8 Family And A Friend From The Past ....
Stranded away in an unknown world little Meilin cried her heart out after the couple disappeared.
She was acutely cognizant of the fact that this was her very last meeting with her parents. In this lifetime she would never be able to see them again no matter how much she longed for them.
But at the same time she also understood that this was a scarifice that her parents made for her sake; giving her a chance to live exchanging with their lives. Thus she has to fulfill her promise to her parents and return to the real world. She must fulfill her dream, make her daddy proud and become a strong person so that when time come she would be able punish those people who killed her parents .
Wiping away her tears she strengthened her determination .
' Mommy... Daddy...
Thank you for giving birth to me.
Thank you for taking care of me for all these years.
And most of all thank you for protecting me.
Mommy.... Daddy.... I'm sorry, that you had to sacrifice your life for me.
I promise you that I will not let your scarifice go in vain. I will fulfill my dream and I will punish those who took away your life.
Mommy... Daddy.... I hope you can live happily in the sky forever.
Good bye '
Meilin prayed with all her heart, hoping that her parents will have peace in their after life.
No sooner than she finished her prayer , Meilin's soul returned to the mortal world in a flash.
...
Beep!! Beep!! Beep!!
As Meilin slowly returned to her sense she felt a dull pain in her forehead.
She opened her eyes to be greeted by blurr figures of people around her.
She felt someone was tapping her cheek constantly.
" Wake up... Wake up child.. "
" How are you feeling now?? "
Someone asked her.
Meilin didn't respond to anything. She only tried to understand her surroundings with an unfocused sight ; her consciousness was yet to return fully.
After trying for some time Meilin understood that she was in a hospital. With that as her assurance she drifted off to sleep as exhaustion took over her body
...
Meanwhile, in the cafetria of the waiting lounge five people sat together surrounded by heart wrenching atmosphere .
On the farthest corner of the cafeteria reserving a six seater sat Eisuke, Soryu, Rtd. Chief Justice Subroto Singha Roy and his wife Baisakhi Singha Roy ( Ashima's parents) and Arzoo Nausheen Khan.
Baisakhi Roy trembled uncontrollably, she couldn't even speak, tears fell down from her face . The old judge was none better either. His face was like a stone statue devoid of any emotions, his eyes were red and a single drop of tear fell from his rims. With his extended arm he held his wife who was cried her heart in his dependable chest.
The sight of the old couple was just too painful to see. Sitting beside the couple was Arzoo Khan who was Ashima's best friend from childhood. They were an inseparable part of each other's life until Arzoo was forcefully married off by her family. Right after that Ashima too married Li Yujin and left India. Arzoo was the sole support Ashima ever had during her first dating years with Yujin. Later Arzoo also helped the latter convince her parents to agree for their marriage.
After Arzoo's marriage it was like she disappeared from the face of earth. No matter how much Ashima tried she couldn't reach her until Arzoo herself showed. But unfortunately it was a little too late for her.
Seventeen years late.
Arzoo never thought in her worst nightmare that the day she would reunited with her best friend's family would be the day she would learn that her family was under total anilation.
Eisuke reached the spot just when was Arzoo successfully able to drag out Meilin from the middle of the crossing and reached the other side. Ashima was on the same footpath as that of Meilin and slightly collided with Meilin and got just a small glance if her face. But that was enough for her to risk her life and jump in the on crossing to save her. At a glance she saw her bestfriend in her past form. She then followed the child only find that she might just have a wish to commit suicide.
Her mind went blank !!
She could never let that happen....
Thus, she took it upon her herself to save her. Arzoo's decision was right on time for a second more of late arrival and Meilin would have really travelled to her parents new home.
She was perhaps the angel who was sent by the gods to ensure that destiny's plan regarding her Meilin was secured.
Arzoo was a pyshics student and was successful in applying her knowledge to create a diversion so that the cars were thrown into chaos, giving her the chance to smoothly cross over and get Meilin along with her.
It was a complete chaos at the crossing that moment. The police and paramedics arrived immediately on the spot and carried Meilin to the nearest hospital. Eisuke and Arzoo both jumped in the ambulance. None knew the either intentions or relation with the child but didn't deny their presence.
Arzoo felt that the man was in close relationship with the child while Eisuke felt that perhaps the person was just concern of the child she just saved.
Things only cleared out when Eisuke upon arriving at the hospital called the Singha Roy's and summoned them to the hospital Meilin was taken.
Upon arrival the first person they saw was none other than Arzoo herself.
Meilin was taken to the operation room upon arrival and then to the intensive care unit for observation.
Eisuke questioned the driver and understood the whole picture. It was a common reaction given Meilin character.
They were asked to wait in the lounge and that's when Soryu arrived at the hospital alongside his assistant Samajin with Iori's complete report. Soryu sent Samajin to the wait outside the intensive care unit for any word about Meilin while he, Eisuke, Arzoo and the Roy's waited in the cafetria.
The Roys were at first surprised by Eisuke's call but hearing about Meilin's accident they didn't have shadow of a doubt. The Roys were well acquainted with Eisuke thanks to Ashima having introduced him personally to them in Meilin's infant years. After that, for years they fell apart and were once again united when tragedy befell on them.
Eisuke and Soryu gave them a complete detailed description of the situation and also delivered the news of Ashima and Yujin's death.
Currently, the Roys were the only living known family Meilin had along with Arzoo her mother's friend from the past.
...
" So what is Meilin's future now??? " Arzoo asked in a soft and shaky voice. She was grateful to God and full of gratitude that she was able to save the last momemto of her friend. But also worried for the poor child.
Her question perked up both Mr and Mrs Roy as well.
It seem this was on their mind as well; they immediately turned to Eisuke with expectant looks hoping for an answer.
" Honestly speaking I really don't know. " Eisuke said with a heavy heart.
His statement stunned his audience .
But before they had a chance to raise questions Eisuke continued.
" Actually I did have a plan before coming to India with Meilin but after the arrival of my assistant's investigation report I believe even you all understand exactly how sticky the situation is. At the moment I just want to introduce Meilin to you all and take her away. Her staying here can run an unnecessary risk of Meilin's exposure and pose a threat to your life as well. But I too need some assurance. I am waiting for someone at the moment. After a discussion with him only we can come to a proper decision. Until then we must make Meilin feel family. "
" Eisuke thank you everything you have done for us. I just have one more request, if I may??? "
Subroto Roy said in a choked and trembling voice.
His voice alone was enough to tell how much his heart was crying for his beloved daughter."
" Please do Sir. " Eisuke replied respectfully.
" If possible for you Eisuke , take Arzoo with you for Meilin's care. Arzoo will be able to provide her motherly care if not her mother itself. She was after all Ashima's best friend. Also she would have some shelter and food in return. She is a victim of triple talaq and an unfortunate mother whose child was forcefully killed even before being able to see the light of the planet just because it was a girl child leaving her impotent forever . It was a life risk and the consequences were already stated by the doctor, hence they applied for rural methods causing even more damage to her. Yet they threw her off claiming to be impotent when she couldn't bear them a child after that. Eisuke she has been through a hell of a torture ever since her marriage. As someone whom I have seen growing up as equally as my daughter I can say it with confidence that she is what Meilin needs right now far more than any of us. Ashima would be able to rest in assurance that her daughter will be taken care of by her best friend. That is all I wanted to say, rest is up to you ."
Mr. Roy's words fell in Arzoo's ears with total disbelief.
She never thought that her best friend's father would feel sympathy for her, where her own parents sold her off for their benefits and didn't bother to inquire about her well being.
Entrusting her with Meilin's care was the proof of the fact that they have always treated her like their daughter.
" I don't mind at all Sir.... If Ms. Khan is willing then we can make the necessary arrangements in no time. "
Eisuke signed a huge sign of relief in his heart.
Half the battle was already in his bag, now to finish the rest .
" What are your thoughts Ms. Khan?? "
