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" What? Your brother got raped? I am so sorry, Anjali. But how did this happen? Did you file a complaint?" Every trace of anger escaped from Khushi's eyes as she was enlightened about Arnav's situation which was the reason behind his coldness. Everything seemed justified to her now, and somewhere her heart went out for him, as unknown strings were tugged at with concern.
" It all happened a month back, when Chotte went for an office party. Chotte's senior officer Sheetal Khanna is obsessed for him and Chotte had spurned her advances towards him at various instances but on that unfortunate night...s-she spiked his drink and fulfilled her desires. You are speaking about complaint, Khushi? When nobody is even ready to believe that a man can be raped, how can we lodge a complaint?"
Anjali plunged back into the ocean of sorrow and grief as narrated the incident as tears freely flowed down her cheeks, but the emptiness of her heart and soul just intensified due to helplessness of her situation.
Khushi was stuck in a myriad of feelings; anger at the society for its prejudice; concern for her friend who was crying her heart out; pride on Arnav for not giving up and determination that she would do something for him no matter what it takes, if not for anyone else then for herself.
" Don't worry, Anjali. The culprit of your brother will not escape. She will get her punishment and this is my promise to you. I will seek my NGO Jagruti's help for this, I am sure they will have something to offer for this and with their help, I am sure that we will be able to secure justice for Arnav. Please stop crying. People who have to become strength to others cannot afford to breakdown. I am going right away to Sandhya Ma'am to speak about this." Khushi held Anjali by her shoulders and made her take the seat on the couch, while making her drink water brought for Khushi.
" Thank you so much for understanding, Khushi. Thank you so much. I had lost the hope that anyone would believe this but you proved me wrong. Thanks, Khushi." Anjali spoke in a shaky whisper as tears continued to flow down her cheeks.
"The people who don't believe this are on the wrong side, Anjali. And you don't have to thank me. I am just doing my duty as a friend. I will take your leave now as I have to speak to Sandhya Ma'am. I am sure everything will be alright. Please take care of yourself and Arnav. And if you need anything, anytime, i will just be a call away." Khushi's kind tone and compassionate words had partially restored Anjali's faith on humanity, as a faint smile appeared on her face as she nodded affirmatively.
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" How are you sure that it was not consensual, Khushi? A man getting raped is unimaginable." Sandhya's question had shocked Khushi to the core as she was certainly not expecting this response from the person whom Khushi respected the most.
" What do you mean by unimaginable, Ma'am? Just because he is a man that doesn't mean that he cannot get raped." Khushi's face was lit with determination while her eyes were firmly sharpened and her voice was deep and heavy with shock and pain.
"This might sound a bit absurd to hear, Khushi but since you are demanding for an answer, let us go ahead with it anyway. Are you trying to say that a man was so weak that a woman could overpower him and assault him sexually? Okay, let us consider that he was under the influence of alcohol but unless and until he enjoyed it, the lady whom you are blaming wouldn't get what she wanted."
Uncertainty was what which appeared on Khushi's face as she couldn't get the enjoyment party or rather her heart didn't want to accept her mind was telling her.
" I don't understand what you are trying to say, Ma'am. Please elaborate." Khushi's confused voice and her choice of words made Sandhya sigh deeply at her inability to understand what she was trying to say.
" Khushi, if that guy, what was his name...Ah..Arnav..Arnav didn't enjoy it, then he would not be erect and hence that lady wouldn't get what she wanted. And if you are saying that her desires were fulfilled then it also means that Arnav took part in it and even enjoyed it."
Sandhya's words disgusted her while her insides churned with disgust on the society and its thoughts. It disheartened Khushi that she was standing in front of one of most renowned social workers and she held the same thoughts for male-rape-victims as the society did.
" I am sorry to say this, Ma'am but you let me down greatly. I didn't expect you to think of male-rape-victims in such a bad light. But I will prove you wrong, I will prove this society wrong and I will fetch justice for Arnav no matter what it takes. And don't expect me to come here anytime soon, because the place which doesn't believe in equality and compassion will not see me. Thank you for opening my eyes to your actuality, Ma'am. Good bye."
Khushi got up from her seat while Sandhya called out to her to stop her but it was of no avail. Tears flowed down from Khushi's eyes at her inability to do anything to complete her promise to her best friend. Daggers were being pierced in her heart that she was in a society which cannot see pain due to the preconceived notions which cloud its eyes. Pain of Arnav suddenly felt as her own, as unknown pain tormented her soul. The only person whose face appeared in front of her was that of her brother, who was a criminal lawyer by profession; Shyam Manohar Gupta.
Khushi pulled out her phone from her bag and dialed her brother's number, which was answered in just two rings. Khushi spoke in a shaky voice, chocked with pain and angst,
" Bhaiyya, I need your help. We have a male-rape-victim waiting for justice. Will you help me?"
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I really really hope you all like this! My hands are shivering and that's how nervous I am, because this concept itself was bold and this update had some bold parts which were definitely required but I am afraid of the reception.
Please like and comment, taaki I don't get nervous in the future. *Yeh Chori Badi Drama Queen Hai*
Love,
Yagya
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Ye Hai Mohabbatein
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