Deceptive Looks

As a kid of the 90s, a weird image of the Villain has been subconsciously fed in my mind, thanks to our Bollywood! Most of the times in our Hindi Cinema, the villain has been portrayed as a person who is ferocious, dark skinned, adorning thick stubble or moustache with a stentorian voice. Unintentionally, this had created a lasting impression in our innocent brains for their negativity. 

When I was studying in 2nd standard, it happened that I went with my neighbours to attend a Birthday party of Aunty's nephew, Gautam. Yes, they were not just neighbours, but more of a family. Uncle and Aunt were very fond of me and I would spend most of my free time frolicking in their house. Somedays, if my mom had some work, Aunty would take care of me and feed me with mouth-watering delicacies. Their ten year old daughter Palak and I shared a very sweet bonding but it was quite the opposite with her elder brother Rohit. It was not that we hated each other or something, but most of the time we ended up fighting for no reason, oblivious to the fact that this will lead to a big trouble one day.

After a fun-filled cake-cutting, we kids settled down in the playing room. While Uncle was looking after the guests, Aunty aided in the kitchen. I got hold of a 64 piece puzzle game and as usual, Rohit interjected in between. A dispute was raised and he brawled, "this is my cousin's party, u better leave from here". Rohit actually did not have any intentions to throw me out of the house, he just said that in anger. But I took his words seriously and left the place fuming. 

I passed the first lane confidently but then I froze, literally. I was standing at the crossroads, not knowing where to go next. I lost my way home. I began to sweat while trying to identify the path that we had taken before to be there for the birthday celebration. However, I remained clueless. With trembling legs, I moved ahead on some unknown road, hoping to get into the right track. But, as I was walking, I was getting even more puzzled. I paused, composed myself and decided that it is better I seek someone's help. 

This is when the whole Bollywood scenario came into my min

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d. I started looking for a person who was fair-skinned, medium built, smooth-shaven and definitely with no big moustaches, since this was the personification of 'a Hero or a Good man' imbibed by the society. I was afraid that if I asked help from a 'Bad man', he might take advantage of the situation and would kidnap me. I was partially correct in my comprehension but my perception of a bad man was certainly wrong. However, I could not think beyond this as I was subjected to that villanous image inadvertently at a very tender age. 

Thus, I began to search for my so-called, Good man. After rejecting about twenty people, I finally found the type of person I was looking for. He was the owner of a small confectionary. I went to him and tried to strike the conversation. But he seemed too busy with his customers. After waiting for a couple of minutes, I softly requested, “Uncle can you please listen to me once? I have landed into a problem.” He rolled his eyes and nodded to speak, though in a little disgust. Hesitantly I briefed him about my crisis. However, he remained indifferent and chose not to respond. I was dumbfounded by his behaviour with tears ready to flow from my eyes. Just then, a customer who was silently listening to all this, came close to me and gently asked, “Beta just tell me the area of your home, I will take you there.” I was terror-stricken as this man was exactly the way I have perceived a bad man to be. He was heavily built with long grey moustaches. I took a shallow breath and stammered, "U..u..uncle I live in Mm..Mayur Vihar. Please just guide me the route, I will go by myself." He chuckled at my words and said, "it is quite far, come, sit on my bicycle, I will drop you home." I was afraid but I had no other way except succumbing to his offer. 

I was seated on the front frame of his bicycle and he began to ride. In my heart, I was now chanting all the names of God that I could remember and praying to get me home safely. A few minutes passed, and I was in Mayur Vihar. I breathed a great sigh of relief and directed him to my home. He kept his words and I was with my family once again.

This whole episode taught me a lesson for life that we should never judge people by their looks. In a true sense, I learnt the meaning of the saying, "Don't go for looks, they can deceive".