Escaped

 

 Reluctant to get out of bed and start the day, Riya snuggled under the covers.  Nothing should make her mother suspicious until at least the school hours were over.

Riya rushed for the school bus so that she didn’t have to answer her mother’s question about not wearing the school uniform. Leaving her bag behind in the bus, she looked for the opportunity to walk out of the school gates.  At this time of the day there were always students running late and trying to enter before the gates were closed. Not wearing a uniform helped her to remain anonymous. Walking away Riya realized that she hadn’t given much thought to details as she had been too preoccupied with making a safe exit. Avoiding attention she boarded the first bus that came her way. It would terminate at the railway station and by default seemed a good choice. It would be easier to disappear in the busy station and decide her next move.

The station was a constant flux of humanity. If she stood around for too long she would arouse curiosity and so she looked for a crowded spot. Previous discussions with Vir as well as the general talk that rose and ebbed around was a reminder that trains would be packed for a major religious festival. Such events drew pilgrims as well as others in great numbers. It would be best to tag along with one of these groups and hope to remain undetected.

 As a school girl Riya hadn’t ever travelled by herself but she confidently bought a ticket and was told to look at the notice boards for detailed information regarding timings and availability of trains. Extra trains had been introduced to cope with the rush of pilgrims going to the temple festival. A bit confused with the railway clerk’s brusqueness she gravitated towards a large group of women who were clapping and singing hymns. Safety in numbers would provide her protection from inquisitive eyes.  Whether it was the singing or the excitement but soon Riya was dozing soundly with her head leaning on one of her fellow passenger’s shoulder.  She was jolted out of her peaceful sleep by women scrambling and gathering their bags and bundles while calling out to their children as they hastened towards a train that was chugging towards the platform. She decided to throw in her lot with them and looked hurriedly for a place to sit. The women made themselves comfortable, did a head count of their group, opened their bags and distributed food to the children. Since Riya was sitting next to them she was also apportioned some rotis and sweets. Riya’s first reaction was to refuse but hunger got the better of her and she wolfed down her share.

After a few hours the train stopped at a big station and Riya followed the women. The station was spilling over with people, sweaty, unwashed and noisy and it became too much for Riya to configure a way out. She waited for the crowds to thin and tried to glean information from fellow passengers.   Currently there was a scramble to board the buses that would transport the devotees to the big temple on the hill. But there was another temple and river that many visited before taking the road uphill. Riya couldn’t bear being squashed again in a  overcrowded bus. She stepped out of the station and hired a rickshaw to take her to the riverside.

A bit aimless and definitely lost Riya was figuring out how her absence would impact her parents. Would they be angry or would they try to understand her problems too? Having run away she might as well make the best of the day.  Riya was unaware that though there were so many people in transit she hadn’t been completely unnoticed.

There were men, who roamed in public places, and kept an interested eye on people especially the young who for known and unknown reasons were free from the watchful eyes of guardians.  Riya was noticed and earmarked though she was clueless. Sarjju followed her but kept a safe distance. He had noted that she wasn’t local, unescorted and a prime catch.

Riya paid off the rickshaw and walked down to the steps leading to the river. It was almost noon and it was quite deserted. She dipped her feet in the water, looked around and wondered what she should do next. It took her a few minutes to realize that somebody was staring at her and she was on her guard. It would be wiser to go towards the temple or even go to the station and see about getting back home. She was hesitant when she saw the man coming in her direction and decided to move on. The sound of footsteps catching up unnerved her. Instead of going towards the temple she swung blindly in to a street. The street branched off in to a narrow lane and Riya rushed in to a house that opened on to an empty courtyard. Too scared to run any more, she crouched restlessly behind a pile of thorny firewood that scratched her arms and legs. Thirsty, frightened and out of breath she no longer had the courage to think or act. She was nudged out of her hiding place by a foraging goat. The unexpected appearance of the animal bleating and edging towards her threw her in to a fresh paroxysm of panic.   

The combination of Riya’s shrieks and the goat’s plaintive cries drew an old woman from inside the house.

Her voice rose to a crescendo, “What are you doing in my yard? Torturing the poor creature.”

The sudden appearance and the accusations made Riya tremble and unable to speak she burst in to tears and croaked, “I am lost and a man is chasing me.”

“Silly girl, how did you get separated from your parents. The temple is further down the road and isn’t difficult to find. “

The woman looked out of the gate as Riya made no effort to move. “I can’t see any man. You better make a move. Next time stay close to your parents instead of gawking around.”

Riya walked towards the temple hoping that she would soon be able to get help. Sarjju had lost track of Riya but he guessed that she would try to find her way to the temple or to the station. He was an experienced hand at picking up young girls from public places. Riya had looked an easy prey but she had proved wily enough to temporarily avoid his clutches.

 The temple doors were closed until the evening prayers but devotees and folks from all around the country were swarming around the shops and eateries. Sarjju’s practiced glance took in the scene and he hadn’t failed to pick out Riya in front of a stall selling water. Their eyes met as he was about to step in her direction.  Riya didn’t waste a moment. She raced towards the flower sellers and darted in and out hoping to throw him off. The shifting crowds, the heat and an unknown fear drove her to find a hiding place among the shops and the continuous clamor of demanding customers.

Sarjju was in no hurry as he knew the rules better than Riya who was no longer able to act logically. He would speed up and suddenly slow down but not let Riya out of sight. The cat and mouse game continued with Sarjju steadily leading her towards a lonely lane. He aimed to nab her after she was cornered. His ploy was working well, Riya was within arm’s reach when she suddenly tripped and fell flat on her face. A strong pair of arms helped Riya to her feet before Sarjju could make his claim.

Riya shivered and sobbed but was grateful that her fall had been broken by a policewoman who was patrolling the area. Sarjju wasn’t keen to give up his quarry but better sense prevailed. He didn’t wish to take on the police and land in trouble. He would follow from a safe distance and see if the stars would favor him.

  Anxiety and apprehension had silenced Riya as she followed the police woman, “Why are you crying? Who have you come with? Did you run away from home?  The best solution will be to take you to the Missing Persons Office and they will try to help you get home.”

Riya was taken aback by the number of bewildered and confused adults and children jostling in the makeshift office. She kept hoping that her parents would make a miraculous appearance. As she neared the help desk she heard a familiar stammer, “RRiya my guess was right.”

 Totally disconcerted by Vir’s presence, Riya blurted out, “What are you doing here? Did you come looking for me?”

“You asked me umpteen questions about my mother’s disappearance and I suspected that you might choose this place. Against all odds your father decided to go along with my suggestion. He wanted me to accompany him.”

Vir was embarrassed by Riya’s hug, “I am glad that you are my friend.”

She had seen Sarjju for a brief moment in the office before he slunk out

Tears, explanations, accusations and more would follow but for now Riya was home. It mattered that her family and friend had been fortunate in reaching out to rescue her.