There was an issue with the water pump and the owner sent the plumber. To open the lock of the pump house, the plumber has to keep a cycle aside. The plumber repaired the pump and went back.
After an hour, I saw some messages on the apartment’s WhatsApp group that said, ‘Whoever has kept the cycle this way, close to my car, should keep it correctly’. I opened the door and was going down to keep the cycle correctly because the plumber had come to repair my pump.
A man was out on the stairs; I asked if the car was yours… Only this. And he started using slang and slapped me, saying that …that’s your cycle; you have done this several times.
When others in the building arrived downstairs, he started making false accusations. Also, he was threatening to kill and bury us(me and my roommate) in the ground. He was drunk.
He harassed us badly. The ladies in this building were pushing me to file a police complaint. But my parents refused and advised me to stay quiet, knowing that he is not a renter here but a permanent resident.
I feel helpless, isolated, scared and guilty too; that’s why I didn’t hit him back. I couldn’t because he was older than me and we have been taught that we should not raise our hands on anyone. I understand whatever I’m feeling is because of personal ego. Nothing of such things has ever happened to me, nor did I expect anything like this.
My friends are saying now I’m incapable. The only way to be powerful and survive in society is to earn money so that you can manipulate the system (like in this case, I should be able to bribe the police) or have connections with powerful people. This idea of society doesn’t feel right, too. Is like the one who can fight back is fit to survive here only!
How should I take these? What is the right attitude? Why does Mother allow something to happen to me? I did nothing wrong. What’s the lesson for me here?
Let us not complicate the issue by bringing too many things into consideration. Let us stay focused on the incident. Police, etc., are meaningless here unless it is a real threat. The lesson here, however, is very simple. It is to grow strong and fearless, full of faith. Ask for these things from the Divine and pray that the Divine Mother’s Grace and Protection be with you. Try to find your mantra, your personal access code for connecting with the Divine and do it as and when required, especially in distress and danger.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
