and without any personal interest.”

He paused for a while allowing me to understand what I was talking about and then continued “You know very well whom I am talking about. So, to summarise, there is both good and bad in this world and it is easy to be frustrated and disgusted by the bad and lose hope but every act of kindness balances out the bad and stop us from extinguishing that little ray of hope in humanity. I hope yours is not affected by Uncle's demonic acts."

*** I could get the gist of what Koushik dada spoke even though most of it went over my head. ***

He moved his hands away and using his phone he took a picture of the photograph I gave him earlier and sent it to someone. As soon as the delivery notification pinged his phone, he received a call on his phone.

I couldn't hear what was being said at the other end of the line but all I could hear was Koushik dada’s response,

"Yes, Aunty it is done. She has seen it."

"Ok... we are on the way."

He disconnects the call and dials up another number.

"Hello, Mausi... This is Koushik here."

"Everything has been set in motion. I will need your eyes and ears on the road."

"I will be traveling from 37 Netaji Road to 21 Ketia Junction, and I need you to keep track of us throughout the journey."

"Remember I told you about Monika, I need to take her to a safe house, and I want your people to keep a track of my bike during the journey"

"I have sent you an address. In case something goes wrong, can you promise me you will take the child to the address I have sent you."

Koushik dada looked at me and said "Monika, we need to go somewhere. Please get ready," and left the room.

Before leaving he said, “I will get the bike ready… please get dressed.”

I went through my cabinet for something to wear and found the denim pants and the blue jacket papa bought for me on my last birthday.

I had never worn pants since the unfortunate incident with my Abhinu, but today I wore it happily without any hesitation. Along with it, I wore my favorite black boots.

It took me around 15 minutes to get ready. As I came out, I found Koushik dada checking the rooms to make sure all the windows were properly closed and locked.

He gave me another plate of Halwa and told me to have it as he needs to finish some work before leaving.

He started going through all the rooms of my house and pointing his fingers in the air, he said, "I have installed some micro cameras throughout the house which are connected to a stakeout van monitoring the house."

"Today morning after Mr. Banerjee went to the hospital, to enquire about Sophia, they replied that no one by the name of Sophia Banerjee was ever admitted, and the only Banerjee admitted in the past 2 months was an Aamaya Banerjee who was admitted a week ago… We have a feeling that Mr. Banerjee is desperately searching for Geeta because he thinks we have taken her away from him."

As he was talking, his phone buzzed. He looked at me and replied, "Honey, you finish the halwa while I go and get this call" and went out of the house to respond to the call while I devoured the halwa.

I saw Koushik Dada's Blue and Red 800cc Honda parked outside the door which I had always dreamt of riding one day. Suddenly a black-colored SUV entered our house and parked right next to Koushik dada's motorcycle. As I was admiring the vehicle, my eyes got heavy, and my head felt a pounding. I tried to accustom my eyes to my surroundings, my eyes watered and then everything went completely blank.

                                                                        TO BE CONTINUED...

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