"How much longer to reach Ketsapo?" a girl asked the conductor.
The conductor stared at her from head to toe with a leering look.
"Ummm... forget Ketsapo. Stay with me," he said, moving closer to her with his long, weak, yellowish hands.
"What—ahhhh!" the girl screamed in terror.
Deep, who had been watching anxiously, rushed forward and tried to slap the conductor. But the conductor grabbed Deep's hand, twisting it behind his back.
"Ahhhh!" Deep cried out in pain.
I thought I could handle this easily, Deep thought grimly.
Oh no, this boy came to help me, but now he's in trouble too, the girl thought, fear evident in her eyes.
"Ashwin! Venkat! Get up, please!" Mrs. Ashwin said urgently.
"I just want to rest on these hard seats," Mr. Ashwin groaned, eyes closed.
"That boy, Deep, is in trouble! Ashwin, please get up!" Mrs. Ashwin pleaded, trying to wake her husband.
Deep was being punched repeatedly by the conductor.
"He's a man; he can handle it himself," Mr. Ashwin said weakly, still with his eyes closed.
"But can't you help the girl the conductor is harassing?" Mrs. Ashwin asked urgently.
"Oh, you should have said that before!" Mr. Ashwin sprang up quickly and moved toward the conductor.
It all happened quickly between the bus seats.
"Ah, now you want to play tough," the conductor sneered, flashing a wicked smile.
"Your judgment is mistaken, poor boy," Mr. Ashwin replied confidently.
The conductor threw a punch at Mr. Ashwin, but Ashwin blocked it effortlessly.
This man is surprisingly strong; I couldn't even get my punch through properly, thought the conductor.
He's weaker than I expected, Mr. Ashwin thought with a smile.
Then, with his free hand, Mr. Ashwin delivered a powerful punch to the conductor.
That's gotta hurt, Deep thought, wincing from his own pain.
Uncle truly has enormous strength, the girl thought, watching anxiously.
The conductor collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
"Okay, everything is under control now. Don't worry," Mr. Ashwin said, looking at the girl and Deep.
"Give me some water," he ordered firmly.
The girl hurriedly took out her water bottle and handed it to Mr. Ashwin.
He sprinkled water on the conductor's face.
Slowly, the man regained consciousness.
Seeing Mr. Ashwin, the conductor grew fearful.
"Sir, I'm really very sorry," he stammered.
"Sorry is accepted only once," Mr. Ashwin said sternly.
Ashwin returned to his seat to rest.
As he passed by, an old lady sitting nearby said to him, "You're the real man of this motherland. Proud of you, son."
"Thank you, Maa ji," Mr. Ashwin replied with respect and went back to rest.
The girl gently touched Deep's reddened hand from the punches. "Is it hurting?"
"A little," Deep said shyly.
"Thank you for helping me. My name is Tanya," the girl smiled, revealing a rough but clean face with unkempt hair.
"No need to thank me. I'm Deep. Where are you headed?" he asked.
"Ketsapo, a small town nestled in the hills. What about you?" Tanya replied.
"Phek, Old Town," Deep said flatly.
At the mention of Phek, Tanya's eyes widened noticeably. Deep could clearly see fear in her gaze.
"Are you really going to Phek?" she asked in a low voice.
"Yes, why?" Deep replied.
Oh, I think Deep Bhaiya is having some nice talk with that didi, Padmini whispered.
I think so too, Priya agreed.
Looks like that girl is thanking Deep, isn't she, Padmini? Mrs. Ashwin said kindly.
Maybe, but I sense there's more than just gratitude, Padmini said mischievously with a grin.
Then, that old lady suddenly stuck her finger into her nose and picked her nose.
Padmini and Priya both grimaced and said, "Yuck!"
"Enough! Now close your eyes and relax," Mrs. Ashwin said firmly.
"I think that's enough," Padmini muttered.
After a while, the bus stopped at Ketsapo. Tanya left the bus, while Deep stood by the exit, watching her go.
I hope I see her again, Deep thought, waving goodbye.
As Tanya disappeared, Deep's face grew tense, deep in thought.
Is what Tanya said about Phek true? Could this research be deadly for me? And is it truly wise for the Ashwin family to stay in Phek? Deep pondered, his expression troubled as he sat back down.
God is great. He will surely protect both me and the Ashwins, he thought solemnly.