Growing up in a city known for its fleet of yellow and black cabs , I wasn't really familiar with the world of radio taxis . It was only after I landed in Chennai in 2010 that I got familiar with radio taxis and eventually in Bangalore , where call cabs became a way of life.

I have literally boarded a cab at each and every time of the day . Be it returning from work at 2:30 am , catching an early morning flight , returning from station of a train late by 12 hours at the wee hours of 3 am, coming back home at midnight from a DJ night at Marriott beside UB City, returning from Adlabs to Pune through the Expressway.

Each time we have got calls from anxious parents or friends about whereabouts, we have assured them saying -It's safe,

Each time I have got pangs of nervousness boarding a cab at wee hours , I have assured myself saying- "It's the brand value . They do care for it , right? They won't do any such thing that may tarnish their image"

It was April this year when I had an early morning flight to catch for home. Wary of boarding a cab at 3am , I decided to take the last Vayu Vajra from Koramangala. After waiting for half an hour , as I called up the helpline , I was told the last bus had already left an hour ago. It was 10 past 11 and with a luggage in a desserted dim light bus stop , I was already a matter of gape for curious onlookers. So without wasting any more time , I called up one of the premium taxi services and they arrived within 15 minutes. The driver seemed over friendly and as goes the rule , I didnot pay heed to his questions and started talking over the phone . Suddenly he stops near the Hebbal flyover and tells me Mada I'll just come in 5 minutes. I looked around . A few cars whizzing past . No humans in sight . If something was to happen , it could have happened.

Post the December 2012 incident, there has been major increase in security in most of the workplaces where women need to stay late. Our managers have been kind enough to request us to not to stay in office post 7pm. Office cabs have an security guard if the woman is last drop. But if someday , both of them just exchange a smirk and do the dreadful , who's gonna stop?

It seems all it needs is one moment of lapse- forgetting your family , work and above all , dignity.

It was never that easy , and after the recent Delhi shame , it becomes all the more difficult .

Amid all the excitement of calling up the cab helpline or downloading the app and tracking the nearest cab, saving the bill for reimbursement , there has always been a lurking fear when you travel alone . And it will still be there for much more time to come