Escape From The Rapist -----

               I have shared My Life experiences in here.I write and shed light on My Life,hoping it would bring about a small change and make a difference to another.In the hope, that it may in some way, Help another who is reading and also learn from My Life Experiences. So here goes another one of my Fact of Life....Experience !!!

             This incident happened nearly 22 yrs ago. I was singing as I was packing my bags with clothes and blankets and other small belongings to go off to the University to do my Masters in Sociology.For the first time in 22 yrs I would be away from Home.I was off to Mysore, Karnataka,India, A tiny Historical city away from my home town.I smelt "Freedom" and the excitement I was going through is something I can't put in words,it was total......F.R.E.E.D.O.M . Before I proceed ,I have some very Important people I need to mention in this indecent, 1) Vidya , 2) Shilpa-----( My friends, from my Hometown)the three of us, did our Masters together. Vidya and Shilpa did their Masters in English Literature.
3) Pandu-----he is Vidya's Cousin and my senior plus a very good family friend  and  to top it,he was also Shilpa's neighbor !!!
4) Kumar-----we called him Kumar anna as he was much older to us,Kumar anna was Pandu's co-worker and lived near by to Pandu's house.  Last but not the least......
5) Vicky-------Vidya's boy friend.   Lastly
6) kalpana------again Vidya's Cousin sister.

               The above mentioned people have all played a vital role in this Incident of mine.Hence,its important that I mention their names and how they are all related to me and among themselves.
              I was in the final yr of my M.A. The three of us Vidya,Shilpa and myself used to stay at the hostel. which was located next door to the university.It was a very relaxed,open and cool kind of hostel with no hard and fast rules.Infact,it was quite liberal.Yet,on weekends we would long for a escape to Pandu's house.Pandu lived near by ( luckily) The reason why we 3 longed to go to Pandu's place was to..... "Hog" !!! Lolz. small things which we take for granted, when we live at home with our parents,had all turned into luxury. Like for instance The Phone,The TV, The Refrigerator, Food, All of these seemed like luxury when we stayed at the hostel. Pandu was well aware of this,and he would go out of his way to stock the refrigerator for us (so sweet of Him),Then we had the luxury of using his land line for Freeeee...(wow what a luxury) and to top it,we had our own private TV with a video player (DVD wasn't invented then,22yrs ago). He too loved our company,Well tell me who wouldn't ?? We were all cute and charming ;) and made his boring bachelor days more fun. We were also partners in Crime....We would give him and his set of friends company at clubs these were kinda exclusive clubs,were only couples are given admission,If your stag,then you would be, politely asked to leave.Well,so this was kinda working well for us and him.

               Every time Pandu left town ( which was twice a month ) He would hand over the house keys to us,and we 3 used to just wait for this opportunity to stay at his place. He had a few rules for us to follow,which we didn't mind. First and foremost was to keep all the "Doors Locked" very important.....then to put a lock on the front Gate !! again Very Important. Then, He had a request...He would say...{" Tey goode goode,shorts ani mini skirts ghaalnuu,bhaayri bhovnookachi go"} Translation.....{"Don't loiter around in short minis and shorts out side of the house"}....how cute is that ??? This was mainly for Vidya... ;) . Vidya,was a  cute,short,chubby,girl,who would easily pass off for a high school student.She was barely 4' 10" in height,was more rounded and had cute looks.You could anytime catch her in the shortest of the short minis or shorts,loitering on the front lawn,and trying to get some road side vendor to give her some free "raw mangoes" or "cucumber slices" or some "pea nuts"... Lolz. On the other hand, Shilpa and Myself, were the backyardigans, We were happy to sit there in the back of the house eating pea nuts and gossiping ( yep, those very pea nuts,Vidya used to get from the vendors) hehe.

            It was the Monsoons,Month of June,and we were preparing for our final papers.Since I was studying Sociology and both Shilpa and Vidya were studying English Literature,our timings didn't match.Sometimes I would finish a paper a day earlier and sometimes they both would finish a paper sooner.But,that didn't stop us from going over to pandu's place.In fact, we looked forward to go there.Pandu was off to Bangalore to attend some meeting and we three were getting nice and cozy at his place.The fateful day was a Sunday,and I was having a test the next day in the morning ( Monday)Lucky Vidya and Shilpa didn't have to bother until Tuesday.These girls,had already made plans for the evening.Shilpa was going out with her boy friend and Vidya too had made dinner and movie plans with her boy friend. Poor Me :( was the one left behind to study :( .

          Vicky,Vidya's boy friend was to come by around 2:00 pm to pick her up.She would be coming back around 8ish,after her movie and dinner date.Same for Shilpa too,Shilpa wasn't expected home until the next day !! She was off with Kiran. A little after 2 we heard the car pull up out side the gate.Both Vidya and I went up to the gate----remember we had to keep the gate "Locked" at any given day or time !! After seeing Vidya off at the gate,I locked  the gate,dutifully :P. After locking I went back to sit in the backyard and study.A short while later I heard Vidya calling out my name.When I went over to the gate,Vicky handed me a package...Mmmm smelt yum yum.... It was really so sweet of Vicky and her,to have bought me some Lamb Biryani and Fish Cutlets...yummmy. I went back in side and put it away,as I wasn't very hungry right then,I thought to myself,I'll have it for Dinner.I went back to the backyard stretched myself on the pool side chairs ( except there was no pool) :(   and was buried in my book.I must have been out there until late evening,it must have been like 6ish,and it was beginning to get dark. It was also starting to get cloudy and there were dark clouds in the sky. One thing I love about Mysore Monsoons is that,It rains only in the evenings,It would begin to rain in the evenings and go on until wee hrs of the morning the next day. So,sensing that it would start to pour,I decided to go inside the house.It was out of habit and choice,we used to light a mosquito repellent and keep it around the house on the outside. So,I did the needful,I went to the backyard put one out there,then one on the front of the house,I walked over towards the gate,just to check the lock,it was locked and walked back to the house.The distance from the gate to the house was about 30 feet I guess. There wasn't much on the property,On the right side of the house was a huge coconut garden,there was a small patch of land in the backyard of the house.Pandu had a green thumb,he had maintained a small kitchen garden in the backyard, He was very proud of his Kitchen Garden ,He had Cucumber and Bitter gourd creepers, he had let them grow over a couple of iron rods,also grown in there were--- Green Peas,Tomatoes, Green Chillies and a few other veggie's. Okay so,after turning the lights On, both in the front and back of the house. I went in to the bedroom to watch some TV. As a habit,I didn't bother to bolt all the bolts on the door,leading to the back of the house... After,settling on the bed and making myself comfy...I decided to eat some  Lamb Biryani and Fish Cutlets.... Mmm

           I warmed the Lamb Biryani and the Fish Cutlets opened a can of coke and settled on the bed,switching on the TV. I was,enjoying my food and also Thanking Vidya/Vicky for being so caring and just then the phone rings,Its Pandu...calling to see,if we are doing good,I tell him the girls are out with the boys...and I'm "Home Alone"...He just asks me to stay indoors and a bit of advice here and there and he's done.I hear the thunder and the rains pouring,I hope the lights don't go out,I hate to be in the dark and all alone. Again the phone rings,its Vidya this time,She yaps and yaps about the movie and tells me she's at Kalpana's place ( kalpana is vidya's cousin) and shall be home soon,As we are talking,I hear a knock on the door,I tell vidya, " Hey,Vidya,there is someone at the door" My first guess is, it must be Kumar anna ( Pandu's co-worker). So,I go to look out side and its pitch dark.I remember turning the light "on",I look up at the switch,its ON...I then hear one more knock,this time around the left side of the house,on the kitchen window!!! I'm still not freaked out---why?---cause I'm still thinking it must be Kumar anna !!! He has done that in the past---when ever we girls were alone,He would come by to scare us and knock on the windows and Boooo !!! okay,so I'm not scared,and instead I'm yelling at him to stop it !!!! That is when I hear a male voice----saying-----------"B**** OPEN THE DOOR,I'M THE POLICE"

             I went back into the bedroom,picked up the phone and whispered and asked Vidya to come home immediately and told her what's happening.Vidya,asked me not to panic.She gave the phone to Kalpana. Kalpana sensed I was gonna be in big time trouble.She kept talking to me trying to keep me calm.Well so far so good, I wasn't panicking nor did I guess to what extent this would go, at this point,I had no clue at all.I heard a loud kick on the backyard door,another kick on the front door,and his voice was getting louder,calling me names----"S**t open the damn F****** door" .I kept talking to Kalpana and telling her what was happening and she began to Panic,and she was saying---" no matter what happens,..."DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR".... would I ever ???  Darn, I had forgotten to bolt all the bolts on the backyard door,I crept out of the bedroom and as quietly as possible I bolted all the bolts on the door and also switched off all the lights in the house. Meanwhile this man was going round and round the house calling me sick names,cursing me ,swearing and banging on the windows.I went back into the bedroom and was again on the phone with Kalpana,giving her a detailed description of whats happening. Amazingly, I'm just too calm !!! It has not yet "HIT ME" That this is Danger staring at my face. I felt safe cause I'm "Inside the house" and as long as I aint coming out I'm safe. So with courage and feeling bold I yell out at him and ask him to F*** off...

         My yelling did no good,instead it was like rubbing salt over a open wound. I didn't see this coming----He got more louder and rude with words and with his deeds,and thats when I heard a loud crash in the Living room. Kalpana who was still on the phone...screamed,yelled and she was more confused than I was.I didn't want to go out into the living room and check,it was very clear he had shattered a window. I was also worried about stepping on the  glass, scattered on the floor.So,I just sat still at the foot of the bed crouching in a corner,whispering over the mouth piece with kalpana .At least, I had her virtual presence.Did I thank God too soon ??? The telephone goes Dead in my hand !!! Wow just what I wanted.Great !! I think to myself....Its pouring cats and dogs outside....I'm in a total dark room....with a dead phone....and a Psycho out side the house.Can it get any better ??

           I don't know why,but for some reason I was still holding on to the phone,hoping to hear Kalpana on the other end.Suddenly I heard another Crash and something landed right next to my foot,This time it was the window in the bedroom and I saw a flickering flame,I guessed he was using a cigarette lighter and the stuff next to my foot was now visible it was a fist sized Rock.....and I heard his Filthy voice again...and this is what he said....{" I want your H*** to shove my C*** inside"}.....I had NEVER ever heard such filthy language in my life,I felt Humiliated,Violated,Angry....and this is when FEAR crept in....I saw the flame fading away,and even before I could breathe I heard the cracking on the Door ( the backyard door) It sounded like he was using some tool and pounding on the door.......

             This is when, I began to weep...with what ever courage I could muster,I slipped on some foot wear,crouched out into the living room and pushed a table across the door, blocking the door. I heard him cursing me and pounding harder,I crept back into the bedroom closed the door and I couldn't find any light weight furniture around,the best option now was to go under the bed. I have fear of small spaces,I'm claustrophobic.With tears rolling down my face,I stayed under the bed...must have been just a couple of minutes.....and I was having a hard time staying calm and I couldn't breathe anymore.If I stayed any longer under the bed,this would have suffocated me,I dragged myself out, I found Pandu's Cricket Bat under the bed,pulled it out and I sat still at the foot of the bed,Crying......Praying

          All I could hear,was the thunder and pouring rain.I was too scared to even move from that spot. Thats when I heard a Familiar Voice.... :) Kumar anna, He was calling out to me from the kitchen window....I had Nooooooo courage to open the door to another Male....aahan no way.Soon after wards I heard Vidya, calling out asking me to come and open the gate ( remember the gate is locked). I thanked God and was crying harder both simultaneously,I just rushed out into the pouring rain,what a relief it was to see Vidya !! Both Vicky and Vidya came in and Kumar anna was in the coconut garden looking for the intruder. Kumar was carrying a flash light,He went around the house, looking for the damage.Poor Pandu's Kitchen garden was a total mess,This psycho had snatched out the Iron rod which had the cucumber creeper growing over it,and it was used to crack the door,it was there lying beside the door....the light bulbs,both in the front of the house and in the back of the house were smashed.....last but not the least........He had "cut off" the phone line !!!! wow...So,this guy had come well prepared...he must have been carrying a knife,or scissors or a blade...something sharp....

             Vidya and I were both whisked off to Kumar's house for the night.Kumar informed Pandu about the whole incident.It was very kind of Kumar and his Mom to let us stay for the night.Vidya and kumar were both dying to know....But,I was totally silent, I was numb,I just couldn't get myself to open up and tell them anything/everything.I just went off to sleep.....

         I woke up at dawn,after a night of nightmares,I was sitting outside with my head buried in my book,when I heard the bike outside,I looked up to "see" Pandu walk in with a serious and stern look on his face. Gosh I began to panic and with out warning,tears began to roll down my cheeks.....goshhh, what timing. He just walked up,hugged me real tight and a quick peck on my forehead and said....." Your safe and that's all that matters "....and later with a grin added....{"Tey gudde gudde skirt ani shorts,hajeh kathiri ghaalnoka malale"} Translation......"This is the only reason why,I would ask you girls not to wear short skirts and roam around " :P

          I have no recollection of how I did with my papers,I did pass with a "First Class". More than a week later,once again at Pandu's place we had all gathered,the whole gang....Shilpa,Vidya,Pandu,Vijay,Kumar,Kirti,and Myself ...Vijay and Kirti are Pandu's close friends.This was our last day in Mysore. Done with the Finals and we were to pack and go back home for vacations.....and All of them wanted to hear the story from the horses mouth,and by now I was also ready to tell them all the gory details. We were all in a mood to celebrate,so there was plenty of Good Food and Booze and then of course the VIP of the evening ME....As I ended my story,I looked at them staring at me...with mouths wide open....pin drop silence....and all they could say was................ " Your One Lucky B****" ( all in good humor ).

             When I think back.....I say to myself.....What in case,out of stupidity or carelessness I had opened the door.....What in case,I actually believed that man to be a cop and had opened the door....What in case,he was able to break open one of the doors....or...What in case,out of habit I had left the backyard door unlocked ??......Would I be here today,to share this incident with all of You ??.....This would be a case of Rape and Murder !!

          When life pulls you through and you face such kind of misadventures,You learn,You become Strong and You know not to turn into that dark ally...no matter how short that road is...This is one of the many reasons,why I'm so possessive and protective over my two Beautiful Babies....This is why,I want them to learn some kind of Martial Art, so You have Confidence,You have Courage.....Apart from the rest of the things.....what you would really need...is Commonsense..........and......."Loads of Luck"

        *Until we meet again..Please Stay Safe and Lock The Door*


PS-- After reading about my misadventure,readers have wondered ..." why didn't I call the Police ??? Did I file a Police report ?? Did He get caught ??"

          This incident took place 22 yrs ago,If your unawares let me shed some light over the Law system in India,well the Law system in India is Pathetic.More over..... The scenario would have been worst,if I were to call the cops.Rather than helping me and being sympathetic to me and listening to my version of the story....They would bombard me with a million Questions...You never know,they would have,even held me responsible.The last thing I wanted was,A Psycho stalking Me...and a cop case with my Final Exams over me !!!!......More over,remember my land line was CUT OFF !!