I couldn't sleep the whole night, living and re-living the whole experience in my head; the sin, the pain and the humiliation. I thought I deserved the punishment as I had violated a girl's integrity but a part of me thought the punishment was way too much compared to my sins. The shower had cleansed my body but my soul was still feeling dirty.
Next morning I decided to skip work and stayed back home as I was still not over the whole episode. I went for a morning walk to clear my head. There I bumped into my neighbor Mrs. Gupta. She had been very kind to me from the day I had shifted in the building. I was ever thankful to her for the home cooked food she would offer me every now and then. She was in her mid-30s, married for over a decade now. She was what we call a typical 'Bhabhi' or a desirable older married woman. She had maintained herself very well and she was a regular jogger each morning. She stood at a good height of 5" 7' with fair skin and a well toned body.
She immediately made out from my fake smile that something was bothering me and she asked if I would like to have breakfast. I was hungry and could use some comfort food so I agreed. Mr. Gupta had left for office by the time we reached her place and it was just the two of us and a nice spread of Punjabi breakfast on the table. 'Aloo Parathas' or Indian bread stuffed with potatoes as the high end hotels would call it with a nice Chickpeas curry and glass of lassi. I couldn't resist and dug in instantly.
After the breakfast she asked me, "What's the matter Jignesh? You look like you have seen a ghost."
"Nothing, I just had some trouble yesterday," I said as coolly as I could.
"I hope you know I am here for you and could help you if there is something bothering you. You are new to the city and if somebody is troubling you then you can talk to me. I have good contacts as my good friend Mrs. Patil is with the Borivali police station and she knows many people."
I considered telling her especially as I could use some police help and get back at those girls, but the embarrassment would be too much to handle. I smiled and got up to leave. She grabbed my hand and stopped me, "You have never skipped work since you have moved in. if you consider me as a friend then tell me what the matter is. I promise it would remain between us. I am really concerned for you."
The love and concern in her eyes broke me down. I had no idea what the outcome of this would be, but I simply narrated the whole incident to her. How I had met this girl on the train and how they had cornered me into following them to this house and humiliated me there (You can read the story 'Losing my Virginity at 25'). She listened with patience. Then held my hand and said, "Either forget the whole thing and move on or I can help you get back at those girls, but don't sit here crying over this. You shall gain nothing by beating yourself down."