Title: Roaches and Leeches
It was past midnight, on Saturday, when she finally completed the task unjustly assigned to her.
She recollected the time when she had resisted her manager’s advances. She should have complained, but her career was at stake.
He was seeking revenge.
She switched on the kitchen lights and caught a congregation of her worst enemies by surprise. Cockroaches.
She prepared to flee, but…
Weren’t they just mute creatures, scavenging for food? Unlike humans who scavenged on helpless subordinates.
If innocent animals scared her, how would she confront her tormentors?
She picked a cola from fridge.
“Darr ke Aage Jeet Hai!”
I threw open the curtains in panic, the ruckus at the window was intolerable. Monkeys. From the nearby thickets.
A little one banged at the kitchen window, it was the cutest being I had ever seen. Could I offer him something to eat?
As if on cue, he pointed towards the strung onions. Monkeys and onions?
But the little Vanara smiled, “Like an onion, peel by peel.”
I woke up with a jolt. No monkeys. A dream, but…
The Onion analogy, avenging my hurt and uncovering his prejudice step by step.
And the Vanara?
Was Hanumanji guiding my way?
As I awoke from the uncanny dream, the sunlight gently poured in. I felt blessed. A melodious tweet rang across. I walked to the birdfeed. There she was, a blue bird declaring the arrival of spring and new beginnings.
I knew it was time. I had made up my mind. My self-respect and career were at stake.
And I wouldn’t sacrifice both.
I wrote. My first blog, My War Cry.
For all of us living in fear of two-faced predators.
The bird chirped, as I began unmasking my offender’s ambidexterity, his double standards.
The Pen was mightier than the Sword.
My blog had created quite a stir at workplace, I was summoned to the manager’s cabin.
He threatened to file a defamation case, and I flashed my phone.
“I lit a spark, it spread like wildfire. Here are emails from a dozen women supporting me.
With evidence. Our lawyers will call you.” I finally showed him some teeth.
I walked out, I’ll take him down, peel by peel.
I retired for the night, but was it my colleague fluttering at the window?
“Here!” She handed me gift boxes.
Unboxing, I read her message.
“NO MORE FEAR, OF ROACHES OR LEECHES.”
