Part 12
When the car stopped, Heer didn't realize. She awoke to the sound of a thud. The driver had gotten out of the car.
She hadn't realized when she had drifted off to sleep and therefore hadn't paid attention to the road and had no clue where she was. She noticed that they had stopped at the side of the road which was a bit deserted. Suddenly it occurred to her that she was alone. With a stranger. In the middle of nowhere.
Ok Heer calm down. No need to worry. You're alone with some stranger. No big deal. If he tries to do anything, I can take care of him she thought to herself as she took deep breaths and calmed down. All she had to do was lay low and then run away as soon as the stranger wasn't paying attention. He could be anyone. He might even be from her village and might take her back to that hell hole. Thinking about it made her wonder what happened to her friends and kaki after she had left. She wished she could call them but she remembered her kaki telling her not to.
Heer was rushing to the window but Kaki stopped her. "Take care of yourself beta. Don't worry about us, we'll be fine" she reassured Heer. "Here. Take this" she gave Heer a cell phone. "It's mine. I'd give you yours but Daljeet knows the number and can call you and might emotionally blackmail into coming back. She doesn't know this number. That's why I'm giving it to you. Don't call us. Wait for our call." After that Kaki had given Heer a quick hug and before she could get emotional, she led Heer to the window.
Heer was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the bonnet close.
"Great. Just great. Stupid car just had to stop working in the middle of nowhere" the stranger said as he kicked the car. He took out his phone to see if he could call someone. "Crap. No network. Now what do I do'"
As the guy pondered about what he should do, Heer saw this time as to try to get a glimpse of the stranger. She was stuck with this guy for a while now and might as well see who he was. Heer couldn't see his face clearly because of the way he was standing. She started to lean over the seat to try to see him. She knew it wasn't a good idea but curiosity got the best of her. As Heer leaned over, she moved over a bit to reposition herself and made a sound with her payal and bangles. She froze, hoping the stranger wouldn't notice.
She was wrong. The stranger had heard the sound and turned.
"Who's there?" he asked. He didn't see any other car around him and wondered if a thief had come. He decided to check is car. "Anyone in here? If you are, come out. I promise not to hurt you."
Heer heard the voice getting closer. She knew he'd find her and there was no use in hiding. She might as well get out. Plus if he tried anything, she could always try running whereas she'd be trapped inside the car.
The stranger looked at the back door as he saw it open and a pair of feet stick out. He then saw it was a girl, because the sari covered her feet.
Heer slowly came out, afraid of what to expect, and look at the ground.
"TUM?!" Heer suddenly looked up and was shocked to see the person.
"Prem?"
"Heer? What are you doing here?" To say Prem was confused was an understatement. He was beyond confused.
"Can't you tell? I ran away" She smirked. Clearly the fact that she had a bag on and was wearing bridal clothes hadn't been a dead give away.
"Well I can see that" He replied. So maybe he had noticed. "But may I ask what are you doing in my car?"
This question was a simple one but Heer didn't know how to answer it. She thought back to the running away thing and her being chased and thought of what might be happening home. All this made tears come to her eyes, something Prem hadn't expected.
"Hey Heer. What's wrong?" he stepped closed to her, genuinely concerned. It took a while for Heer to calm down a bit and after Prem gave her some tissues from the car, she told him everything.
Prem didn't know what to say when Heer was done. He didn't know someone could be that cruel. And that too to their own brother's daughter. Prem didn't want to leave Heer alone like this.
"Where are you gonna go now?" He asked.
"I don't know. Anywhere I guess and find a place to stay and get a job" she replied. Prem just stared at her.
"You can't be serious. How are you going to find a place to stay on your own?"
"I'll manage" she snapped. "I'm not as helpless as you think. I cantake care of myself."
"Yeah but-"
"Before you say anything, how about we find a ride instead of being stuck here all night?" Heer said.
Prem closed his mouth and realize Heer was right. They decided to sit in the car and wait. They chose not to talk as they knew they'd probably end up arguing. Heer was growing restless.
"I can't believe we're stuck here. Your car is so unreliable" she muttered
"Excuse me? My car isnot unreliable. And no one asked you to get in my car."
"You're saying that as if I had a choice"
"Out of all the cars you justhad to pick mine didn't you?"
"Oye! You're was the only one there. If i knew it was yours, I would never have gotten in."
"Really? Then what else would have you done Ms.Heer. Kept running?"
"Yes. Someone would help me sooner or later."
"You should be thankful you found my car. who knows what would've happened" Heer knew Prem was right but she didn't want to admit it so she just leaned back in her seat and stared out the window.
It wasn't till half an hour later they saw a truck driving by. The driver had mistaken them as a couple who had eloped, due to Heer's bridal clothes and the bags both Prem and Heer carried, and offered to help. They had tried to clear his misunderstanding but in the end were told to go sit in the back of the truck as there wasn't room for both of them at the front and both Prem and Heer didn't want Heer to be sitting with a stranger.
Prem told the driver to drop where to drop them, before he headed to the back. He got to the back and waited for Heer to come and noticed her having difficulties. Being the stubborn girl that she is, Prem knew she wasn't going to ask for help so he extended her hand. Heer stared at the hand before taking it and got onto the truck.
"Thanks" she said quietly. Prem was surprised she thanked him but he understood it wasn't just for giving his hand, but for unknowingly helping her escape as well.
"You're welcome."
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This update is for Cookie. Hope it makes you feel better =) I tried to finish it before she had to go but she signed off 10 mins early so I decided to make it longer😆 And again it's longer than my usual one so you should be glad I took my time😆 Hope you guys like it =)
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