1. Return my rights
Part 1
‘’ Do you really feel that is wise to go out for a movie with this guy?’’ asked Molly anxiously, looking
at her younger sister Pinkie as she put on her shrug. ‘’ Nothing to dissuade you, Pinkie, but you
know that it hasn’t even been a month since you guys have met and that too online.’’ Molly was not
at all in favor of her whimsical sister’s reckless lifestyle and innumerable chat and mobile friends,
all presumably of the opposite sex. This one boy, who claimed to be called Rahul had sent Pinkie a
friend request on Face Book . For the past month, Molly’s dreamy sister had lived, breathed and
sensed Rahul everywhere. Today was the day that she was meeting Rahul for the first time. They
were going to a multiplex for a late night movie which had her more practical and responsible elder
sister severely worried.
Pinkie shot her sister an irritated glance as she donned an extremely short and sheer top which
revealed her tanned midriff and was way too low in front: ‘’ Sis, I told you, Rahul isn’t like that. Will
you stop worrying?” Molly eyed her sister’s revealing outfit with consternation and sighed.
‘’ Pinkie, I am not saying that Rahul is a bad man. He may be a perfectly great guy but till you know
that for sure, don’t you think it is good to be cautious? Today is the first time that you are meeting
and you can see it is evening. Why are going for a late night movie, on the very first day? Bring him
to the coffee parlor near our place. It is a perfectly fun spot for hanging out. Also, Pinkie, please
change out of that top and put on something else.’’ Molly finished her long speech and waited for
her sister’s reaction, knowing that it would have the opposite effect on her impetuous younger
sibling.
Pinkie laughed and picked up her designer handbag. ‘’ Bye Molly, I have my set of the house keys.
Will be back by one, perhaps later.’’ She sprinted out the door and Molly heard her hailing a cab. She
sat down on the sofa in despair as helpless tears coursed down her cheeks, hoping for her younger
sister’s safe return soon.
Part 2
‘’ Awesome movie, wasn’t it?’’ said Rahul, eyeing Pinkie’s lavishly curvaceous figure longingly. After
the movie, Rahul had insisted upon driving up to a secluded romantic hangout on the city outskirts.
They were sitting in the backseat of his brand new car. Pinkie was looking at her wristwatch. It was
after one in the morning already.
‘’ Yes but Rahul, I really should get home.’’ She said. ‘’ It was fabulous meeting you but I promised
my sister that I would be home by one.’’ She was beginning to get unnerved by Rahul’s leering look
at her plunging neckline which was exposing her generous cleavage. For the first time in years, she
saw the wisdom of her sister’s caution in not meeting strangers.
Rahul laughed. ‘’ Don’t worry, I will drop you home, sweetheart. Now come on, I spent a fortune on
the movie tickets, refreshments and my petrol mileage. Isn’t it high time that you gave me my

2. money’s worth, my dear?’’ Before the astonished girl had a chance to react, Rahul reached out and
touched the above portion of her clingy top which she now regretted wearing.
‘’ Hey, what are you doing?’’ Pinkie merely had time to gasp out a protest as the shrug she was
wearing over her top came off in his hands. ‘’ Rahul, stop!’’ she shrieked, panicked now. Things
were getting out of hand. His breath was coming hot and fast on her face as she heard him
unfastening his belt.
Panic gripped her. Using every ounce of strength she possessed, she frantically tried to unlock the
door on her side. Rahul roared with laughter at her tear stained face and futile attempts to get out
of the car. ‘’ Darling, the door is locked and the key is with me.’’ He showed it to her, as her face
blanched.
‘’ Now quit playing around. I don’t like it when time is wasted.’’ With that, he grabbed her square by
the shoulders. Pinkie heard rippings sounds of her sheer top which left her shoulders bare, as she
looked at herself horrified in the front mirror. ‘’ Why are you doing this?’’ she sobbed. ‘’ I thought
that we are friends.’’
‘’ Of course, we are, dearie. That is why you should reciprocate the amount of money I have spent on
you. Now come on, don’t keep me waiting.’’ With that he grabbed her mouth and tried to kiss her.
Using all her strength Pinkie used her nails to jab at his eyes. Rahul shrieked out in pain and anger.
Using this opportunity, Pinkie grabbed the car keys from his fingers, as he tried to soothe his
bleeding eyes, unlocked the door on her side and stumbled out of the car. Her top was torn beyond
redemption and face was bleeding where she had been scratched and bitten. There were scratches
on her shoulders too. Pinkie started running blindly in the direction of home, tears running down
her face. She wanted to go home to her sister Molly. ‘’ Why didn’t I listen to you, Molly? Why dint
you stop me by force if you had to?’’ she sobbed, as she stumbled along the deserted road, not
daring to look back. It was after two in the morning.
Part 3
Molly did not know what to do. ‘’ I should never have let her go.’’ She was sitting down on the
drawing room sofa with her head in her hands. It was almost three and Pinkie had not yet turned
up. Molly had tried calling her sister’s mobile repeatedly but it was switched off. Pinkie, although
reckless she was, loved her sister and always stayed in touch, if she was outside home. That was
the factor which was worrying Molly. She was extremely fond of her younger sister and the idea of
anything happening to her was beyond thinking. Despite their differences, the sisters were
extremely close to each other and had been so since their parents’ death ,several years back.
Just was Molly was about to reach for the telephone to call the police, the doorbell rang. Running to
open it, nothing could have prepared Molly for the horrifying scene that met her eyes. Her beloved
younger sister stood outside in the pouring rain, with marks of horrifying injury on her face, neck

3. and shoulders, scratches and bite marks covering every inch of skin. Her top was now even briefer
than it had been previously, shreds of which were just covering her modesty and that too barely.
The shrug which she had worn over the top was nowhere in sight.
‘’ Pinkie!’’ was all her sister could gasp in shock as Pinkie fell into Molly’s arms and let out a heart
rending howl. She would say nothing but cling to her sister and continue crying. Molly dragged her
inside. ‘’ Pinkie, what happened? It is okay, whatever it is, its gone now. Stop crying.’’
Hugging her sobbing younger sister, Molly’s mind was racing. What could have happened? It was
evident from her sister’s traumatized condition that the entire episode of her meeting with Rahul
had been far from pleasant. Shuddering, she let her sister cry for some more time and then shook
her hard. It was not the time to tell I told you so but her sister was doing the job for her. She kept
saying to herself: ‘’ I should have listened to you, Molly. I should have listened to you.’’ Molly had to
know what happened. It was fairly obvious that Pinkie had managed to escape with her honor
intact, a fact for which Molly thanked God profusely.
She shook her sister gently.’’ Pinkie, don’t worry. You are safe now. Just tell me what happened. We
will need to take action and go to the police as soon as possible.’’ Pinkie started crying harder than
ever. She was convinced that whatever had happened was her fault, she had seduced Rahul, no one
would believe that he had tried to rape her and she wanted to die.
‘’ Pinkie, listen to me. Your only fault was that you were foolish, extremely stupid but that does not
mean you were wrong. You have learnt your lesson. But what Rahul tried to do to you was a crime
and he needs to be punished. You cannot keep quiet about this. You did not listen to me then, listen
to me now and tell me what happened.’’ Somewhat encouraged by her elder sister’s wise words,
Pinkie gave a vivid account of the disastrous night. Molly grabbed her handbag and stood up. She
grabbed a shawl and put it around her sister.
‘’ Come with me, we are going to the cops.’’she said, between gritted teeth. ‘’ I will have that man put
behind bars if that is the last thing I ever do.’’ The sisters drove to the police station
Part 4
‘’ Hahahahaha,’’ laughed the police office on duty, as he took a good look at Pinkie after Molly had
removed her shawl and narrated the entire incident.’’ Madam, are you sure that this is case of
attempted rape? It looks more like some self induced melodrama to me. Don’t mind madam, but
you ladies are always up to some theatrics. ‘’

4. ‘’ What you do mean, sir?’’ snapped Molly angrily, as she put an arm around her sister to comfort
her. ‘’ Can’t you see the horrible condition that my sister is in? That brute tried to rape her. What
more proof do you need? How can you call it some melodrama? I will report you to the senior
authorities for breach of duty if you don’t write our report. ’’ Beside her, Pinkie stiffened in her
chair and resisted the urge to cry.
She had known it would be like this. No one would believe her. It was her fault and now the entire
episode would be out in the open.
‘’ Don’t forget that you are speaking to an on duty police officer madam. Okay, I admit it was
attempted rape. Still, there are many factors which need to be considered. What was your sister
doing out so late and why had she gone to such a lonely spot in the first place, with a man she barely
knew ? How can you be sure that it was not her suggestion, rather than the guy’s? The next thing to
consider is her attire. Look at the top she is wearing. It is leaving nothing to the imagination,
madam. You ladies wear revealing outfits, seduce men and then shout rape. I am sure things soured
between them and your sister decided to get her revenge in this way.’’
Pinkie clutched the table top to keep from fainting. Molly stood up and faced the officer squarely : ‘’
With all due respect to your profession sir, I suggest you hand over you uniform and resign from
the police department. The first thing which you did instead of writing a crime report was to laugh
at and ridicule my sister who was a victim. I ask you, sir, imagine yourself in my place. How would
you feel if your sister had been a victim of violence and no one believed you?
You speak of my sister staying out late. Sir, you speak so confidently as if women perfectly safe ,
which they are not! You mentioned my sister’s revealing attire. But then even traditional dresses
can be worn suggestively, don’t you think? The bottom line is sir, you are a man and that is why the
word rape comes to your mind so easily. But let me assure you, I will not spare the bastard who
destroyed my sister. I feel sorry for your family, sir, pardon my saying so. You are nothing but a
spineless coward!’’ The officer was left staring open mouthed at the bold young lady. Her last
sentence had hit home and he was left bereft of words.
With the last parting shot, Molly led her sister out to the car and drove her home. She put Pinkie to
bed and stayed awake all night. Her sister’s look of despair haunted her all night.
Part 5
The next day, Molly was up early. Pinkie was still sleeping when the door bell rang. Figuring it to be
the milk man or newspaper man for the monthly bill, she answered the door and was surprised to
find a tall, good-looking young man with his eyes partially bandaged.
‘’ Yes ?’’ she asked , politely, wondering who he was. To her amazement, the man broke past her
and entered the drawing room, taking a seat on the sofa. ‘’ Hey, where are you going? Who are
you?’’

5. She entered hastily after him, concerned about her sister’s safety. The guy gave her a scornful look.
“ You still need my official introduction, didn’t your darling sister give brief you about me?’’he
sneered. Rahul! Now it dawned on her.
Suppressing her emotions and resisting the urge to murder him, she spoke coolly: ‘’ I see, you are
Rahul. Well since it gives neither of one us the pleasure to meet the other, what brings you here?’’
Rahul’s lips twisted in an evil smirk:’’ You are smarter than your sister and prettier too. Well, if you
want to know, that fat headed police officer wrote down your complaint against me about
attempted rape on your holier than thou sister. He was apparently moved by your speech on
morality and respect to women. The thing is I want you to withdraw the report. And if you are
wondering how I know so much and your house location, I had gone to the police station before
you. While you were there, I was sitting in the next room. ‘’
Molly knew that she was up against a formidable opponent. Forcing herself to speak calmly, she
said, ‘’ Consider yourself lucky that I am talking to you in a civilized manner after your behavior
with my sister. The question of withdrawing the police complaint does not arise. I will not rest till I
see you behind bars, Rahul. That is where you should be.’’
‘’ Look, let bygones be bygones. I admit I got a little carried away since Pinkie looked so pretty that
day and don’t you think I have paid for it too? Your savage little wildcat of a sister almost blinded
me with her claw like nails. That is why I had gone to the police station but the fools did not pay any
heed.’’
Molly stood up. It was time to end the interview. Pinkie would be waking up soon and Molly wanted
Rahul to leave before that: ‘’ I heard whatever you had come to say, Rahul. Now if you have nothing
further to add, I suggest that you leave.’’
The villain’s face hardened:” don’t say that you were not warned, Molly. Pinkie was lucky, once.
Your precious sister may not be able to escape the next time.’’ He left as fast as he had come.
Molly heard Pinkie calling her and ran to see what she wanted. Making her a cup of herbal tea, she
sat beside her sister: ‘’ There is some good news. Our complaint has been written down.’’
Pinkie sipped at her tea and looked quizzically at Molly: ‘’ Had anyone come? I thought I heard
voices?’’
Quick as thought, Molly replied: ‘’ Oh, it was just the television. You take rest. We will need to visit
the police station soon.’’
Part 6
‘’ Why are you going into court hassles, madam?’’ asked the police officer who had laughed at them
the previous day. It had been three weeks since the incident . Molly had been busy consulting

6. lawyers on her sister’s behalf. Today suddenly there was a call from the police station that Rahul
was willing to compensate for the damage he had caused, in an out of court settlement.
Molly smiled wryly, as she glanced at Rahul. He looked totally spic and span in blue jeans and a
green shirt, almost like the friend her sister had been so in love with. It was hard to picture that he
was the same guy who had attempted to rape his friend and then threatened her sister with dire
consequences. Pinkie was almost back to normal by now. She still had nightmares sometimes but
Molly had been taking her to trauma counseling with an expert therapist.
Pinkie was sitting by her sister’s side and she too looked Rahul straight in the eye. The dreadful
night flashed before her eyes but there were numerous chat sessions and phone conversations
before that when he had said how much he loved her. The movie date was also something to be
cherished forever. If only those horrible scenes could be deleted! She thought.
Rahul smiled at both sisters. ‘’ How much should I pay you?’’ he took out his cheque book.’’ Or
should I write a blank cheque? I know what I did to you was unforgivable Pinkie and we can never
be friends. But trust me, I honestly regret it now. I don’t know what got into me.’’
Molly was about to snap at him angrily when Pinkie put a restraining hand on her arm and looked
directly at Rahul;’’ I don’t want your money, Rahul.’’
‘’ What?’’ Rahul thought he had not heard her correctly. Molly was the one who was speechless.
This time, she was staring at her younger sister, who seemed to have grown up at long last.
Pinkie went on calmly, ‘’ You heard me right, Rahul. I don’t want your money. Just give me one
thing.’’ Everyone in the room, her sister, the police officer and even Rahul were listening with rapt
attention.
‘’ Anything, Pinkie, I will give you anything at all. Just ask me.’’ Rahul replied eagerly. You could see
from his face that he truly regretted his previous diabolical deeds. For a moment, he looked just like
the merry eyed boy Pinkie had fallen madly in love with.
‘’ Return my rights, Rahul.’’ Spoke Pinkie calmly, as both the police officer and Rahul exchanged
amazed glances and Molly smiled at her sister.
‘’ You heard me, Rahul. I want my rights back, from you. Ever since the police complaint, this
episode has been out in the open. Newspaper reporters have hounded my sister and me at college,
on the road and even there were calls at home. My life has become a living nightmare. Everyone
wanted to know why I was out so late. What exactly happened to me, the difference between rape
and attempted rape. I could not go out anywhere or even sleep in peace, Rahul. I have lost my
rights as a civilized human being of the society the day you tried to ravish me. I have lost the right
to go out on my own, I have lost the right to wear jeans, I don’t even have the right to go to a movie
late with friends. What is my fault I ask in all this, just the fact that I trusted and loved you?

7. Relatives express concern over my marriage which means that I have lost the right to be a wife as
well. Placing my trust in you took away all my rights, Rahul. So I ask you, if you are truly sorry as
you say, can you return my rights to live and laugh peacefully? This is what I want- for you to return
my rights.’’
The End
Message : Never take something from someone which you cannot return.
Riya Dutta 18th November Tuesday 2.28 IST