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The Utmost Fear

Published : Thursday, 14 June, 2018 at 12:00 AM  Count : 547
Towhid Islam Khan
The day was exhausting; the sun shone the way as if it had a secret grudge against human beings. They had an important conference on 'Literature in Today's Social Context'; each one of them had to present a significant portion of an entire paper. Their serial came almost at the end of the session which made them wait longer than they actually did -- psychologically.
They were three in the group. Tanisha took the opportunity to be the first presenter. Sadnan and Himel covered the body, followed by Rashed who drew an applause-grabbing conclusion. It could have been the end of an exhausting day. Fortunately, or unfortunately, their day had just started.  
Since all of them loved walking, they wanted to go little farther from the urban crowd (though to reach such a place, they had to rent a taxicab). They prepared themselves for a long walk between the row of large trees and beneath the sky which is clearer than the city. It was still half an hour left before the sun sets.
Usually, Tanisha's parents become worried if she doesn't reach home after the evening's Azan. They keep calling her in every five minutes till they see her face entering the house. Her entrance changes the environment because of her laughter. For some special occasions, she is allowed to be outside till nine o'clock at night.
Boys love night; they want to spend more time with friends at night than they do in the day. Sadnan, Himel and Rashed are no different. Under their influence, Tanisha also tries to hang out more time in the evening; she sometimes attends evening show at Cineplex and goes to Shilpakala or Robindro Shorobor.
These youngsters had no problem with darkness; rather they were quite fond of the night and its hidden beauty. They walked far from the urban crowd, noise, building, dirt and dust. They wanted to enjoy a peaceful moment under the enormous open sky.
They were lucky to have a glimpse of those bright stars twinkling up in the sky. The road became quiet after half an hour and they were enjoying the nature.
Instead of going straight, they took a path on the left which is not made of concrete, but of soil and grass. It was naturally quiet and the moon showed their way. Wooden trees were more visible than the grass by the sides of the narrow road.
Perhaps nature really has some healing powers as Wordsworth said. Usually, we tend to go home and search our beds for relaxation after a working day. Sadnan, Tanisha, Himel, and Rashed would have done the same if they hadn't been in such a place. They found a new meaning of life in nature.
Tanisha could sing beautifully; she was the only singer of the group. So, whenever there was any occasion, others insisted and forced her to sing. She had to sing that day too; she started with 'Tomar Khola Hawa', 'Akashe Helan Diye' and ended with 'Megh Boleche Jabo Jabo'.
Time flies like a flying Jet, especially good times. At 7:30pm, Tanisha told others that they need to move on because it was getting late. But the boys wanted to stay little longer. Rashed said, "You are always on a rush. Whenever we go somewhere, you tell in every thirty seconds 'let's go home, let's go home'."
"It's because I have to," Tanisha replied, "Ma worries if I am late. She says that it's not safe for a girl to stay outside at night. You won't understand because you won't have to explain anything while you reach home. You boys will go home, no matter how much late, and find your dinner on the dining table.
But, I have to explain first why I am late, and then Ma would scold me. After that, I may cry, depending on how much I am scolded, and then I won't have my dinner."
Sadnan said, "Calm down. We boys have parents too. Anyways, it really is getting late. It will take more than one and a half hour to get home. Let's go today; we can come again later."
Himel was directing towards the way where they have left their rented cab. After walking for a while, they have found the cab, but there were some weird looking fellows standing there, staring at them. When they came closer, the first thing that they noticed was blood on the cab driver's shirt.
It didn't take much time to realise that the cab driver was beaten by those fellows. It struck them. They could not understand why people would beat any poor driver like that. Before they could solve the mystery, those fellows came as close as they could come. Those fellows wore lungi and t-shirt; they were six in number, each of them was carrying a three feet long wooden stick. One unusually fat and dark-skinned man was holding a bloody stick.
He had a cold smile on his face, making him look cruel. He fixed his bloodshot and drunk eyes on Tanisha's feet at first and then moved upward. Tanisha felt like an ugly and skinny snake is crawling over her whole body. She was half dead by fear, shame and irritation. She looked helplessly as well as hopelessly on her friends' faces.
The man suddenly grabbed Tanisha's right hand. She almost collapsed from utmost fear. Her mind was flashing with all the torture, rape and murder articles she had read in newspapers. On that moment, she could remember one of her own childhood embarrassments too.
She was eleven. Her physical features weren't much different than any of the boys of her age. She used to play almost all sorts of sports that are common among the children. One evening, while her mother was outside buying groceries, an old beggar came and asked for food.
After she told him that her mother wasn't at home, the beggar wanted to wait. While waiting, he was asking various questions to Tanisha and kept his fingers on her chest; the old wretch kept moving his hands over her back and chest. Little Tanisha had to suffer this for few minutes.
While Tanisha was lost in her childhood memory, the man, who had caught her hand, was saying, "Sister, don't be scared. We are not tigers. I may look little fat and scary. Still, you can believe my words. Tell your friends to hand their mobile phones, wallets and watches, including yours. We will do you no harm if you listen to me."
They did as the man said. Then they were told to enter the cab; the driver was instructed to drive slowly until they reach the main road. Before letting them go, one of the odd-looking fellows said, "We are the guardians of this place. It's now safe because we are here.
We have family and we respect our guests. When it was Talal Miya's property, it was dangerous. Remember one thing. Don't come at such places at night. Not all men are nice."
Tanisha thought it was good advice.               

The writer is studying at Department of English, East West University


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