Am I Invisible? by Priyanka Saha

The first time Riya stepped on to Borivali railway platform, her heart skipped a beat. Her dream of experiencing life in the Maximum city would finally come true! Coming from Jaipur this was her first tryst with a metro city and its life. And she was all game for it.

A few minutes of walking on the platform along with her trolley bag gave a surreal feeling. Everyone around was running or walking too fast. “Is everything ok? I hope there is no terrorist attack!!” She was surprised. Why aren’t the people walking but almost running and in so much haste. She stopped. Started looking around. She found it amusing. It was as if she was still and everything around her was fast forwarded. She giggled and loved the feeling.

She moved towards the stairs on the bridge and then suddenly realized, Its been a good 20 minutes that she is walking all by herself in a new place and no one passed a comment, no one stared or checked her out, whistled or even shoved past brushing their body. Am I invisible? This feels so liberating! She chuckled. She was wearing denims and a waist length body fitting top and still no one passed a lewd comment. Can’t the men see me? It feels so good to be invisible!

After every few meters, she would halt. She just stood on the left side of the bridge to have a good look around. She didn’t want anyone to bump against her. She scrutinized how everyone was engrossed in scurrying across the bridge. Women, girls, men, boys and even children holding their parents hands – everyone was trying to catch the first train they could.

She realized that even while standing alone on the bridge, no comments or stares or questions. WOW! This city is amazing. She had heard girls can move around and wear what they felt like and no one cares or stares. She found it difficult to believe, and now living that feel in person was amazing.

The tiredness of the long journey was gone. Instead, she was all charged up to explore more. She walked towards the last platform and out of the station towards the autos. Even the auto wala bhaiyas didn’t stare at her or pass a comment! All they were concerned is where she wants to go and the ride.

Sitting inside an auto, Riya felt empowered. Growing up in small towns back at home, she never felt so safe and secured. There were eyes prying on her every move and now, here she was…feeling invisible! “I think I am falling in love with Bombay”. She smiled and looked around. What more can I ask for?.