A Disturbing Encounter on the Train: A Woman's Experience
An Unsettling Journey
On this particular day, the train was less crowded than usual. Surekha placed her office bag on an empty seat and settled down beside it.
In the entire compartment, apart from a few men, Surekha was the only woman present. It was nighttime, and everyone seemed drowsy, either chatting softly or dozing off.
Suddenly, a group of 3-4 individuals entered the compartment, clapping their hands and demanding 5-10 rupees from the men.
Some complied quietly, while others murmured in annoyance.
"Could you please spare us from this collection at night?"
Ignoring Surekha, they moved ahead.
After a brief stop, a few boys boarded the train and rushed towards the front, with Surekha's destination still an hour away.
The group of boys gathered near Surekha, and one of them leered at her, saying, "Madam, you should lift your bag; the seat is for sitting, not for your belongings."
His friends laughed grotesquely in support.
Surekha picked up her bag and squeezed into her seat.
The boys sat down next to her.
With a pleading look, Surekha glanced at the 2-3 men seated across from her, but they acted as if she didn't exist.
One boy ran his finger along her arm, while the others encouraged him with their crude laughter.
"Hey... Mister, show some decency," Surekha exclaimed, standing up and raising her voice.
The men in the compartment continued to act oblivious, lost in their own world.
"Oh no, Madam is upset! Please sit down; our destination is still far, and we will entertain you until then," said a boy with betel-stained teeth, grabbing her hand.
The seats in the compartment felt like they were occupied by stone statues.
Meanwhile, the group of individuals who had entered earlier heard Surekha's voice and approached her.
"What will you entertain us with? We will entertain you!"
"Shabana, lift your skirt; this smooth one is full of youth!"
"Oh, look at their faces; even a dog wouldn't lick them!"
"They are full of mischief; Julie, strip them of their clothes, let's have some fun!"
As the bulky individual named Julie advanced towards the boys, they bolted towards the door and jumped out of the slowly moving train.
Surekha's tear-filled eyes fell on the so-called men in the compartment, who were engrossed in their phones, avoiding her gaze.
Meanwhile, the real men had moved on, clapping and heading towards another compartment.