While walking out of the bus stand, feeling insecure and scared, Ermina cried silently while talking to her Almighty.

" Why Allah? Why? Why do I feel weak? I feel scared being alone. Everything is not going my way. During exams, the cabs were not available and I had to wait for hours to reach my hostel room. It affected my studies for exams. Didn't you see that? 

Remember when I slipped on mud in the bus stand during rain while going home, and no one helped me. Why did I go through that? Why did no one help me? And remember I helped a lady with snacks for her child. But no one helped me. Why do you make life so hard for kind people? " 

Ermina stopped for a few seconds and continued,

" Okay...those were past events ...

But what about now? There is no cab booking for over an hour. I have been waiting here all alone and now it's going to be dark soon. Are you planning something bad for me? Please don't... Please don't... "

With shaking hands she called her friend, Qizra. 

" Qizra please pick up the call... Please... " Ermina wiped her tears and tried again calling her. 

Ermina looked at the sky with anger clearly visible in her eyes. 

Controlling her tears, she walked further when her phone rang.

" Yes!! Qizra thank you for calling..." Ermina said until she read the name...

" Not you... You ruined my life... " Ermina hung up the call cursing then and walked further carrying her two heavy bags. 

The calls kept coming, always from the one person she didn’t want to hear from. She blocked the number. 

Normally, Ermina would have appreciated the setting, as it was perfect for her photography skills. But today, her mood was ruined, and nothing seemed to catch her eye.

She looked at the next caller, her mother who asked in her sweet voice,

" Did you reach the room? "

" Not now Mummy. The cabs were unavailable and now I have to carry these heavy bags. I'll call you later. " Ermina yelled due to her irritation.

Hanging up the call, Ermina soon regretted it.

" I am sorry Mummy. I am sorry Allah...

Allah please forgive me and help me... "

Ermina prayed silently as she dialed Qizra again, but the line was busy. She scanned the street for an auto, but none appeared. Finally, one stopped, but the driver’s behavior terrified her. Her mind raced with fears.  

She pretended to take a call. "Yes, you can see me after the turn. Yes..." she said, watching the auto drive away from the corner of her eye. She sighed in relief.  

“If only I were married, my husband would have picked me up by now, or at least gone with me to visit my parents.” Ermina thought, imagining how her married life could have spared her from these challenges.  

"Ya Allah, I just asked for a sign about my Zawj. How will I meet him? You said to wait... but for how long? I need him—my support, my strength. I want to support my mother too. Phuppi has made her sick again, and I can’t stand it. I wish I could get back at Phuppi, but I wasn’t raised that way. Everything is in Your hands, Allah. I surrender to You. Please help me."  

Ermina gasped for breath, wiping away her tears. She began reciting Kalmas and Ayat ul Kursi as she walked down the road, when suddenly, a white Fortuner pulled up right in front of her.  

"Ya Allah..."  

To be continued...