Chintito

[Not my real name]

Chintito

I have been raped.

I have been raped many times.

I have been raped since not long after my father announced to the world that he was blessed with a daughter. I have been raped that young.

I have been raped morning, afternoon, and evening, at daybreak and at twilight, and at waqts so sacred.

I have been raped in a flash. I have been raped for a very long time. I have been raped repeatedly.

I have been raped in the spur-of-the-moment, I have been raped after stalking, and I have been raped calculatedly.

I have been raped with words, I have been raped by their eyes, I have been raped by passers-by as they brushed me by.

I have been raped casually, and I have been raped violently.

I have been raped in the 'safety' of my home, I have been raped at work, I have been raped in trains and buses, I have been raped in the park, I have been raped at the beach, I have been raped in public places, I have been raped in places marked 'private'.

I have been raped by my husband, I have been raped by my lover, I have been raped by my relatives, I have been raped by my friends, I have been raped by acquaintances, I have been raped by strangers.

I have been raped by the rich, by the educated, by the poor, by the illiterate. I have been raped by men with no criminal record, even after I have been raped.

I have been raped by individuals, and I have been raped by several who chose to distance themselves from mankind.

I have been raped by being lured. I have been raped after my friends and relatives set me up. I have been raped by breaking my trust.

I have been raped by the police, I have been raped at the police station, I have been raped but denied the right to file a case against the rapist. I have been raped and so I fear I may be raped again.

I have been raped to be concealed behind a name (not my real name). I have been raped to receive sympathy afterwards. I have been raped to be soon forgotten. I have been raped to awaken the wrath of my people after my death.

I have been raped by people who have no fear of the hereafter. I have been raped by people who preach.

I have been raped enough times, and as if that was not enough…

I have been bullied and threatened. I could tell no one.

I have been beaten mercilessly to remain silent. I cried out aloud, in silence.

I have been defaced by acid, but my pleading face shall haunt him.

I have had my throat slit. I lay silent.

I have been cut into small pieces, my body that is, my soul scours humanity for redemption.

I have been buried, but there was no janaza.

I have been packed in a gunny bag or in a box where apples were.

I have been burnt, but there was no funerary pyre.

I have been flung into the water, I have been thrown out of moving vehicles, I have been left to the wolves, all to hide their fear of being discovered, not their shame.

* * *

I am a woman… your mother, sister, wife, and daughter. Close your eyes and think for a moment.

I am a woman (not my real name).

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