Unknown Friend

Ashutosh PoV:

I am having pizza in the college canteen with my friends.

"Ashutosh, this is our final year of MBBS. Within 3 months, we are going to give our final exams. Farewell is in next month and we have to rock man!" Artika said taking a bite of my pizza.

"Sure sweet heart, let's rock! Actually I am planning a group dance. It will be fun!"

"No Ashutosh, let's do a romantic bit for farewell" Artika said again.

"Ok ok fine, let's see" I said.

My friends Vishnu, Ahmed, Tina joined us in the discussion about farewell. They were discussing about the party and that's when my eyes cauht something interesting on the TV.

"Rudrani, An Inspiration to all acid attack victims" is the news on TV.

That news attracted me. I heard her answers to the media. Her face was covered with scarf and only her eyes were visible. Her confidence and courage was clearly visible in her words and the unknown pain in her eyes.

"Beautiful" I said and my friends gave me a shocking look.

"What?" All my friends asked in unison.

"Nothing" I said

"How can you even think and feel that an acid attack victim can be beautiful?" asked Vishnu

"Beauty is not something which is visible, it's a feeling to be felt. We can't see air, love etc. They are just felt and are necessary for our life. In the same way, I can feel the beauty in her eyes and words. She is beautiful"

"Oh then go and say you are beautiful to her" Artika said sarcastically.

"Sure, if I get a chance"

"By the way Ashutosh, didn't you ever feel that I am beautiful?", Artika asked me.

I smiled at her question. Girls always feel jealous.

"You are beautiful and interesting too" I said looking that girl in the TV and Artika held her head mimicking a headache noticing that.

Then we went to classes finishing lunch. Evening we went to a gift shop to buy a gift for my friend's birthday. Unexpectedly I saw her in the shop. I can make out its her. Seeing her eyes, I recognised her.

"Ashu, I think we should take this card too" Artika said giving a greeting card to me.

"Nice,choose a gift too" I said and went to greeting cards section and picked a card which had pictures of a child.

I took out my pen and wrote few lines on the card.

"You are beautiful. A girl with courage, determination, self motivation looks beautiful. Only a child has the luck of smiling purely as the child can't understand the dark truths of this world. As you are growing up, thorns may cross your way, but don't give up. Every difficulty makes us more strong. Be a acid attack survivor not a mere victim. You are an inspiration, Go ahead. Keep moving, keep going. All the best.

From,

A friend who expects your success every time"

I chose a gift for my friend and asked a sales boy to give the card to her. I left with my friends before he handovers the card to her.

Rudrani PoV:

I went to a gift shop to buy gift for my sister as it's her birthday. I am checking barbie dolls and a sales man came and gave a greeting card to me.

"What's this?" I asked seriously.

"Madam, that sir asked to give it to you"

I tried looking at him but they left in a car. The smiling face of a kid with a quote on greeting is awesome.

"Be a kid forever as kids never give up walking though they fall several times"

Amazing quote. I opened and read the lines written with a pen. Beautiful lines. Friend?? Who is this friend who is trying to motivate me in my lonely struggle?

I felt all the more happy realising that there was someone who wants me to be a survivor and not a victim. Who sees my inward beauty and wants me to be successful. Oh! How I wish I could see his face atleast to thank him for such an encouragement.

I selected a beautiful doll and went home. As soon as I entered the house, I heard my dad screaming at my mother.

" Why did you send her to the college without my permission? See what she has done ? Look at those people talk. What happened wasn't enough that she started giving interviews and speeches! She is bringing a dishonour to our family's name. "

Then I saw the news. There were clips of my interview and on the side common people were giving their opinions and comments. Many were arguing that I was at fault. Some were telling that I should just stay at home rather than causing a havoc.

"Why is she behaving like that? If she doesn't do anything wrong, why will he attack her with acid? Rumors won't come without any truth" someone said.

How can I make them trust me?

"She already done wrong. Now she is blaming him for her betrayal. It's better for her to sit at home than trying to cover her mistake. She is setting wrong example to all girls"

Oh God! What are these people? I felt as if my life has become a mockery. Anyone just speaks as they want. Who at they to dictate my life.

My eyes were filled up to the brim when I heard a soothing voice.

"No ! Rudrani is right! I am with her. Please don't dishearten that poor child by such annoying comments. We all have the right to live, right to education,... " then I looked up to see a beautiful lady of 50's.

" She is following her dreams and we should support her. She told us the truth. I never understand why society is blaming her instead of fighting for her justic. The culprit must be punished and we should support her to make it happen. Just imagine her as your daughter or sister,you will understand her pain. Stop accusing her with your words. Help her if you can or shut your mouths. Not Rudrani, but people like you who can't see the facts and accuses the innocent must stay at home. Because you people are of no use to this nation or world. But I am sure one day Rudrani will achieve a position where she becomes an inspiration to every girl"

Her words brought smile to my face and my dad looked at me once. He became calm. Mom smiled and my sister showed thumbs up sign expressing her confidence on me.

"Don't lose heart my child. Through ups and downs you will come up. These problems are like a fire. These problem are testing you. But you should come forth as pure gold from that fire. Just keep going. I wish you a heavy success"

Sometimes, more than our own family, unknown people inspires us more. I remembered the greeting card. I opened it and read it again word to word. I felt my confidence coming back to me.

Really, what encouragement I expected from my own family was given by two unknown persons. I prayed to God to bless them and give me a chance to meet them to offer my gratitude.

I went to my room. Put the card on display on my study table and went asleep thinking about all the events that took place in a matter of few hours.