We had some nice Chicken Kebab, before TC arrived.
So, damn lucky we thought ourselves as! We got up-gradation from 2nd class to AC compartment! We moved through 10 biggies of Udyan Express, so as to reach our new compartment.
It was some 10pm in the night, and we happily got on our berth, and were about to start snoring.
Bandu poked me and pointed towards the other half of the compartment. It wasn't like I had not noticed him, but there was lot more to notice.
He was a Giant ~200kg man, middle-aged, his arms as fat as a pillar. He had come with a lady, and was talking in local language to two other ladies, apparently mother and daughter. As the matter didn't seem to resolve, TC arrived. The chap welcomed him and gifted him a 500 Rs. note. TC's joy seemed to have no bounds. He left with tremendous respect for the man.
Now, not just it smelled fishy, it was fishy for sure. Disturbed by the happenings, Saptarshi aka bandu, friend accompanying me, asked them, politely, what was happening. The man said, we're just talking regarding some adjustment of seats. You don't worry, you've got a seat, so enjoy sleep.
It all seemed like peace talks before
wtf!
The man just came aggressively towards bandu and acted like punching him. I don't know if Bandu was in a position to feel 'any'thing, but I was shocked and started yelling for help.
Another young south indian guy came to our rescue and assured fat man that we won't interfere. He was still cursing Bandu in local language. We were totally clueless, what was happening. The talks with the ladies continued before the man left compartment for a minute or two. Immediately the mother came to bandu and said, we don't wish to shift, there are all guys in the other compartment. He's trying to separate us! So, when the big man, guru, as others referred to him as, came back in compartment, bandu was packing to leave to the other compartment. Had it been just adjustments of seats, Guru, should have been happy with Saptarshi's help. But alas, he started shouting at Bandu, unfortunately this time, we knew what he was yelling :(. He then sent his supposedly wife to the other compartment, and warned Bandu, 'Netagiri karata hai kya?, Mai $#^% saale tuze dekh lunga'.
So, we were clueless again! This chap had come with his wife, so we discarded possibility of rape.
Now, who the hell bribes 500 to the TC, even after having a ticket? It certainly wasn't right.
But, we thought that was the end of the story, and slept happily.
It was around 5 o' clock in the morning, when I woke up with Bandu shouting for help. 'Guru' was punching him, with all his power. Shit! I called for help with all my abilities. Before, anyone could even come to rescue us, the man left the train with Bandu bleeding from his mouth!
I was still shattered. What the hell had happened?
We kept finding different interpretations out of it, god knows what the case was!
But something was horribly wrong, and Bandu suddenly was hero in my perspective.
He didn't try to be one, except he tried to help the women subtly.
More than all that, I suddenly felt so insecure and helpless! Noone would have saved us, had the big man and his friends had kept hitting Bandu or us. This very much was Gunda raj. South India is well known for their respect to ladies, and what I was watching was totally the other pole. I am still thinking, what should have we done in this scenario, I still can't find a better way.
, and I am restless for all ladies and guyz who might end up facing such bullies.

Obv one should not try to become a hero in others' land, especially when on doesnt even understand the native language.
ReplyDeleteI remember we were like 12 people wanted to stay awake and enjoy in Mysore train, but security guy forced us to quit and switch off lights because some native old guy complained. Legally you may be correct, Obv one is helpless!
Dude, it wasn't a matter of not letting have fun.
ReplyDeleteIt was a serious matter. And if you still have some sensitivity left, you just can't keep quiet.