The Stranger in the Park

Ever since I have become a mother, I have been very protective of my children. My son is ten years old now and my daughter, Nia is seven. She is the apple of my eye. I feel like being with her all day long. I quit my job after her birth and have been dedicatedly looking after the household and my two children.

As it is said, Girls need extra protection from the men’s world outside; I have been doing everything in my power to take care of Nia. I used to drop her to school and pick her up every day. But in recent years, my son Yash has joined a couple of hobby classes and I needed to pay attention to his studies as well. So, my husband suggested, we send Nia to school by school-bus. I thought it was a good idea since it was the school’s responsibility; so, I agreed.

The bus dropped Nia at the main gate of our huge, wide-spread housing society, and from there she came back walking through the park each day. I had instructed the watchman at the main entrance to be vigilant if Nia entered our premises safely and walks towards our building in Block ‘A”, to check that she doesn’t wander around.

That day, Yash’s art class got delayed. I was already late in reaching home before Nia could return. I quickly called the watchman to look after Nia. He told me, I need not worry. Nia was sitting in the society’s park. I was relieved, yet I tried to drive as quickly as possible after picking up Yash.

As I entered the society and drove around the park to reach my building, I saw Nia sitting with a man on the bench in the park. I stopped my car right there and ran towards them. I was shocked to see the man give a huge Dairy Milk chocolate to Nia. Nia happily accepted it and thanked him with a sweet smile and a hug. The man patted her shoulder and cuddled her head. I did not know the man and I was burning with fury at this sight. I ran and pulled Nia apart. I threw the chocolate she had in her hand and shouted at the top of my voice for help. It was almost 4 in the evening and a few people were walking or jogging around. Some children were playing at a distance in the garden. My screams gathered a substantially huge crowd from all over the colony. Many people peeped from their balconies to see what was wrong. The watchman at the main gate rushed and asked me, “What happened Madam?”. I shouted at him, “You said Nia baby was safe and is sitting in the park. Why didn’t you tell me that she is sitting with some random stranger. This man …”, I shouted addressing the crowd, “this man was giving a chocolate to my daughter. He was hugging and touching her all over. I will kill him,” I said as I marched towards him in extreme rage. Nia hugged me from behind and tried to stop me. She said, “No Mumma, Uncle is very good. He loves me; he gives me chocolate every day.”

I was shaken to the core, “What! he meets you every day over here.” My anger had turned my face and eyes red. I had tears running down by now. I hugged Nia tightly for a second and immediately rushed to the man to hit him hard in the face. “Someone call the police”, I was shouting again.

But the people gathered around me were calm. A few ladies tried to calm me down as well. They offered me some water, but I refused. I just wanted this stranger touching my precious daughter to get arrested for his heinous act.

Then an elderly lady from my building, whom I knew well, walked over to me. She patted my back and head and said, “Calm down, Anjali. First, relax and listen to me. This is Mr. Sharma. He lives in Block ‘D’. You might not be knowing his past, since you people moved in just a few years ago. Sharma Ji had a daughter, just about your Nia’s age, when she died. It has been many years now, but since then, he has grown very affectionate toward other children. He keeps distributing chocolates to children now and then. It is his way of fighting the pain he is left with by the demise of his only child. It is his way to cope with the grief since his wife has gone insane by the incident. She used to wander around the colony looking for her daughter and is now confined to their house. At least Sharma Ji is in a better state. He talks to children, gives them gifts, listens to their stories, and tries to heal. You got his gesture completely wrong, Anjali. He has no bad intentions for your daughter. Everyone who knows him will agree. I think you should apologize and let go of the matter”, Aunty said in a soothing and sensible tone.

The people in the crowd also second her.

By now, I was a little embarrassed by what I had done. The man’s story was heartbreaking, but my emotions for my daughter and my instinct as a girl’s mother were too strong at that moment. I understood that I had overreacted. I hung my head down and went to Sharma Ji to apologize. But before I could speak to him, he cried out loudly and ran towards his own building.

The crowd dispersed. I hugged Nia and Yash and returned home. That night I cried a lot while hugging my children. All my life I have been taught to be cautious of strangers. The recent infamous cases of crime against young girls have made me completely paranoid. I was right today being a mother, yet I was wrong as a human being. “Should I not be overprotective of Nia?”, I questioned myself but I got no answer.

Well, as a mother I couldn’t decide what to do, but as a neighbor, I did ensure to send a heartfelt note of apology to Mr. Sharma’s house in ‘D’ block along with a bunch of flowers for his wife. I especially sent Nia to their flat to deliver them, since I did not have the courage to face the man.

I asked Nia when she returned if he accepted the bouquet and the letter. She innocently smiled and said, “Of course, Mumma! Why wouldn’t he, I had told you that day - Uncle is very good”.

I sighed with relief!