Tragdic!!
No!! Not simply tragdic , but with a marvelous display of human cruelty at the same time with a little sense of belonging.
After the tour of the Children's Museum, Eisuke was attending a work call while the driver guided Meilin back into the car. They had plans for a late lunch at one of the famous itinerary hubs of the city,Park Street. Meilin was excited to know more about Park Street, in order to have a heads up she googled about it with Eisuke's tablet which was lying on the back seat while firing various questions at the driver.
The driver was a man in his late thirties who patiently tried his best to answer Meilin's random questions about the Park Street and it's specialities.
Planned in the Victorian style and located in central Kolkata Park Street accommdates some of the oldest restaurants of the country each with it own unique palate of cuisine. From Continental to Indian and Afghani foods, all are on everyone's must-try list. Amongst the many the one which stands out the most in Park Street is Peter Cat. A nearly more sixty year old Afghani restaurant which is famous for its two specific delicacies, The Chello Kabab and The Sizzlers.
Seeing the mouth watering pictures of the given food items in google, Meilin couldn't hold her hunger any longer. The more Meilin explored her mother's home town, the more she drifted away from her reality.
The half day in Kolkata was like a dream for her until reality decided to crush her last strand of hope.
Meilin was engrossed in the images of Chello Kababs and Sizzlers when a notification popped up on the screen indicating the arrival of a new email. At first Meilin only wanted to turn off the notification assuming it was work related since the sender was Iori.
But seeing the subject of the email she couldn't hold herself.
The mail body was short with just two sentences and an attached folder.
The folder didn't stand a chance; all of Meilin's attention was on those two sentences.
Two sentences containing only twelve words turned her life upside down .
[ Sir Dr. Li is dead. We recovered his body and ready for burial ]
As those words flashed cross the screen, time stood still for Meilin. No words could explain what she felt at that moment . Her eyes which just a moment ago were shining like the brightest star now turned into a lifeless hollow through which tears rushed down uncontrollably. The smile that complimented her excitement of visiting her mom's hometown was long gone and was replaced by a blank ghastly look. She entered into a world of complete silence. The hustle and bustle of the city outside didn't enter her ears. In her mind only memories of her father played like a series multiple videos. At the end she remembered seeing her father's retreating back from the attic window. For that moment she was numb though she was aware that something inside her was crumbling down. She didn't cry out on the surface but in heart she shed tears of blood at her loss.
Suddenly , she threw away the tablet and jumped out of the car , dashing towards the open road ahead . The driver was stunned momentarily but followed Meilin the next moment.
" Miss !! Miss !! Don't run.
Please wait !!
It's too dangerous!!"
The driver kept shouting in order to stop Meilin but it fell in deaf ears.
The car was parked in Lord Shina Road, opposite one of the historical school of the city Sakawat Memorial School. Going back to the direction they came from was the city's largest and the busiest four point crossing The Exide Crossing. Largest and the busiest as it was, it was also the most pedestrian accident prone areas as well.
Unable to come to terms with reality she headed for the crossing. Running away from the car was like running away from reality for Meilin. Drowning in despair she was beyond explanation, let alone reason. All she wanted was to be with her parents no matter the method or the consequences . Her mind was in complete turmoil with no control over her actions, by the time she was able to wrap her head around it was already too late.
In a state of utter despair Meilin found herself in middle of the four point crossing with an on signal. She was trapped with speeding cars and could not reach at any end of the crossing. She tried her best but all her efforts were in futile. Things became fatal when she collieded with a speeding car as she tried to dodge another. The collision threw her off to the ground, but there was no time for her to check her injuries as another car honked it's way towards her at a maximum speed. In fact at the height of her anxiety she didn't even feel the pain. She didn't know herself that she was injured with grave seriousness.
Once again she lost her coordination.
Her eyes grew wide as a saucer, her sight was fixed at the closing car. Her mind flashed danger sign while her heart stopped beating. She repeated told herself that she needs to get up and run away but her body would simply not move. After many failed attempts she gave up thinking that this was probably the best. She lost her will to live as she patiently waited for this to be over, for after that she will once again be united with her parents .
But she was yet to fulfill her purpose of coming to this world.
Everything happened in a matter of seconds, thus none of the onlookers could tell exactly what happened.
At the end Meilin found herself in a warm motherly embrace as her she slowly slipping away into darkness.
She struggled to best of her abilities with whatever remaining strength she had to hold on to the consciousness and saw a blurr image of a woman.
" Who are you?? "
Meilin asked in a barely audible voice.
" Me?? No one but a victim of tin talaq. " replied the woman in a gentle soothing tone.
" Thank you " Meilin felt a unique sense of security in the embrace of the woman a finally let herself go. Ending her struggle with a hope to reunite with her family.