*Suni's story. A first-person narrative.
I used to travel to different places in search of a job. One day, when I was looking for employment, I met a boy named Raju who promised to give me a good job. Because I was desperate and poor, I believed him and went with him. Raju took me to a restaurant for lunch. After we ate, he took me to his friend’s place where a girl and boy were waiting for him. Raju introduced them as his friends and said that they would take me to my new workplace. His friends packed their bags and we went to the train station. I don’t remember anything that happened after that.
The next time I woke up, we were in Pune and Raju’s friends took me to a brothel and handed me over to a lady who was addressed as ‘Madam’. I was shocked to see girls wearing such revealing clothes. At first, I didn’t know where I was. A sex worker told me that Raju’s friends sold me to the brothel keeper and my job was to have sex with men. I refused to give in to the demands made by the madam. She beat me regularly for several days. Eventually, I gave in.
I was in the brothel for 2 years. I learned to drink, smoke, and swear. I was so angry that I decided to live in the brothel all my life. I saw no way out. One day, a guy named Kumar from the Rescue Foundation came to the brothel as a customer and had sex with me. Afterward, he said that he wanted to rescue me from the brothel. I was so angry that he wanted to help me after using me. I swore at him and told him to leave. Later that evening, an hour after he left, he came back with the police and rescued 3 girls, including me. I didn’t want to be rescued and it took a long time for my anger to fade away. But now I am happy I was rescued. I still face the pain of betrayal and abuse, but I am learning to overcome it step by step.
*name changed to protect identity