chapter 13

After coming here I realised living is more difficult than death. It needs more courage to live than die. It was not easy for a single woman with two kids to survive in this narrow minded society. People even judged my breathings.People always like to point out others mistake while saying themselves as perfect. People in my surroundings always asked who is my husband and where is he. My son is ten years old while I'm only twenty eight then when did I got married! If I got married or became pregnant out of wedlock! I didn't understand why they were so interested in my life! I ignored their questions so I became a wild and rude woman, my shop became famous because I'm an woman who seduced people to buy from me. If I were a man they would have said I was a business genius. But I got lucky that was why my business developed, because if I'm an woman then I can't be smart.After that day people always talked about me behind my back and I was silent because it didn't affect me and my work. But now my children are growing and these things are slowly affecting them. I can't stay silent about it anymore. I knew that small warning was enough to create fear among those who talked nonsense about me. But I need to do something to stop their mouth forever."I'm sorry Mrs Shakti, you have to hear all this mean words in my school. This is a small town and here people can't accept other's success easily, and it is even uglier when a single woman with two kids got successful in a short time. So, it's a  obvious thing that people are jealous of you, so please don't mind these silly things" the principal said.The Principal was a good person and he could judge good and bad. He always respected me for my knowledge and ideas.He was also amazed by my language skill. He even once invited me to work in this school without even any degree certificate. But I didn't want to do anything illegal and refused his offer.Also who will want to do a monthly paid job when I can be a business owner."It's alright sir, I understand all this situation but I won't tolerate these things in future. If they continue to behave like this infront of my children, then I won't leave them like today" I said."Are you really going to complain against her? Do you really have recordings?" He asked."Offcourse not, I just wanted to create fear among them. This matter won't stop here, she will definitely gossip about it and those people might won't talk like this freely anymore in fear of going jail" I said and smiled.After that I took my farewell from the school and came back home with Ayush and Anna. Everything was normal but Ayush didn't seem okay. I know he was worried about me.So I asked him "why are you still upset?" "I don't like it mom, when people try to bully you like today" he said.I sat beside him and said "they tried to bully me but they couldn't, mom is very strong and they can't do anything to me"."But mom I want them not to dare  bully you even in their dreams" he said."This will also happen very soon, don't worry mom will become very strong that no one even dare to touch us" I said. "Until then I want God to send someone who can protect us" he said."Why others! Why don't you grow up soon and protect us!" I said."You are right mom but there is still time for that and until then I will pray to God to send someone for us" he said."Nonsense, don't bring such thoughts in your mind. Our family doesn't need anyone. All we have to do is stay strong and face every problem together" I said and hugged Ayush. Yes, all we need is to stay strong and fight for ourselves. I will be an umbrella for you guys, who will protect you guys and will not let any harm to you.After making food and instructing Ayush about it, I went back to work. I know he could manage everything, he would lock the door and won't let anyone in. He would do his homework and will help his sister in her homework. If he has some doubts then he would keep it for me and when I will be back I will help them. Everything was like a normal day but things that happened in school was still bothering me. Ayush now understands everything and it will hurt him if things are going to be like this in future. I have  to do something and I can't let people's word spoil my children's future.While thinking about it I couldn't realise when it became dark and it was already eleven o'clock at night. I used to left work at seven o'clock but on that day I couldn't finish work on time because I had to go school in day time.After night supervision I got ready to go back home. I already called Ayush and told him that I would be late, so they might have fallen asleep. I have another house key and it won't be problem for me to go in but I couldn't give time to my children today. Work load is increasing day by day and if I want to be strong then I need to reach the top. Then no one would able to touch us.While thinking all this I was driving on the empty road towards my house. I was just a few metres away from house and there were noone out but suddenly a man out of nowhere came infront of my scooty and I stroke him. I was surprised and press the sudden break then looked back. With a little light from street light I could only see the man full of blood. I didn't even stroke very hard but why this man is full of blood! Suddenly that man grabbed my hand and I was about to shout but his voice stopped me."Help... P..l..ease.... Help me...." He said and lost his consciousness. I understood that he is in trouble. I called Radhika and she came there with her husband. Radhika's house was only two houses away from mine.His husband said "should we take him to hospital?" But I refused and said "take him to my house".