Story Untold

Sara and I were catching up for a cup of coffee in a CCD nearby, Both of us being social workers,started discussing about various social menaces and the conversation seemed unending...Somehow the topic came across a recent event that occurred in our God's own country.The Newspaper heading was : Three- year old girl kidnapped and raped.  As I was throwing my anger and frustration on this incident, I noticed Sara sitting numb, without uttering a word. I could see her eyes becoming moist. With trembling lips she told me her story. 

"I am Thirty-two now and has a successful career, loving kids and a caring husband. It has taken me years to spill out my story like this". 

Her next sentence caught my breath

"I was emotionally and sexually abused by my uncle from childhood to adolescence"

"You know Maria, my own uncle who is like my father, did that to me. 

"I still remember, It was my ninth birthday. I was so happy wearing my little pink frock, Mom and dad were busy serving guests and I was jumping around here and there. I saw him coming towards me with a big present. He wished me and gave me a kiss on my cheek.Slowly he carried me upstairs and locked the door. He asked me open the present, it was a dress, but I didn't like it and he asked me wear and show it to him. I said no and he forcefully removed my frock, I stood there shocked without any movement. I don't want to remember Maria, what all he did to me".

"I have told my story to myself a hundred times , but I never had the guts to tell anyone else until now. I don't know why I am telling you, but I feel I should.

Life had changed in a flash after that incident for me. He was continually using me until I was twelve". Maybe the hatred to him was taking another form inside me.

Whenever I close my eyes at night all I hear is "No one is going to believe you , Don't tell this to anyone, If mom knows about this, what her kid has been doing she would die" he would say with a creepy smile to me. 

I was crying out,looking for help but nobody was really listening.Whom would I say all these! I had no one to save me. I was up all night crying to God asking why did he make me so bad?? 

When I was Twenty-three I went to my so called uncle's home and he was on his death bed.When I entered that room my mind was filled with rage, anger and hatred. I don't know what happened to me all of a sudden, seeing him lying there helplessly on bed, I had nothing else but sympathy. 

He opened his eyes and looked at me with pleading eyes, I couldn't bear more of it in my mind. I finally said , I forgive you for all you did to me and rushed out of the room. As I was out on the road I could see the clear blue sky above me, I felt like my anger and hatred rained out of my mind and all I felt was Peace.......

Sara ended her story with a tear or two rolling down her eyes. I couldn't say anything to her, just hugged her and both of us walked out of the shop. 

As we were out of CCD, I turned back and looked at the CCD logo that read something like this ... 

‘A lot can happen over a cup of coffee’  

Sara did cry her heart out in front of me and yes a lot did happen that day!!!