After a 3-hour drive, I reached her home.
Her smile was beautiful and persistent, as we conversed about various issues.
And then I saw her smile change. Subdued, tight lipped. Within minutes I saw her eyes swell up with tears, which she was adamant of holding back. By now, I had begun talking about the rape incident.
I quickly changed the topic. I asked her about her work. She smiled. She said, the regional media had earlier shown her minimally blurred visuals on television. "People in office know I have been raped. They had recognised me on TV. They don't talk to me, they only make comments. I go to work, eat my tiffin by myself, catch a bus and return home."
What is the thing you look forward to? I asked. She looked down. After few minutes said, "I want to live a normal life. I want to see my parents, my sister, smile."
I looked at her, intently and asked "do you remember what had happened to you?"
Yes, she said. "I can't forget that. It's my body. There were several men. I was tied several times. I was taken to so many places... for 40 days. I used to be tired and would sleep during the journey because I wouldn't be able to sleep otherwise. I used to be in pain".
"Our child was infected. She couldn't sit, nor stand for days after she managed to return. She was abandoned in a bus after nothing more of her was left." Her mother was crying as she spoke to me. I have never seen her smile. Her mother was crying. Her father was old and worried.
She was raped when she was 16, in 1996. 34 people convicted by the trial court were acquitted by the High Court in 2005. The court had asked, "why didn't she run away."?
I too asked her that question.
She smiled.She was pained.
Where would I run away? How would I run away? I was a child. I was raped so many times.
I remember talking to her. I was evaluating her mental responses, her body language, her communication.
I was sure she was raped. Her conversation, her reactions still bear the brunt.
I remember wondering, "how can someone not trust what she is saying. She lives the horror story."
My story had a become a headline and an exclusive with her interview. I had deliberately kept out PJ Kurien's angle from my story for that day. The Supreme Court had had taken note of my story since Sonia Singh had decided to play up the story at prime time television. Within days, Supreme Court directed the High Court to re-examine the case.The case was reopened. I experienced the power of media, first hand for the first time. I was amazed, and thrilled..She and her family were happy too.
This Friday, on 4th April 2014, the High Court reiterated what I thought. "There is no reason to disbelieve the survivor's statements." the judge said.
24 accused were convicted after 18 years.
But, will we allow her to live a normal life?
I spoke to her yesterday. I could sense her smile over the phone as she said, " I am happy." We both were smiling.
One of her lawyers, was a step ahead of both of us. Anila, was chuckling.
