I feel very deeply about bullying. For someone who’s been bullied at school I understand what it feels like being the one left out, being the one sitting alone in that corner bench, being the one looked down upon by other classmates. It was never actually open for me, she never usually picked on me in public or in front of people but it used to be in those brief encounters on the days she was present. I used to try and avoid her as much by keeping myself as far from her as I could. I understand how it feels like to be someone who has no one for a real friend, who has noone to share her feelings with and who couldn’t share her pain with her parents -who she know as her only ally and as the only people who actually cared for her- just coz she didn’t want to worry them.
It was during one of those sad encounters with her that I had someone speak in my favour for the very first time. I remember how it made me feel. I felt seen and heard in that moment. I felt like someone acknowledged my existence in this entire class of 40 for the first time in a year. “You can’t underestimate her like that!’ I still remember his words. It’s said that people forget what you
do or say but they’ll never forget how you make them feel. And I was so overwhelmed by his kindness that I couldn’t say a word to him that time. It was only after years when we got in touch again that I thanked him for what he did that day and I still feel grateful for that till the very day.
I’ve never been vocal about this coz I never actually acknowledged it. I could not come around to believe the fact that something like that could happen to me too. And now, after all these years when people say that you’re a strong confident girl, I feel proud in me being able to come out of it. I look back at all those experiences and memories, all those crying nights, wet pillows, dark circles and sunny yet gloomy days and feel blessed to have survived what I have. I used to have my mum asking in the morning why I had swollen eyes. I used to have my younger brother say that he heard me sobbing at night and asking why I was crying.
This makes me realise the importance of that one hand of support, that one person’s acknowledgement of your misery, that one soul coming forward in your defense. Often people act as mute spectators to oppression weak and of those who can’t speak for themselves, but you need to realise the importance of being the “one” who comes forward brushing aside all his doubts and silencing his mind for good. You need to understand the importance of being kind and not shy away from showing it to people. You need to understand the importance of being helpful and not only to the people you know, but also to the ones you don’t know personally. You need to understand the necessity of empathy and the terraforming change it could bring into others life. You need to understand the power of your goodness and the amount of positivity it can bring to someone. You need to understand the importance of rising and stepping ahead in favour of someone. Be considerate. Be kind and watch your actions.
Last modified: April 11, 2020
