The Truth

“Listen, which sari should I wear today?”

“Wear any one. You look beautiful in all”. Swaraj said looking at Snehal with love. But the moment she could glance at her old photograph, she became sad and said,” This face may look beautiful to you, but not to others. Had you not been there at that time….”

“Shhh! Swaraj kept his fingers on her lips and said, “Today is such a happy day, so don’t remember that day. Get ready fast and come down as the reporters are waiting down below. I am going down”.

Seeing him going down, Snehal ran behind him and hugged him.” If at all I have forgotten all those things, it was only due to you. I love you very much.”

Swaraj smiled and left that place.

Recently Snehal had won the rape case of a 15-year-old girl which had wide coverage by the media and was talked all over. The public wanted to know from Snehal how could she cover the distance from an acid attack victim to a successful lawyer on a rape case. To know that the reporters had come for an interview.

Snehal came down and the reporter asked the first question, “People want to know the reason for your success and courage after such a big victory.If you tell something on that incident many girls like you will be inspired”.

Hearing the words of the reporter Snehal smiled bitterly,” My husband used to say rightly that the whole country would hear my voice one day and today it has been proved correct.”

“So listen, this accident took place when I was 20 years old. When I was returning, after tuition, in the evening someone threw acid on my face in the eerie silence of the street. The person doing the dark deed had a black mask on his face.Before I could identify the culprit he got on his motorbike and disappeared. I was weak at that time. The face was burning when I shrieked with tears in my eyes. But I was not fortunate to have anyone to attend to me as those who came fled away seeing my horrible condition. All my courage gained by the Red Belt of Judo got burnt along with my pain. I shrieked and shrieked till I fell unconscious and my eyes remained closed. When I came back to my senses I could not see anything. My eyes were burning. I could hear only my father’s voice which made me forget the incidence and shriek in fear.

That accident took away everything from me, my beauty, my passion, my courage, and even my eyes. I did not know who did all this, but the only wish in my mind was to get the culprit once to burn him in acid alive. But neither I could know nor the police. I just became a piece of sad news for four days in all newspapers, getting everyone’s false sympathy. Some people had pity on me, others blamed me for the incident.

When I had decided to kill myself after a set back in my life, suddenly Swaraj came into my life. We met and our friendship developed at Suicide Point. Gradually, Swaraj gave me a new reason to live. He brought back my smile once again and encouraged me to face life boldly. He came into my life like an angel and made me so capable that I could sit before you today. Whatever I am today is because of Swaraj's love and enthusiasm. He not only adopted me with my past but also took me out of that past.

He could not bear my pain. He got my eye surgery done in the USA by which I could get back one eye. He was not only my friend but also in a true sense a sympathizer

Swaraj suddenly got depressed seeing her face glow, while narrating her husband’s glory. Swaraj, soaked with sweat, stepped out quickly with his hands on his chest. He felt the heaviness on his chest. He sat under the tree in the courtyard keeping his hands tightly on his chest.

Seeing Swaraj go so suddenly, Snehal too followed him.

The reporters too followed them with their cameras when they saw them both leaving the interview.

Snehal got scared seeing Swaraj sitting like that.” What happened to you Swaraj? Why did you come out? “ she asked.

“Don’t believe me. I am unable to stand your praise. I feel it as a burden on my chest. Probably the time has come now not to tell any more lies to you.”

“Swaraj I am scared, please tell whatever you want coming inside.”

She takes Swaraj inside and the media persons also follow them.

“Snehal the time has come for me to tell the world that I love you indeed but I am not that capable.”

Tears came into her eyes, wiping which she said,” What do you want to say? Please tell it quickly as I am scared.”

“Probably you may not be able to bear it but the fact remains that five years before an accident took place not only with you but also with me.

Reporters kept their ears straight and started recording and writing carefully whatever both of them said.

I was in my last year in college and my brother was in his first year. Being a fresher in the college, he fell in love with a girl who insulted him openly in front of everyone. Probably she did not like my brother’s ways. He became an object of ridicule and in its shock committed suicide. I loved my brother very much.

“One minute. Do you mean Nikhil?”

“Yes, I mean Nikhil.”

What? Is Nikhil your brother. If you had loved him, how is it that you are here?”

All the same, I wanted to avenge my brother's death but I came to know that my brother did not die because of his disrespect; he had committed suicide to save himself of the ignominy of the crime of throwing acid on you. By seeing your condition it was clear that the wrong happened to you, not to us, but none was listening to you. What would have happened if I had told the truth to everyone at that time? Nothing as my brother was dead. Everyone would have sympathized with you and the whole episode was forgotten. You would have become weaker. But I wanted to make you strong so that none dared to harm you. Also, I wanted that if someone dares to do harm, you give punishment to the culprit. The strength of only women can prevent such crimes.

“I wanted to make you strong, so I did not disclose all this to you. Through you, I wanted to warn all the criminals like Nikhil that they will not be able to harm girls like you even by throwing acid. In turn, he will prove himself to be an impotent coward by society. "

Hearing all these, Snehal fell on the sofa and the whole six years passed before her eyes. She trembled whenever she remembered that night.

“I am Nikhil’s brother. After hearing this if you do not want to stay with me, you are at liberty to leave me. None will stop you”.

Hearing Swaraj’s words she came to her senses and hugged him crying loudly.” How can I leave you? I shall give a new flight to your sincere efforts. We shall remain together forever.”

The next day there were discussions on TV and newspapers that if the country has criminals like Nikhil those who do not give respect for women, there are also men like Swaraj those who uphold the dignity and honor of women.

In fact, the country cannot be saved only by wearing uniforms.Every citizen is responsible for safeguarding the country and its progress because “ This country is of brave youths .”

THE END

सच्चाई 

★★★★★ 

© Dharanee Variya

 https://storymirror.com/read/story/hindi/tciv2anq/sccaaii/detail 

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