The Passengers : Story #2

Safeena earlier today told Tasleema that her father would be going to the city to bring grains. Tasleema asked Safeena why she hadn't gone with him like usual. Safeena looked into the blue of Tasleema's eyes. How could she be so naive? She thought. Everyone in the village knew that if the women of the village left, there would be imminent danger to their lives. But then she realised that Tasleema had no idea of the danger around them. Her elder brother, Zafar was extremely protective about her and hardly allowed her to leave the house. Their father had died serving the nation's army. Safeena's father spoke highly of his courage. She wondered if she would show any courage in her life. 

It was late in the evening and her father hadn't returned. The last bus dropped the passengers forty minutes ago. He did call once before leaving the town but never after that. The food in the house was scarce. Safeena's mother was worried. She had forgotten how her mother looked without the frown on her forehead. She always seemed distressed. The bulb at the bus stop glowed from the distance, she could see a vehicle approaching. Hoping it would be her father she rushed towards it, the vehicle stopped when it saw Safeena. Two men with heavy arms stepped out. She was scared but controlled her breath. She didn't want to look scared. 'What are you doing here?' asked the one with stubble and daunting eyes. 

'I am looking for my father' she said. 'Did he leave you to rot!' exclaimed the other one, the bitterness in his words stung Safeena. It made Safeena angry and her ears hot. Her father would never do that. 

'He hasn't left us, unlike you' the repugnance in her voice was profound. The insurgents didn't seem to take it well. Both of them approached Safeena, she wasn't scared. She had said nothing but the truth and it took courage. The one with the daunting eyes came closer to her face. 

They stared into each other's pupils. 'What's your name?' The one question everyone feared but Safeena couldn't be more fearless. 'Safeena Azad' she said, Azad wasn't her last name. It was Alam. But she that's what she felt, azad; free. She had been scared of people like them all her life. Her mother lived in the shadows because of them. These men tossed the women around like a toy whenever they came to any village. Nobody could lift a finger. That's one reason why many men left their women in other nearby villages. They couldn't stand the hatred and helplessness of their wives. 

'You have fire in your eyes. I will beat it out of you' he said while lifting his hand slowly clenching into a fist. She stayed quiet. Both men turned their backs. They left after that. She looked at the vehicle till it disappeared into darkness. That moment she realised; the fire had spread. In one dialogue her life changed.