Riddhima sighed as she stared out the window. There were no customers in sight nor did she anticipate any coz of the big game. Everyone was probably at home, glued to their TV screens and here she was stuck working on a Saturday night. She usually didn't mind working coz there was always a steady stream of people walking in and out of the store and her regular customers spent quite some time chatting with her. But the day had dragged on with the fewest customers ever.
She plugged her headphones back in her ears and went back to reading her 10th magazine. All of them had the same stories and pictures but it beat looking at the clock every five minutes. She was officially off work in 30 minutes and she could hardly wait. Riddhima looked up from reading about the latest new on Robert Pattinson when she heard the door open. She saw a young girl, probably her age, wearing a black dress rush in, with tears streaming down her cheeks, trembling violently.
Girl: Please you've got to help me! Call the cops he's going to find me and take me away! Please please please help me! The girl shuddered and gripped Riddhima's arm to stay upright. Riddhima could sense the terror behind the girl's words and did not wait to question her. She picked up the phone and dialed 911.
Operator: 911 what's your emergency?
Riddhima: I've got a girl in my store who is being chased by someone. At that very moment, a guy burst into the store and seeing him, the girl let out a scream.
Guy: How dare you run away from me Muskaan? Come on lets go. He grabbed the Muskaan's arm but she struggled against him. Riddhima was still on the phone and the operator was listening in on the conversation.
Operator: What's your location?
Riddhima: Kennedy and 16th, Turquoise store.
Operator: Please stay on the line. Help is on its way. Riddhima put the phone done without cutting off and moved towards the guy who was holding Muskaan by her hair and dragging her out the door. Muskaan was struggling against him when he raised his hand and slapped her across the face, splitting her lip.
Riddhima: Let her go! I have called the cops and they will be here any minute now! She pulled Muskaan away from him and pushed her behind her back, shielding her from the guy. There was undisguised anger pouring out from him as he stepped towards Riddhima and punched her in the face. Riddhima gasped as the force of the punch knocked her backwards but she refused to move. In the distance, Riddhima could hear the wail of police cars and she sighed in relief. The guy took another threatening step forward but he heard the sirens and ran towards the exit.
Riddhima and Muskaan watched from inside the store as a police officer tackled the man to the floor, cuffing him. Another officer walked into the store and lead Riddhima and Muskaan outside to the paramedics to get them checked out. The officer asked them for their statements and since Muskaan was incoherent from crying so much, Riddhima related the entire incident to the officer.
part 1- pg 1
part 2- pg 1
part 3- pg 2
part 4- pg 3
part 5- pg 3
part 6- pg
part 7- pg
part 8- pg
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