This was something different. One night that saw - a proposal for one.. denial for another.. bachelor party for one.. and jail bars for another..
It was the bachelor party for Priya's marraige. Dreams in her eyes, mehndi, bangles, chains, saree, she looked the bride and all set for marriage, melting away in the arms of her man!!
It was the night when finally Diya had met the man of her dreams..
It was the night when Rathish's dream of marrying Pavithra had been crushed like a castle built in the air..
With mixed feelings all friends set out for a walk, to get fresh air at 1.15 am in the night. It was a 5 min walk. But a walk to remember!! A walk that set marks on everyone of their lives forever!!
Priya, Preethi, Diya, Rathish and Ranjan were singing songs and walking away in bliss.
Music!! The ruffling sounds of leaves against the gentle wind!! Moonlight!! Empty roads!! Street lights!! Stray dogs sleeping by the side of the road!!!
Nothing could have been better!!!
Fate it seems, had better plans for them !!
A jeep came by and stopped in front of them. 10 police officers got down from the jeep and started questioning as to why they were all out. They got nasty cursing the parents for bringing up such irresponsible spoilt brats.
The peaceful night had become a night of terror.
All that was left was.. Panic!!! Fear!!! The seriousness of such a simple act dawned upon them!!
They took away Ranjan into custody. They asked all of them to come to station the next day with their identity cards. And the jeep just disappeared.
If the intentions of the police had really been the safety of the girls, one of them should come till their homes to drop them back. Instead they were asked to report the next day??
The entire world turned topsy turvy and scary in a matter of 2 minutes!!!
Silence.
They walked back home unsure of what to do. All they had done was to go for a walk. In free India.
The great poet Subramania Bharathi said that it was free India only when a girl can walk the roads on the midnight with no fear.
Well, 3 girls walked. With no fear. Was that free India? And an arrest for walking on the roads??
Silence. Injustice. Frustration. Helplessness.
Is raath ki subah nahin??
P.S: Ranjan was released with a fine of Rs.600 and kicks from every boot of the officers who crossed him.
