An Unforgettable Night

My morning cup of tea in one hand and in the other, a newspaper that highlights last night’s news of a very shocking brutal gang rape and then burnt alive the victim. What a morning! The entire nation is shocked and I being a woman in this God’s country – India, again feel scared, broken, and helpless. I am absolutely shaken from inside by a gloomy depressive inflow of thoughts; my tea too turns icy cold as I am so engrossed in reading the news, the other printed news is waiting eagerly when I shall have a look at them but it has lost its significance for me

While moving to the kitchen my eyes are fixed on the high flame of the gas stove. It transports me to that horrific moment when the victim is made subject to such cowardice brutality that has crossed all the limits. I sense uneasiness. For a moment really wish to scream at society but then silently pray for the departed soul. 

“Ok, leaving.” I hold my keys and move ahead to the main door. She comes out and enquires, “Have you taken everything needed?” I nod in affirmation.

 This is my daily routine. At 7 pm I get always ready to earn some bucks by driving my cab on Mumbai roads. Yes, I am one among very few female cab drivers plying at night. My husband knows the need of the hour and my daring spirit. When my relatives raise questions about his strange mentality for allowing me to pursue my hobby, he simply replies, “Someone has to display courage and provide confidence to the girls by becoming a live example. Why not my Wife then?”

My husband and my daughter are my solid rock support. He is in the police department and has done all the necessary arrangements for keeping me safe inside and outside my cab. Earlier, my daughter has not been so worried about me but with the increasing rape rate in our country, she is a little hesitant for allowing me to pursue my business. I understand her mental state, but being a female night cab driver I assure her not to get troubled by the hidden fear of mind. 

I have started keeping in my purse a bottle of chili powder, small sharp objects such as a bundle of safety pins, a paper cutter, and a scissor. Still, my daughter is extra careful and so she has registered my cab number in the police department so that in an hour of need I can be rescued. I know my night driving is risky but I am the only cab driver who is an unshakable hope for lady commuters who leave their organizations very late at night.

My phone beeps and a notification pops up. There is a commuter waiting for me. She is eighteen years old, waiting for me with a man. I pick them and my cab starts flying. I am not in habit of listening to the commuters’ personal chat but tonight I feel some discomfort inside my cab. I look at them through a rearview mirror and find that the little teenage girl is very sad but a tall, handsome, very fair person, sitting beside her is quite happy. 

He is senior in age as well as in designation. A man of powerful impressive personality, he is comforting the girl, “Don’t worry. This is your first time so it seems odd but believe me, this is the easiest and fastest way of reaching a prestigious position through my reference. I shall not be harsh with you as you see I am very soft-natured and will drop you to your home even. If tonight you can learn the secret of progress, it’s better for you.’ 

I get shocked by visualizing the girl’s future and a slight indication of an upcoming rape incident. I start my recorder and link it to the police control room where my husband is ready to hear me. The conversation continues, “I’ll take the full responsibility of shaping your career. You are my chosen one, my girl.”

“Is it so necessary? What about your family? Does it allow you to do this?” She asks timidly.

“My wife is totally dependent on me. She doesn’t dare to go against my wishes. You’re not the first one in my long career of corporate life. I have uplifted the living standards of many girls who have satisfied my sexual desires. I have bought a flat only for this purpose. All arrangements are done there. And you know I haven’t informed about this property to anyone. Only we two be there and you will realize how time flies in my company.”

Not only I but the control room is also alert at this discussion. I am thinking about the girl only. She is my daily commuter and we share a great bond. She has already sent me a text in advance about the man and requested me not to interrupt him in his declaration of statement. She only has told me about this person’s ill intentions and tonight she is with him to give him a lesson of life. So I am not worrying why she is taking time in protesting and denying his indecent proposal.

I keep on driving attentively and then he suddenly looks at me. “Oh my god! A female driver! If I have had noticed earlier, I would never express my feelings to you. Women cab drivers are still rare in India.” I wear a shirt and trousers so passengers in hurry misunderstand me as a male because it is hard to believe that they have hired a woman cab driver at night.

The girl in a disgusting way replies, ‘Meet my aunt. She’s always with me at this hour to drop me at home. You think I am a foolish subordinate. No. I have called her deliberately to teach you a lesson. In this cab, there is a recorder connected to the ‘crime against women’ cell control room. Everything you have said is already recorded by the police. Look! Who is waiting for you?

I smile at my husband's presence who has signaled me to stop the car and asks the man to get down. I am unable to control my laugh. A few minutes earlier the manipulative man seems to be the strongest, and most cunning, but now is pleading and explains to the girl whatever his intentions are he is extremely sorry for that. The police arrest him and I drop the girl safely at her home. She has a victory- glow on her face as now she is not a victim. She has successfully encountered a habitual criminal and put him behind the bars. Her courage is like the ray of sunlight that has brought unexpected hope for the first time in her life.

My phone beeps again as I get another booking. I instantly drive to the next destination to pick the commuter. Strange enough this time again a lady who is very scared and messy. She enters my cab and cries- “Drive fast. Goons are behind me.”

Yes, she’s right. In an open jeep, I notice a few drunk people chasing her. I speed up and once again take the precautionary steps. I send an alert message to the police- “in danger”. through GPS my location is easily traced by them. I ask the girl about the rogues and she replies they are her seniors in college. By the time the jeep appears near to us and after noticing a lady driving the car they are overjoyed as this time they have two women to show their animal instinct. 

They stop their jeep by overtaking the cab. I too stop my car and get ready with my small weapons. They are drunk, throwing abuses and forcing us to come out of the car. The camera installed in my cab is recording everything and sending live pictures to the police control room. Within ten minutes the police van arrives and to their surprise arrest all of them as there is evidence against them.

“Are you ok?” My husband asks me.

‘Yes. Earlier I was a little scary. But now perfectly fine.’ 

The girl thanks me and promises that she will inform the parents, the college principal, and the local leaders about the miscreants. She records her statement in the police station, lodges an F.I.R, and then I drop her at the hostel. She narrates the entire incident to the hostel warden. She immediately announces, "All the girls gather at the reception area." My night becomes memorable as all click selfies with me and find me very inspiring. They all install my app and I get many loyal commuters.

One night and two adventures! I feel like participating in some daring games and have come up as a winner. Tonight is Purnima and the sky with bright full moonlight and stars seems to be happy for me. I switch on the radio and immerse myself in soulful Indian music. All Hindi songs picturized inside Mumbai cabs are my all times favorite. My cab is also pleased to play an important role in averting two sure rape incidents and the heart is content as tomorrow the nation will not have to read shameful covering of a shameful ripping off women’s dignity. 

The sky begins to smile as it loses its darkness with the arrival of the Sun. My cab and I both park ourselves at Marine Drive to feel the soothing breeze. Chotu brings as usual half-cutting Mumbaiya chai and with a pav I completely forget my night’s experience. My phone reminds me of informing my daughter about one more officially safe but unofficially dangerous night on Mumbai road. I dial the number and while waiting for her, enjoy the lovely new morning. Morning -walkers have occupied the entire broad footpath, few are exercising, some are practicing yoga, some are just sitting and watching the sprawling Arabian sea. 

My daughter picks up the phone and is delighted to hear my narration of events. She demands samosas, jalebi and fafra to get packed from a famous farshan shop. I reach home to join my husband and daughter who are overjoyed and welcome me with a tight hug. They utter high words for me in praises. we three then, celebrate the new day with new zeal and happiness.