Posted:
On special request from our forum member ShanayaShaleen.Hope u like it,dear!😳
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'Mom please...' Shanaya begged.
'No Shanaya.I asked your father and he flatly refused.And I agree with him.You can't go.' her mother replied firmly.
'But why not? All my friends are going.Its just a Diwali party' whined Shanaya.
'All your 'new' friends are going.The ones we still don't know about.As far as I know Payal, Reena and Sheetal don't know a thing about this party.And they didnt seem to think much about this new lot you seem to hang out with these days,' her mother told her pointedly.
Shanaya was furious that her mom had been talking to her old friends behind her back and they let her down.'They are just jealous of my new cool group' she thought angrily.
Just then her father walked in and Shanaya began her plea with him.
He too sternly refused to hear anything.'Its Diwali and I don't want anyone to have a bad day.But you cannot go.Diwali is supposed to be spent with family.I dont have a good feeling about this thing you want to go to.' he said with finality.
Shanaya stormed off to her room and slammed the door shut.Hot tears of anger ran down her cheeks.She couldn't beleieve her parents wouldn't allow her to go a simple fireworks display with her friends.Just then she got a call on her mobile.It was Trish.'Hey girl,ready? We'll pick you up in half an hour.' Shanaya wiped her tears.She wasn't sulking the rest of the evening in her room alone.She was going out.'I'll meet you around the corner,Trish.'
She quickly washed her face and slipped on the Diwali dress she had bought so excitedly.She put on lots of make up but she looked really pretty.She looked like an Indian princess.
She then sneaked out of her house when her parents were busy in another room of the house.
She felt very excited at the upcoming event but at the corner of her heart she also felt a bit guilty at leaving home without telling her parents.She feared what her parents to say when they found out she had gone without their permission. She had always been an obedient good girl.But lately she was feeling stifled at her parents strictness.She wanted to make her own decisions and live her life her way.And her new friends were teaching her how to.She tried to put away her guilt and fear and focussed on her fun outing.
A red car with blaring rock music screeched to a stop near her. Her gang was here.
She waved happily at them.But her face fell when they all burst out laughing at her.She then noticed why.They were all dressed to go clubbing.They were laughing at her lehenga and bangles.
But didn Trish say it was a Diwali party and fireworks? Her cheeks flamed with embarassment.
One of the burly guys spoke up,'Chill guys! This is even better, dont u think?' he winked at the group.They burst into more laughter.He then leaned and opened the front seat door for her.
Nervously Shanaya got into the car and they drove off.
The group chatted happily all the way.Something didnt sit right with Shanaya.The girls were very skimpily dressed.They were always very hip but today the hipness was not cool.They looked very cheap.There was a strange smell too around them and they looked too giddy and happy.She tried to talk to some but they ignored her.She was disturbed by their behaviour.There was some sort of anticipation around like somethings's gonna happen.
She then noticed there were outside of the town and it was too dark outside.Shanaya was beginning to worry now.The evening wasn't going as she had imagined.
The then arrived at what seemed to be a farmhouse.But it was very dark there.Where was the party?
'Come on,Babes! said another boy putting his arm around her shoulder.She didnt like the touch but unable to say anything she followed him.The group entered the house.Shanaya asked Trish,'Where's every one?' She laughed and said,'This is everyone.This is our party.Enjoy,girl!'
Hard drinks were brought out and loud music was put on.Trsih begin to seductively danced with a boy and soon others joined.The burly one pulled Shanaya and began gyrating while popping off the cork of a drink bottle.He took a sip and then beginning presing it on her.Shanaya turned her head away violently.She was terrified.
'Let me go,asshole!' she screamed and punched the guy.He pulled off her dupatta.
'Hey!Wait! Let me on the camera' screamed a guy and others hooted.
'Hurry guys! The facebook page is loaded with comments screaming for the latest 'episode'' snorted a girl.
Facebook page? thought Shanaya.Then the horrible truth dawned on her.She was stuck among the creators of a terrible secret Facebook page.The Score Card Page.Young gullible girls were taken on a first date and then forced or coaxed 'all the way'by the boys in this group.It was the job of girls like Trish to trap such simple girls into hipness and coolness.This was all recorded on devices and put on display on the page.No complaints were made out of fear and shame but the
victims pretty much lost everything.Their dignity, self esteem and even thier future.Shanaya had been warned of it but it was all still a myth for many like her.She began to cry.
Suddenly the door was kicked open and a man barged in.The group was shocked.He pulled off the burly guy off Shanaya and punched him in the face.He began bleeding from the mouth and nose.The other boys attacked the newcomer but he beat up them too.Shanaya quickly switched on the lights.The newcomer was Shaleen.Her father friend's son.
She had always had a crush on him.But he was very unaware of her.He was a happy go lucky guy mostly liked to chill out with his friends and didnt seem to mix with girls much.She was now ashamed that he had to see her this way.
Soon the police came and arrests were made.Shanaya was saved.Shaleen had saved her honour and life.
She stood shivering to one side as her statement was taken.Shaleen stood with her which was comforting.He then led her out towards where his bike was parked.
'How did you get here?' she managed to ask him.
'I saw you get into the car with that goon.I followed you here.What were you thinking,Shanaya?' he asked his voiced raised.'I never thought you'd ever be interested in parties like these.And I'm sure your parents don't know you are here.' She hung her head in shame.
Softening a bit he said,'you must learn to judge people better,Shanaya.Don't just carried away by mindless modernity.You are such a decent and good girl,Shanaya'
It was heartening to hear him say that.He climbed onto the bike and looked at her.
He took off his jacket and offered it to her.She silently wore it.
She too climbed on the back seat.
They rode home in silence.All over families were happily celebrating Diwali night and the sky was strewn with gay bright firework lights.
There was light in Shanaya's heart too as she snuggled closer to the man she adored so much.
And Shanaya had learnt a very important lesson and possibly forged a new friendship too.
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