Black and blue #25

Stalker #4

That day I was wearing my favorite black kurti to school. I was partaking in a debate that day.

But I also wanted to confront the man on the bike. I was a Bambai ki Ladki- bold and daring and pugnacious. This was my city. No one was going to violate my space and alienate me from the city of my birth.

Predictably, that day he started slowing down and honking as he drove by me. I turned to look at him, hoping to burn him with a stare.

It all happened too fast. I saw his face- young, handsome. His lips were widened in a sneer.
He grabbed with one hand at my shirt, and yanked at it. I moved away, shouting.

As a result, the kurti tore down the shoulder.

Before I could even say anything, he had driven away.

I don't remember anything that day, except that I went to school crying. Friends and teachers comforted me, but debating was out of the question.

And my problems were only starting.

- Prachi Percy