It was afternoon when they returned home. In the evening, there was a social meeting where Abba and Amma had to reach early like many others. It was optional for the young ones to go there. They could reach upto 7pm timing. Amma asked Maryam to join them earlier, but she refused because she was having headache due to the discomfort caused by Raza. She didn't tell anybody about this because she didn't want to increase the headache of Amma and Abba, who were already being in traumas of unemployment and guilt. She asked them to be the first at the meeting.
The meeting center was held outside the Kaur. It was dusk when Maryam walked out through the main gate of the Kaur, all alone. She knew where to go. She was walking through the streets, among few other humans on land- humans half-dead, like zombies. Humans- breathless and disappointed with life. Humans- inactive but searching for interests. Humans- sad and lost. Humans- praying for Forgiveness. Humans- introvertish and insecure. Humans- soulless but searching for life.
So, she walked past by this empty street with a dog sleeping underneath a parked lorry. The buzzing of wasps could be heard from the bushes. It was all dark. Headlights were fluctuating. The lights outside the houses provided help. She was walking her way when suddenly she felt something suspicious. She felt like somebody was chasing her. But, ignoring it, she made her way. She kept checking back and forth simultaneously if somebody was watching out. She sped up her pace then. It was a long street so she was trying to get out of there fast.
There were only few houses left to cross when suddenly, someone pulled her from the back. It was too fast for her to examine the situation. She fell in somebody's arms. She screamed for help. But, as soon as she did that, she found her lips taped and hands seized with handcuffs. She made rough movements to loosen the man's grip and escape. But, he was stronger than she could have thought. He was wearing a mask. Maryam was totally helpness and was sobbing. She tried to yell through the tape. She had realized she was being harassed. He threw her at a corner where he thought nobody would see him. Maryam was petrified and was groaning in fear.
At a distance from where Maryam was being assaulted, there was a boy named Mihran who was leaning over a girl lounged against a wall. He heard the noises from around. Interfering his activity, he said, 'Did you hear that? '
'What? '
'Wait, I guess... there was some... '
He immediately sensed the mishap and excusing the girl, he walked aback. He quickly examined the surroundings. In a few seconds of search, he caught the sight. He found a girl being tortured. He ran for her rescue. He went loony and violent. He pulled the man just before he could the sin. He beaten him madly while ferociously abusing and yelling at him in Bahasa. He almost removed his mask. But, just as he got a glance at his face, the man escaped. Mihran still remembered his face-look. Then, he quickly checked for the girl. He removed the tape from her mouth while she was crying and calling God's name. He brought her her scarf which was shattered at a distance. He was deeply sympathized with her, and was devastated at the man who was trying to kill her dignity and self-esteem. He started telling her loudly, something in Bahasa when she had just said thank you. Then, he saw her handcuffs as she stood at a corner, sobbing. He started thinking of an idea how to break the handcuffs. He came near Maryam and said something in Bahasa and sought for an answer for a while. She was just looking at him, scared. Then, she said nervously after wiping tears, 'I don't understand what you're saying. I can't speak Bahasa. I'm an indian. '
Now, he had realized the truth. He calmed himself from the frustration of her not saying a word.
'Oh! Okay, alright. I didn't know it. Sorry... Well, I was saying... Let me do something about your handcuffs. Do you have something like a safely pin or hairpin? '
She gave him a hairpin. Mihran's Mom was a police inspector, so he already knew how to deal with these kind of things. He broke the cuffs open. She was weeping.
'You alright? '
'Yeah, thank you. Thank you so much for saving my life. '
'It's okay... Lone streets are not safe to roam around at twilight. You guys got to to be safe... Where do you live? Which DC? Why did you come here? '
'Huh?... Kaur... Now, I just... '
She was in dark trauma and was completely blank. She slowly began pacing back home. He watched her crying. He felt bad, so he ran to her and expressed kindly, 'Um, I don't mind to take you back to the Kaur... It'll be safer... '
She just watched him for some seconds. She was unconscious. She wanted to say yes, but his outfit was shaking her trust. He was wearing a red vest with a black jacket tied around his waist and black damaged jeans. He was wearing maroon Chelsea boots and a yellow cap worn in a badboy style.
An ethnic Indian girl would never trust a man who is not dressed up decent! But, Maryam decided not to judge him by his clothing, but his humanity. What he did was exceptionally kind.
Then, he consoled very nicely, 'You can trust me. '
She nodded for his heartful offer.
'Alright. You wait here, I'll be right back. Don't worry. '
He ran and soon came back with his bike. She was still crying about the scary incident that had happened. Wiping her tears, she sat on the bike. The engine revved and Mihran rode straight to the Kaur. She was continuously sulking. At one turn, Mihran cleared his throat and consoled, 'Hey, don't cry. Everything's fine now. You're safe now. '
He then softly continued, 'I hope I wasn't late. '
'No, you weren't. ', she said, drowned in thoughts.
'Thank God. '
'Still, it's scary. ', and she cried.
Mihran almost had tears in his eyes too.
'Don't cry, girl. Just don't cry. Forget about it. You're gonna be okay. I know you're strong. They say Indians are the strongest people. And you, certainly, are one of them. Be strong. '
She wiped her tears. He watched her through the front mirror.
'All you've to do from now on is to be more careful... And you should learn some fighting skills for your safety, you know. '
'I think now I need to. '
'Yeah... Now, don't worry, don't cry, don't think too much, don't discuss it with anybody. Well... That's upto you. ' He continued more casually, 'And you know what, other than these things, you've got a lot to do, don't you? '
'Yes. '
'Hmm... By the way, what were you doing in that street? If you don't mind asking... '
'... I was going to Shareeq office. '
'Oh. My Mami, I mean, my mother who's a policewoman was also called there. '
'All the kaurians were invited there. I was also supposed to be there. '
'That doesn't matter more than your safety. You should, at least, take someone along if you're going out this late. '
'Hmm... You're right. '
Soon, they were at the main gate of the Kaur. Maryam hopped out. She was sorrowful.
'Thank you so much, again, for being there, for saving my life. ', she said with eyes down.
'Ah! Don't worry about that. And... Don't cry anymore. It doesn't really suit you. ', he coolly said.
She finally smiled, and said, 'You came like an angel. '
He smiled and boasted to himself only, 'Stop it. '
Maryam bid goodbyes and watched her way. Suddenly, he stopped her, 'Hey! ', and shouted, 'Remember one thing: The world's with you. '
Maryam nodded with a straight smile. At home, she cried a lot thinking of what had happened and conceiving what else could have happened if the saviour didn't come the right time. But, hold on! Who was the saviour? What was his name! She forgot to ask. Nor could she know about the jerk.
Mrs. Farooqui investigated about her absence in the meeting. She blamed her headache. She hid the whole incident. She couldn't sleep at all.