Monday, December 28, 2009

Chennai Stalkers Inc.

Something happened today.I am confused as to how I should classify it-it was equally funny and harassing as well.And every girl in India or I must specify, Chennai would have more than one first hand experience like this.
I was at Kilpauk. I had some work near Pachayyappa's College, and after I was done with it, I was walking to the bus stop, when Mr Hunk comes by. Now I wouldn't call myself very very great looking, but I can look reasonably good when I want to, and today was NOT one such day. You can picture me, after 8 hours of college and 2 hours of travel. My hair was a mess and with smudged eye make up, I was looking pretty yuck. I was wearing normal clothes-denims and a white kurta, AND a stole. I mean, how 'provocative' could that be?? I'm explaining in detail because I'm trying to analyze what makes these guys act so weird at times.
So this guy comes along in his bike.I think it was a Bajaj Splendor. He had this unshaven look (turn-off No.1),dirty clothes (turn-off No.2) and well..turn-off No.3 is something that Im unable to find words to explain..maybe I should say his demeanor was sort of..scary. Whatever.
This guy drives his bike close to the pavement, and says,
"Excuse me,miss..miss".
The goose that I am, I stop and turn and say,
"Yes?".
Hey, I thought he wanted directions!
So he goes,
"Can I drop you?"
I mean, he said that!Just like that!! No I did not make eyes at this character. I did not even look at this guy!!
But with politeness that I cannot rid myself off, especially in such occasions, I say,
"No, Thanks" and continue walking.
But hey, we are persistent, aren't we?
The guy drives his bike at speeds ranging from 10kmph to 40kmph (It was varying proportionately with my walking speed), he multitasks.
Driving,Smiling and saying,
"Please ya, let me drop you ya, please ya" (repeat repeat repeat)
Now, I'm afraid and humoured and frantic and scared I'll burst out laughing. Oh, AND I'm looking beseechingly at any human being in the vicinity who is a spectator to this scene. Unfortunately, they were all men. You cannot get any help there. And any girl will vouch for this too.
I stop and tell the guy, "See.I DONT want a lift!!!"
And I amaze myself at how demurely I said that. I have a dictionary of swear words that I have picked from my brother and when I needed them, I went blank!!
It reached the next level, where he goes like,
"Please ya, I beg you ya, please, Im begging you"(repeat repeat repeat)
This tiny voice in my head, also called the female intuition, is asking me to run. But where??Then the one way road proves a blessing. I turn 180 degrees and walk away, to fading yells of "Please ya,come ya".
PHEW!!
I call my brother and the moment he hears me stuttering and stammering he arrives quicker than usual, and only when I sit on the bike, I feel safe.
This might seem humourous, I meant it to be that way. But as I sit and type, I realise that a lot of other things could have happened too. This is not a take on the stalkers of Chennai. Or on some characters who seem to achieve some sort of gratification in giving lifts to unknown females who don't want them. It is more of a voice to the mute spectators who stand and watch while these things happen, and sometimes, they keep watching until it is too late. They have this notion that, when they don't know the harassed party, they don't need to bother. Wrong notion. Next time you do see something similar, Do speak up!! Who knows, you might become some distressed damsel's hero :)

5 comments:

Sandhya Iyer said...

Speak up :P LOL!
You should've not stopped in the first place :D Dodo! Good luck with the next stalker!
It was funny though.. Sounds more like Miss miss I want to piss :P
I was in an auto with a drunk driver too!
:D

Someday's dreamer said...

First off, I'm very proud of the way you dealt with this da !!! Be more careful though !!!!!
Men who get such weird pleasures like this are sick and unfortunately, too many, no only should we speak up for others who we see getting harassed but we should also speak out and try make a BIG difference here.
Awesome write up machan !!!

arun said...

lol ..I am not sure whether u intended this to be
humorous but that 'please ya " thing was damn funny ...and in a way u r right about those who just keep staring and maybe the change got to happen somewhere with our gen x...and thankfully your stalker seems to be harmless ..but anyway do be careful and thanks for peeping into my blog...keep rocking

Anonymous said...

men can be such *&@#@$ sometimes. good thing that dint get all serious. it is really sad that ppl rather mind their own business and not mind into matters when it does matter. the same on going crowd (esp men ) would have reacted totally differently if you had say fallen down and you needed a hand. Ugh .. Men ! surprising to hear that things can happen in broad daylight even in Chennai !

Anonymous said...

This happens in Chennai as well? I thought it was a Delhi thing. Although the guys circle you on bikes (it's never a single guy). :-/