3. THE CHANCE ENCOUNTER

"And He is with you wherever you are. And Allah, of what you do, is Seeing.” (QURAN 57:4)

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"Excuse me. Can you take me to Serena Hotel?'' I asked a cab driver outside the Gilgit Airport in Urdu wondering if he would understand. 

"Of course Maam. Please sit, it's not that far from here.'' he replied politely.

I sat down in the back seat while the taxi driver helped with my luggage.  

"Are you here for the blossom tour? It's that time of the year, so many tourist come here from round the world, many from other cities too." The driver commented driving towards the hotel.  

''No, I am not here for a tour." I replied impassively. 

''Oh! For work then! I see!'' he returned excitedly, coming to conclusions on his own. I didn't bother correcting him, just removed the sunglasses from my face and put them on my head. I don't know why I was here either. Maybe, I just wanted to do something for myself, before I am dead.

"We are here Maam." The driver called out, looking through the rearview mirror. He was a young man possibly in his mid twenties. He had got the ethnic beautiful features and coloured eyes like this place's natives. I handed him the fare and got out but shortly afterwards he came running after me.  

"You forgot your change Maam." He stated, handing me back my change. I looked quizzically at him and then the money in my hand. In the end I kept the money with a slight nod. He gave me a small dimply smile and said salaam in return. He had turned to leave when I called out.  

"Wait." He stopped and turned to me with a confused look on his face.  

''Whats your name?'' I found myself asking.

"Sher Khan, Maam." He returned unfazed.

"Sher Khan, huh? I am Aasiya. If I wanted to do some sight seeing, can you be my guide?" His face took on a look of surprise.

"I will pay you of course." I added after a pause.  He looked bewildered for a moment before nodding to himself as if coming to a decision.  

"I am not really a guide, but you are our mehman (guest). So I will be happy to be of service." He said smiling a bit bashfully. I couldn't help but smile myself and after nodding him a thanks, I took his number. I don't know if I will use it but maybe someday—

I left the thought incomplete and started walking towards my hotel.  

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After resting a bit and having my lunch, I decided to step out. It was getting too cooped up in here while outside a breath-taking scenery awaited me. I walked for a few miles aimlessly, keeping a note of my surroundings. I wouldn't want to get lost here already. While wandering I stumbled upon a beautiful lake, surrounded by lush greenery. Everything was so beautiful that I felt myself relaxing as I eased myself on the grass. It was so quiet and peaceful. I found myself getting lost in the melody of the valley. The sound of lake soothed my wounded soul. 

"Aah." I can live here forever. I thought lying back on the grass and closed my eyes. It felt like someone was placing cold healing pack on my heated existence. I stayed like that for a while until I noticed a woman carrying two baskets full of fruits. One was placed on her head and she balanced the other in her hands. She looked like a native, judging from her clothes. She was an extremely beautiful lady maybe in her late thirties? Her skin was pale without sign of wrinkles and the veil on her head fell back slightly to reveal her brown hair shining golden in the setting sun. She walked with the grace of a ballerina. I couldn't take my eyes off of her until she crossed me. For a while, I sat numb in my place until something pushed me to go after her. I ran the short distance between us and came to stand beside her.  

"Umm—Hello—Hi! I—Sorry to disturb you, which I didn't mean to—but, would you like me to help you with that.'' I pointed towards the basket on her head. She looked at me with surprise in her eyes, before it softened with a smile. I watched her chewing on my lower lip, wondering what the hell was I doing.  

"Salam. Bakhsish (thank you) dear. It's not very heavy.'' She replied in a kind voice. I gaped at her entranced. However, hearing what she said made me a feel bit down. I mean yeah she must have done this her entire life, what  would she need my help for.  

''Oh. Okay. Yeah...Sorry for disturbing you.'' I returned awkwardly. I couldn't hide my disappointment despite trying. Meanwhile, she smiled softly watching me with her warm blue eyes. I turned to leave with a nod, when I heard her call out.  

"Though, I would like it if you could help me with this one." I watched her extending the basket in her hand to me, in shock. Taking turns, looking between her and the basket, I broke into a wide smile and took the basket from her hand. She returned the smile and we started walking together.  

''Umm. I am Aasiya by the way.'' I elaborated awkwardly.  

''Ma sha Allah. That's such a beautiful name. Do you know that Aasiya (R.A) is one of the most pious woman in the world?'' She inquired in that melodious voice of hers. 

For a moment, I was caught off guard. Only once, a long time ago, someone had responded with this, on hearing my name.

"Yeah. I do. I guess." I replied in a small voice. She smiled up at me warmly. After that there was silence, not an awkward one, instead a comfortable, breathable silence. I took in a sharp breath. It felt so nice and fresh.  

"Do you like it here?'' I heard her ask.  

"Yeah. Like I am alive." The words that left my mouth had left me shocked too. Her response came in an understanding smile.  

"Oh. I didn't ask you for your name." I realised and turned to her.  

"Its Nuriyah. But everyone calls me Nene (Aunt) except for my son and daughter, they call me me Amo (Mother)." She explained; her eyes twinkling.  

"Oh. I see. What should I call you then?'' I wondered why was I getting so frank with her. I was feeling unusually comfortable.  

"Whatever you like. I don't mind Amo either, since you are just like my own children to me." She returned with a small smile, turning to look at me. I didn't say anything to that instead sufficed with a nod and smile. We were now on some road where many natives were present.  They said salam to her, who replied cheerfully to them in a language, which I didn't understand. And before I knew it, we had stopped outside a huge brick house.  

"Here we are. My humble abode.'' She exclaimed while crossing the bricked pavement. I stood there at the gate, looking between her and the house for a moment longer, until she turned around and ushered me to hurry along. Heaving a long breath, I clutched the basket tightly to my chest and taking quick steps, reached her side.

Stepping inside to what seemed to be their drawing room, that smelled warm and cozy despite the freezing cold outside.  

''Aasiya dear, you can bring it here." She gestured and I followed her into the kitchen. It was small and cozy just like the rest of the house but very neat. There was no wall between the kitchen and the living room and a staircase was present at end of the room. I was keeping the fruits basket on top of the table when she called out towards the stairs.

"Zahra! Zahra! Where are you?'' 

Just then a beautiful girl who didn't look a day above 17 came sprinting down the stairs.  She said something in Native language to her mother and on noticing my presence glanced at me.  

"Salam." She greeted with a big warm smile adorning her beautiful features.  

"Walaikumusalam." I held out a hand which she shook warmly, before engulfing me in a hug.  

"Aasiya this is my daughter Zahra and Zahra this is Aasiya." She introduced casually leaving me to nod with a small smile.

"Zahra, where is Hadi?'' Hearing the familiar name, made my breath hitch in my throat. Yet, I silently watched this exchange standing in my place uselessly.  

''Amo, he is out checking up at the clinic, won't be back till evening, he said.'' Zahra called out from the kitchen.

"Yeah he did mention that.I am so forgetful sometimes. Hadi is my son Aasiya. He is a Captain in the Pakistan Army." She exclaimed with pride glistening in her eyes.

"Aasiya, would you like to drink some tea?Zahra asked coming into the lounge.

''Ah—No. It's alright. You don't need to bother—'' I exclaimed panicking, but got cut off by her laugh.

"You're so cute, Aasiya!" She remarked with a big, beautiful smile before making way towards the kitchen. I had heard about the hospitality of people of this region. Guess, it was true.

After a while she had returned with tea and akhrot halwa (walnut dessert). When I revealed to them them that I was a doctor, they had a hard time believing it. Since, I looked barely out of school to them. I told them bits and pieces about my family; just the basic stuff. Without realising it, 2 hours had passed and it was evening already.  

"I think I should go now. It's getting late." I got up saying, but then stood in my place skeptically for a while, building up the courage to ask her, if it was okay to visit again. 

I didn't know why I did this. But Amo, in turn, could only watch me surprised for a moment, before she released a hearty chuckle and pulled me into a tight, warm hug.

"Oh love, of course you can! This is your home too. You can come whenever you wish!" She exclaimed gleefully cupping my face with both hands and kissed me on forehead. I felt tears stinging the corner of my eyes. It felt hard to get out a word so I could only nod at her.They didn't want to let me go alone, suggesting Zahra to accompany me to my hotel. But after my insistence they relented. I felt a pang of sadness on leaving this house. Never before had I felt this calm in my life before. 

'Ah! If only I could live here forever.'

I had just crossed the bridge over the Gilgit valley to the other side when I saw a group of male tourists standing on the roadside. They looked at me but I ignored them and quickened my pace. The way to the hotel was still ten minutes away. The roads were mostly deserted and there weren't many vendors. I heard some footsteps behind me which made me grit my teeth in annoyance and pulled my leather jacket closer to my chest in attempts to warm myself against the cold weather. My feet halted when I saw the group of guys coming to stand infront of me and snickering. I wished that I could smash their bones to bits but decided to go through the other side when they blocked my way again. 

I glared at them. It was a party of four disgusting men. One of them started walking towards me; slowly, like a predator walking towards its prey. I held my ground and looked at him head on.  

''Well, well what do we have here. Want to join us pretty girl? We both are outsiders in this land. We will make sure that you enjoy yourself." The jerk snickered putting a hand on my shoulder. I watched his hand with a sickening feeling.

''Really? Your offer would've been appealing, except for the fact that I am not a big fan of scumbags.'' I returned smiling at him and in one swift move, grabbed his hand and twisted it back with force. He screamed and tried to slap me with his free hand but I turned and quickly brought my leg up to his groin and kicked it hard. He bent down in pain clutching the area where I kicked but I didn't stop there, instead moved back a little and brought my heeled boots to his face with a strong kick. 

I did all this in such little time that it stunned the remaining three guys. I knew that they will come up next therefore I got the pepper spray out of my bag and first sprayed it at the guy who was lying on the ground and then held it up to them. They came out of their trance and were about to advance towards me but stopped when they looked behind me. 

Immediately they rushed to pick up their friend, who laid wasted on the ground before attempting to escape. 

I heaved for breath while watching them run away, only to turn around to find some guy standing behind me. He had a bored expression on his face, as he stood there with both of his hands stuffed in his jeans pockets. He wasn't looking at me but at the group of guys who were running for their life. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I had never seen anyone like him. Even in the dark I could make out his perfect features and his striking blue eyes.

I was still gawking him when he brought his bewitching eyes to me. He watched me but didn't say anything, instead turned his head to the guy behind him, whom I hadn't noticed until now. He said something in his native tongue to the other guy while I continued to stand there in my place, watching this exchange, with a feeling of bewilderment. Just then he slowly started walking towards me. 

I gaped at him open mouthed, thinking of something to say, when he moved past me and started running towards the group.

I saw him catch up to them in no time, with a feeling of shock. Before I could comprehend the entire situation, I was nudged out of my daydream by the other guy's call.

"Assalamualaikum Miss. I am second lieutenant Karim. I'll escort you to your place." He announced, in a clear voice and I could only watch him stunned.