Invisible String

the string is brave

Listen, Aniruddh fat shamed you during the break. So, I suggest what you do is, after this lecture, during the next break, tell him to stop this shit. In front of everyone. Let others know that this won't be tolerated. And it shouldn't happen again. If you feel afraid to do so, I'll back you up. I'll take the stand with you. But please...this isn't okay.

I folded it and gave it to Sakshi.
A few minutes later, she gave me the chit back with something written on it. I had the feeling that she was going to retaliate and say, "Mind your own business." But my eyes teared up as I read.

Yeah...I was thinking about that right now. Last time when someone fat shamed me, I broke down. It was just last week. In the class. I don't know if you are aware. No one was there to support or push me to stand up for myself. But thank you so much, dude. I needed this. I'll take the stand. Love, love ❤.

I folded it and put it in my pouch.
I'm keeping this forever

The two hours never felt as long as they are now. I did write the notes the teacher gave us, but my mind kept dwelling and rewinding that incident. I was somewhat scared for what might happen during the break. What if it backfired?
Two hours later, the teacher exited the room and while everyone was keeping their books aside and talking to their friends faintly about how sleepy they were, Sakshi stood up. I braced myself.
Be the lady you needed when they bullied you. Be there for another woman.

"Can you repeat what you said to me during the break?" Sakshi asked Aniruddh in a low voice, but firmly.
"What'd I say?" He asked her.
"Look, you and I, we both know what you did. So you either admit it now or I'm gonna have to raise my voice so everyone can hear."
At this point, a few heads had turned towards them.
"I don't know. I didn't even say anything." He scoffed shamelessly.
"Aniruddh...I'm asking you again for the last time. REPEAT WHAT YOU SAID TO ME." Her voice had raised.
It's time. Back her up, Aabha.

"Dude, she's asking you very nicely. So, just say it again." I stood up and said resolutely.
"I say it again...I did not do anything." He said and proceeded to leave his place and make his way to the door. Probably trying to make an escape. He knew what was coming.
Sakshi went after him and blocked his way, signalling him to walk on the wooden platform.
He silently did that.
"What do you think of yourself, huh?" She asked him loudly grabbing everyone's attention.
"What?" There was no shame on his face.
"Hey, look, we all know you fat shamed her and racialized me. So just admit the fact that you're just a big-ass douche." I said while walking to the platform. A few eyebrows raised.
Plot twist.
"So what? You weren't giving me my ball back." He said.
"Let's test your balls when we soon kick them." I said and rolled my eyes. A few giggles could be heard.
"What's happening?" Aniruddh's friend, Bhavish entered the room and stood beside Aniruddh.
"Bhavish, you don't know what's happened. So, stay out of it, please." I said annoyedly.
"Please, calm down." He asked us.
"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN OR ELSE I'LL THROW A FUCKING DESK AT YOUR FACE." She yelled so loud, the voice echoed and the class fell silent. I looked at her in awe.
They name cannons, storms, warships after a woman for a reason. THIS is the reason.
"Who the fuck gave the right to have a say in the matter of our bodies?" I looked at Aniruddh and shouted at him, "You think cracking jokes about someone's body and racializing them is very cool and funny and makes you seem humorous, well, NO. It just shows how cheap you are."
"True. He always is passing comments on people's looks and shit. I've noticed a lot." Naina stood up and said.
"Aabha, I've apologised to you okay? So you go away." He rolled his eyes.
His shamelessness was probably what made my voice reach its highest note possible, "OH MY GOD! I'M SO SORRY I FORGOT YOU APOLOGISED! An apology doesn't erase the mistake you fucking fool. 'Sorry' means you regret doing something. Which you clearly don't. It's showing."
He stayed silent.
"People starve themselves because of your shitty jokes. Even after this, you'd continue all this stuff. I know that. I know you're a big jerk. And I'll wait for the next time. This time, we're just yelling. The next time...we won't keep our hands still. Keep that carved on your mind in fucking bold letters." I roared at him.
My legs were shaking and my voice was breaking in between. I was scared. Scared to the core. I didn't know why. I just was. This was the first time I had stood up against this. I tried my best to stifle the fright. I wouldn't let it show.
I couldn't let it show.
I knew Sakshi was afraid too.
But no one expects an angel to set the world on fire. Women could have tears in their eyes and still stake a dagger through someone's heart. Female rage can make the bravest man's heart tremble.
"You men think we'll tolerate this shit. I don't even make you pay for the food I eat, then how fucking dare you say that about me? It wouldn't take me two seconds to drag you outta here and take to the office. And it wouldn't take two second for Sir to ring up your parents and have you suspended for this. So don't you dare try to down-play us." She folded her hands and glared at him.
"God, you all are monstrous."
"Then kneel down and apologize for making us into one." I screamed at him.
Students from other batches had gathered at the doorway.
Aniruddh exited the room.
Sakshi looked at me with tears in her eyes.
The spectators soon dispersed and a few minutes later the class went back to normal.
People were whispering about us.
After this, I would be known as someone who shouted and screamed and made a scene.
And I was okay with that, for the first time.
At least it wouldn't be 'The girl who kept her mouth shut. Sat still and looked pretty.'
When a lady stands up for herself, she stands up for all the women who were made to shut up when they had something to say. When they wanted to defend themselves and gracefully project their anger.
When they decided to not let anyone steal their dignity from them.

When women support other women, incredible things happen.
Like today.
I knew this thing wasn't going to stop completely. But at least it would stop till some extent. Maybe just in our class or probably the grade, considering the amount of spectators. But it would. And I was glad I had contributed a little to that.

"That was something really fiery what you both did up there." Keshav said to me as I returned to my bench.
"Well, someone had to do it. It was getting worse. We couldn't let him do that to some other girl again." I told him.
"True." He smiled at me and resumed eating his food.
"I'm proud of you." Naina said to me.
"I know. Thank you." I smiled and stole a nutella toast from her tiffin box.
She rolled her eyes and chuckled.

I was proud of myself too.
Everything lies on the other side of fear.
Everything.