“I need some money Uday” asked Rupa

“Again! Why? Do you think am I an ATM machine or something?” he asked her harshly

“I need to get few things in the kitchen; there is nothing left to cook”

Unnoticed by the, Thanu, their 16 year old daughter has come into the room. She heard them talk and felt bad. Hesitantly, she faced them and conveyed to her dad that although she was aware of the circumstances at home yet she needed some money to fill in an application “Dad… I… need some money”

“How much baby?” he asked her

“500” she said, he pulled out a few hundred rupees notes and gave her.

“Thank you Daddy” she said and kissed him on the cheek happily. After Thanu left, Rupa sighed “It is becoming too much for us, her studies and all”

“We shouldn’t deny her anything” he said

“It’s not denying, but it would be good if we give her what we could afford” she said and stormed out of the room.

Uday loved his daughter so much that he gave her everything, even the things which he couldn’t afford to and these left him in debt, but he never said the word ‘no’ to her. They were like best friends. They giggled, talked, fought and shared everything. Rupa is not aware that Thanu tells him everything regarding her studies, school, crushes, her dreams and her wishes.

Uday knew one day his daughter would fulfill his dreams, and with that, all his hard work would pay off. Thanu was aware of her dad’s hard work; her only aim in life was to see a Proud Smile on her Dad’s face and the Reason being her!!

She had completed her 12^th exams and was waiting for her results. She started attending evening classes for her competitive examination. Uday has been giving all the support she required in achieving her goals.

Uday was seated restlessly in the living room, looking towards the door, waiting for Thanu to return from her class, she’s late today. Thanu is the type of girl who informs at home when something detains her, but today she hasn’t informed and yet to turn up. He was gazing towards the door looking for any signs of her, but to no avail.

Uday’s mobile rang,

“Hello” he said

“What!!!” he said and he collapsed on the floor. Rupa came by his side and asked him what had happened. All he could muster was “Thanu.. Thanu…”

“What happened to her?” Rupa shouted.

They are walking through the corridors of the hospital, their tears couldn’t stop; they were running continuously from the time they had heard the news.

They approached the ICU and asked the doctor who was coming towards them “Doctor...”

“Yes...” he turned towards them and asked professionally.

It took all of Uday’s strength to ask him, “My daughter...” he was mumbling

“Who?  The girl who has been raped?” asked the doctor

He nodded his head, while tears blocked his vision; “she is no more” he said and left the place. His world collapsed right there, he started crying uncontrollably, Rupa beside him weeping silently.

Then came a ward boy and a police officer. They narrated what had happened and how brutally she has been raped. As a father he couldn’t hear any of those horrendous stories and he left the place.

Her last rites had been performed according to their custom.

Next day, Thanu was in the news, not because of what had happened, but she had secured an All India Top One Rank in her board exams.

Who is responsible for this? Thanu was a girl with aims and hopes in life, what wrong did she do ? What wrong did her parents do? We really dont know...