I checked my bag and made it sure that I have them all. Stun Gun, Pepper Spray, Personal Alarm, and Ninja Knife…My gadgets for safety. I am getting late and it’s my night shift today. Nancy is already in the car. She is on call. Must be her Mr. Possessive boyfriend .The cab started without me and I hushed into it. Dint the driver see me? Well at least the poor Gal was in the middle of explaining her lover boy why she could not pick his call when she was tired sleeping after work or why she talked to that Mr. X whom he hates. We headed towards office. There is a Guard. Is it because its ladies pick-up? Since when did they start it? Well this guard seems to be sleeping sound in the front seat though. The driver seems to be in his own world. Its just 1Hr journey to office and the roads will be totally deserted at this point of time…I just remembered about the Martial Art Video tape which Sandy promised to give me. I should remind her about it…It’s a matter of safety… I can’t take a chance.

Nancy slept tired after the long call. I was trying to concentrate on the radio. Its Women’s day and the topics are all about women. Lott of RJ’s patronizing women and exaggerating how women jigged out of kitchen and state of inferiority to soar the heights of freedom. To conquer even moon… (Phew…They still need guard for pick-up though).

A sudden halt.Nancy woke up. Driver got out if the cab and started investigating the break down. They need to change the tire. Anxiety crawled all over me. This place is really deserted and its pitch dark. Driver is outside alone and we have a sleeping guard inside. I looked at Nancy. She seemed to be really worried as well. She picked up her cell phone and dialed her boyfriend. Gave him directions of break down. She seemed to be really worried. Before hanging she told him “It’s the same day and I don’t want to be the next one”. What did she mean? What happened on the same day?
Before even I could ask her anything, she dialed help desk and asked them to send one more cab.

I left her at peace and waited for cab. We both were insecure and kept quiet. By then our backup cab came. So did Nancy’s boyfriend. He went to the new cab and shouted at the supervisor pointing the sleeping guard. I got out of the cab and went there to check out what is happening. Supervisor politely said that after last year’s incident they started providing guard facility to ladies. He apologized and asked Nancy to take the new cab. It started raining. I slipped into the new Cab. We reached office and Nancy still looked worried. She didnt speak and neither did I .We went inside office and I saw our team gathered around a table. Must be one more Women’s day jazz. I tried to ignore it and walked to my desk .I saw someone else sitting there…By then Our team leader concluded his speech…Last year during this day we lost our loving colleague and friend during a local molesting on road. Let the coming years bring in more freedom and safety to our women colleagues. I turned back and saw my picture on the table were the team stood.