He could hear footsteps
It sounded as if someone was approaching but at a snail’s pace
This gave time for his heart to slow down
He stood hidden partly behind an old pillar
The silhouette came to light, whatever dim light was on at that time, and an old man came into view
Dragging his slight self by a cane, he slowly thudded his way towards a bench
Saleem saw him sit down on the bench, completely oblivious to his presence
The man took something out of his pocket
Trying to focus on the object, Saleem edged closer to the bench to keep out of the old man’s sight
He did not have to tiptoe though; the man was engrossed in thought
Saleem thought of going up to him and saying something
“Should I? Well I have to pass some time but more importantly, ask him what in God’s name is he doing here at this hour? And at this age?” Saleem cleared his throat
The man looked up from his watch
Alarmed, he asked Saleem who he was and what was he doing there
Having told him the reason for his presence, Saleem asked him, “Sir, may I ask that what you are doing here in this weather and this hour?” The old man replied, “The weather has never bothered me and the hour…Well I have arrived right on time
Although your presence here might be a problem
Why don’t you go to the back and stay out of sight
This is a very important meeting for me and if someone senses your presence, I will not be responsible for the consequences
” Saleem opened his mouth to ask the million questions that had popped into his head but the sound of a train interrupted him
The old man stood up suddenly as if he was electrified
“Quick! Hide, hide!” he said to Saleem in hushed tones
Saleem sprinted into action and quickly got out of sight, lurking in the shadows behind a pillar
“Why am I listening to this man?” he wondered but then a train approached and Saleem forgot what he was thinking
The sight that met his eyes was unlike any that he had ever seen before
The awaited train finally chugged its way into the tracks
It was ancient
It seemed empty yet there was a distinct buzz of conversation coming from it
Saleem spotted someone walking inside the train; he could see a dim silhouette through the window
The old man had reached the door; he held a hand up towards the train, and assisted the person down the platform
As the person disembarked, Saleem noticed it was a young woman
As she walked into the light, hand in hand with the old man, he was stunned by the sight of blood on her face
There was a gaping hole in her right cheek
He winced at the sight of open flesh and bone of her face
She seemed to be in complete harmony with her face, as did the old man
Saleem took a few steps towards them to have a closer look
They stood there, hands entwined, eyes locked, gazing lovingly at each other
There were faint murmurings as if they were talking in hushed tones but their lips remained still
Saleem walked closer still, bewitched at the sight before him
He didn’t see the trash can right ahead until he crashed into it
The sound startled them
The girl’s gaze fell upon Saleem and she gasped
Looking at the old man with horror she said, “Amjad! Who is he? What is he doing here? They could be here any minute now
” “He is nobody
He will stay out of sight
I warned him
” The man reassured her and gestured at Saleem to go back to his hiding place
“Have you lost your mind? He is a Muslim! They will kill him
They will rip him apart! I have given up my next life in exchange to keep you safe from their wrath
I cannot save him,” the girl said frantically
“I cannot let this ruin my time with you
I wait for this day all year long
I have waited all my life
Forget about him and come with me
Sit and talk to me,” the old man tried to soothe her
He took her by the arm and moved her away
Saleem finally broke his silent vigil
“Woo Woo…Uncle! Wait! Hey lady…
what do you mean I will die and who did you say was coming? And why does it matter if I am a Muslim?” It was then that Saleem noticed her attire
She was wrapped in a faded yellow sari
Laden with jewelry, she had long hair tied in a braid with flowers woven in her hair
She was a bride
Well, an old trampled one
The flowers in her hair were rotten and her bangles, broken
Adding the open wound in her face, she could have been hideous but there was something about her eyes that made her serenely beautiful
She sat down on the bench, looked at Saleem, and started explaining
Stay tuned for the third part of the series Find Salvation
| Date: | 08-Aug-2016 | Reference: | View Original Link |
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