two-sided room..........

(Door opened) Anir: Ma'am, May I come in?

Rita: Yes! Come in.

Anir: Thank you Ma’am.

Rita: Have a sit.

Anir: Yes Ma’am.

Rita: So, Anir tell me about yourself.

Anir: Myself Anir Sharma from Delhi, an undergraduate in English. I like fashion designing and the creative writing in the real scenario of life. Recently, I exp………..

Interrupting Rita: Okay! Fine….. I won’t ask you how are you here. You too have some personal space and I will respect that. Now, how would you like to change this world?

Anir: Giving equal rights to both girls and boys. A boy may have the dreams of watching the world with variety of colours especially pink. A girl can wear what is wants according to respect and can be late at night for various reasons. For me, I think providing opportunity to both without any discrimination and judgment will someway or other change our world to the bright colours of rainbow.

Rita: Okay….. Good. Do you have any frustration in afterlife?

Anir: Most probably not. After 2 months living in shock I have overcome the fear and anger recently.

Rita: Do you blame anyone for your situation?

Anir: There is nothing to blame they too didn’t know what they had done. I was bedridden for 2 months without any words slowly becoming burden to my parents. I am fine with this new way of afterlife but I feel sorry for my parents as they have never expected that and now losing me have made them lost themselves. But they too have to overcome the grief.

Rita: How have you brought such positivity only within 3 months?

Anir: I was optimistic guy from my childhood. My parents always gave me positivity so I have to be that. It’s a matter of my parents respect after all.

Rita (smiling): Okay! Okay! I have done so many interviews but no one is like you like such a forgiving nature. How can you?

Anir: Time doesn't spare anyone. It is written in Mahabharata that the people who does wrong to others will also get worse in this world itself. There is always both good and bad in this world. The bad happen to me doesn't mean bad for others. Let's pray for their good.

Rita: This is not that world you know.

Anir: Yes Ma'am I know, but ma'am I am sorry can I ask you one question?

Rita: Formally it is not allowed but as you're not like others to whom I had interviewed, all were frustrated thinking of revenge. I will give you a chance. Go ahead.

Anir: How do you here? I know its personal and you also gave me some space but I m bound to ask such a nice person I met in this one month, I can't believe such a thing might happen to you?

Rita (with patience): I have been here since more than 12 years ,due to my husband.

Anir: What?

Rita (smiling): Yes... It is. No worries my husband had paid for his deeds. We met each other in the college and felt in love. I was so madly in loved with him than anyone would do so he took the advantages. Everything was normal we had a great life, me, my daughter, three years old son and my husband. But every night it was like hell. Any mistakes its like I m dragged to death. He abused me like normally it was like love punishment and when I realized it, it was too late. I even couldn't think what was wrong going on. (Rita seeping herself) I tried to killed him but what we have in so-called-society to follow your husband till death had stopped me and stopped me................ I couldn't bear my pain anymore and I left behind............... just a pen, paper and my hanging corpse.

Anir: Have you forgiven him?

Rita: Yes, I did and I m here in this place. The one who leave his past forgive his culprits can only take this seat. And so it's yours now, a young gentleman who sees this place as a victims helping center to overcome their problems even after the life.

Anir: Thank you for the job. I will do my best.

Knock! knock! (Someone opening the door)

Some people coming towards the table and chairs but they couldn't see Anir and Rita.

One lady suits like manager says, "Come I will show you the cloths of the victims wearing, the equipment they were carrying to protect themselves."

Other people following her. It was like a black and white room like museum everywhere mirror with the dresses, accessories of Rape victims.

Lady directing her hands towards a shirt says, "Its a new one just 3 months ago, a boy who was raped by his friend's father, a psychic man and spent 2 months in hospital afterwards he died. I think you all can have enough idea from these. You can also see the baby cloths, Burkha, Saree, paper-spray, rope, etc."

Someone from people, "The condition is getting worse in the society we need some new elements to remove this illness..............."

Lady,"Its just remained words just marching just protesting and at last it takes 8 years and more to get justice so if you really want to do something then................................. I keep this up to you"

(Rita and Anir standing side of the room. Their eyes were red with a pale face staring at those alive people. Behind there are many like both of them, blood strain in cloths, half-burned, marks in faces, dried lips and black teethes...... The old women, fine young working ladies, 12 years girl, muslim woman in Burkha, 10 years old boy, 3-4-5 years girls with toy in her hand, a teacher, party-going girls, and many more............)

Suddenly, News started reporting in the television of the room, " More than 10,000 pending rape cases in the Indian courts. The conviction rate in rape cases in just less than 32%. Each day close to 90 rape cases are reported in India."

It is ironic that rape-crime rates against women are higher in nation where nearly 80% of the population worships Goddess........

I ask a question to all: We celebrate Durga Puja, a greatest Goddess but how many of us mean it?

Inspired by Devi, a short film by the Royal Stag Large Short films, Criminal Justice season 1& 2