I usually donβt talk about this, but today Iβm choosing my voice over silence.
A few months ago, I was on a bus sitting next to an older man probably in his late (50s or early 60s) -someone who had spoken to me kindly at first. He called me βmoleeβ (little girl)(cuz I was barely 18 ...just done with my 12th grade). He asked about my day, acted like a harmless grandfather type. For a moment, I believed that.
Then he pretended to fall asleep⦠and slowly started inching closer.
At first it was his elbow brushing my hip. Then a little closer. And a little more. I kept thinking, maybe heβs really asleep, maybe Iβm imagining it. I shifted my bag between us, but he kept finding ways to touch me again.
That was the moment I knew
He knew exactly what he was doing.
So I did what every girl is taught to be afraid to do:
Hit him hard on his stomach with my elbow
Not loud, not dramatic -just a clean, sharp elbow disguised as βadjusting my bag.β
And suddenly, this man who was βsleepingβ had the reflexes of a gymnast. He turned away instantly, no flinch, no surprise, no waking up. He knew he got caught.
And he distanced himself for the rest of the ride.
I walked away angry, but also proud.
Because I didnβt freeze.
And maybe thatβs what being a woman in this world is -learning that kindness isnβt weakness, silence isnβt consent, and sometimes your safety depends on one wellβtimed elbow.
Iβm sharing this because girls like me shouldn't get freeze at the moment
And that day⦠I reminded him of it.