Blank Noise Spectators

Jasmine

I feel a little less angry when I recall because I have been thinking and this happened 6 years ago. This is not to say that I do not feel confused every time I recall.

I still feel let down by the people who spectated. I was walking down CMH road, on an early evening, happy and lost in my thoughts when all of a sudden I was made to realize a hand grabbing my breast. I dont know what got into me but that very instant I turned around screaming..." stop wait!!" and was walking faster towards the two men who were beginning to walk away even faster.

It was getting dark and I do not recall their faces. The kept signaling towards me as they walked off saying that I was mad and drunk.

A row of auto rickshaw drivers sat there. watching.

Before I could ask them to even help, one responded in the most calm manner..." he ran away...woh bhaag gaya."

That day I was shocked, horrified not just at the fact that I had been assaulted but also because the witnesses became spectators for drama.

Did they not help me because I did not speak the local language? Was I too foreign for them to understand? or empathize with? Or did they just see a crazy woman screaming?

I don't understand indifference.