Crazy eyes

I met him at the bus stop, on my way to college. He was travelling from another country, here to visit an old friend. Our conversation started with him asking directions to go to a museum. We talked for atleast an hour, both missing our bus. He asked me out that day and I agreed. We met for coffee the next day and then again later that week. It felt like a fairy tale. Growing up with a dusky skin and few extra pounds in Shri Lanka was almost like a curse. Only the girls with fair skin and a slim body were considered beautiful. I was neither. Jake from the US made me feel important. He always looked at me like I was the most beautiful girl he had seen. And to top it all, he was really good looking and a doctor. I could not have asked for more!

He left Shri Lanka two weeks after we met as his visa had expired. We exchanged emails and phone numbers. He called me everynight, which was daytime in the US. I would skip sleep and stay up late to talk to him for hours. I looked like a zombie from all the lack of sleep. But I didn’t care. I had a boyfriend who loved me for me! He encouraged me to apply to colleges in Boston, close to him. He told me how he could not wait to introduce me to his family and how much he loved me. I began applying to different programs at Universities in Boston. My parents were unhappy that I wanted to study abroad for my under graduate degree but I didn’t care! I was in love! Later that year, I got accepted into Northeastern University. He told me it was just a mile away from his home. I was thrilled!

I was finally in the plane that would take me half wy around the wold to meet my love. I dreamt blissful dreams..Dreams of happy life with him, raising two kids and a dog. Owning a beautiful house in the surburbs like the ones they shouw in hollywood movies.

After a long and tiresome journey, I finally got to the Logan airport in Boston. He was waiting for me with a bouquet of roses. We hugged and kissed. I sat in his car to get to his house. He locks the windows, tells me that its just for safety. We drive to a secluded location, which looked like a deserted dock. This does not seem right, I thought. He began grabbing my thighs and sliding his hands between them. Coming from a conservative culture, the most affection I had experienced was a kiss on my lips from Jake. I told him to stop. He looked at me with crazy eyes. I had never been so scared.He grabbed me harder, tore my clothes and told me to comply. I started screaming. He slapped me hard across my face. Suddenly, scenes of the movie ‘Taken’ started flashing in front of my eyes. Was he a trafficker? Was he a rapist? Did anything he say was real? I began to wonder as I struggled to get him off.

Luckily, a police car was passing by and I began to kick Jake to get to the car horn and pressed it repeadedly. The police car stopped and a cop came close to us. Jake calmed down and sat calmly on is seat, avoiding eye contact with the policeman. I slammed my hands against the car window crying profusely to get me out of there and then I did.

Turns out he had arrest warrants in multiple states in the US and abroad for rapes, sexual abuse of minors and trafficking young women.