They Can Hear You

Rani lived in a rural village with her parents. Her father was a respected man but only in the eyes of society, because his family knew his true colors. He was a conservative father who had no feelings for his daughter. He was a threatening and dangerous person to anyone who tried to touch his perfect image in front of society. His social madness went to such lengths that, he abandoned his first child and gave him up for adoption because society thought that it was not his.

 Rani knew her father inside out even at the naïve age of nine years. To her, he was a being to be feared. She was an obedient child who loved singing. She participated in all local festivals and rejoiced people with her soothing voice. Each time she participated in such programs, she was highly praised by the elders of her village, and they lovingly called her “ the nightingale”, This was the sole reason why her father let her participate in such events, just to gather praise.

Soon months turned into years and Rani became eleven years old. She was now, slowly and steadily, turning into a beautiful young girl. Her father was unhappy with her natural growth, as he believed that such beauty would bring disaster.

Just like every year, Rani participated in the Diwali singing competition. But this time the competition was more grand as it was the seventieth Diwali festival. Rani was also very excited this time because her mother specially made a new dress for her. She eagerly waited for the competition, so that she could show everyone her dress. She hoped that everyone would praise her for her dress. But her hopes were crushed when her father forced her to wear a simple black dress, which she wanted to throw because it was not in a good state.

Even after all this, she gave her best in the competition and won first prize again this year. Everywhere a loud round of applause could be heard. Her father was dying of happiness and was feeling very proud of her daughter. But soon his happiness turned into anger when an old woman commented that, his daughter looked like a harlot, luring men with her sweet and seductive voice.

That day his madness reached its peak, and he did something unthinkable. As soon as he reached home, he took a bottle and threw it toward Rani, before she could understand something, she felt as if her whole skin was burning, the pain was so unbearable that she started crying very loudly, as it was acid which was burning her skin. As she was slowly losing consciousness, all she could hear was,” Stop crying the people could hear you, stop it, they could hear you…”. And she slowly went into deep sleep.

It has been now twenty years but still, Rani could never forget that day. It is fresh in Rani's memories like it happened just yesterday.