6 years old.

‘That’ day has come

‘lay down’ ‘legs apart’

Hushed.

‘Strip.’ Forcefully stripped.

fire heat knife

slit slash cruel

Bloodied

‘Shhhhhhhhhh’

……………….
‘LEGS APART!’

sand grass; shoved

shut me. shut my hole.
‘Done’

Done, it was.

 

head eyes heavy

silence

………………..
Ah

What had happened to me?

Ouch

wincing

numbness with pain
I can’t walk

Somebody?! Anybody around?!

one foot after another

shaking hastily
bathroom door.

Closed.

sigh of relief

finally, some privacy
sound of shower, roaring

already bare naked

confused?

outraged?

Should I be outraged?

Am I allowed to be outraged?

leaning against the wall
Thankfully,

the water is there to listen

and drown my voice
No questions

just one

actually, only one word:
why why why

WHY WHY WHY

…………………….

‘to protect your honour’ they say

they keep saying

honour honour honour

my honour is my hymen?

my honour is in my vagina?

 

by Ashmita Bhattacharya