(Chapter - 31)

  [Accidental Rescue]

  The next day, the blue sky is adorned with scattered cotton-like clouds, and the sunlight feels soft and cozy. Everyone is in class as the teacher gives the lesson. Mehaki attentively listens.

  Teacher : That was all for today’s lesson. Make sure you revise it at home.

  Students : Yes, Sir!

  Teacher : And another thing. Recently, young people like you have been moving on the roads and streets carelessly. So, there have been frequent accidents and injuries nowadays. You must not be like that while crossing the roads or any street. Check both left and right before you do so. Always remember, students… Your lives are more precious than time, money, or anything else. Always look out for safety first.

  Students : Okay, Sir!

  Mehaki : *Are the young people really that careless about their own lives? I'm never like that, and neither are my friends.*

  The class ends. Mehaki, Himika, Nadia, Mahir, and the colorful brothers come out of school together, chattering cheerfully. After some time, they part ways and Mehaki comes home. She gets changed and freshens up.

  Mehaki : I really wanna drink some choco-milk right now.

  Minaki : *Gasp* Sis! I want some too!

  Mehrab : Me too!

  Seeing them rush into her room the second they hear ‘Choco-milk’ makes Mehaki laugh.

  Mehaki : Fine, fine. I'll go get some for us.

  Mehrab : Yay!

  Minaki : Go! Go!

  The sky is still blue, but the scattered white clouds seem to be fading away. Mehaki buys three choco-milks from a convenience store a bit far from her area, since they’re only available there. She also buys some cookies from the bakery next to it. The mild breeze plays with her hair as she walks on the footpath by the road, near the bridge beside the vast wind forest. She stops for a moment to look at the swaying leaves.

  Mehaki : *Yesterday, Karu said something about the wind forest, right? He said wind forest was a way when Asroy disagreed about Obhoy moving quickly to another district. But… How is it possible? Could the forest be magical?*

  She keeps wondering. Suddenly, her eyes shift to a boy coming across the road — a tall boy with black hair and black eyes, wearing a full-sleeve black t-shirt, dark grey trousers, and black sneakers.

  Mehaki : *Hmm… That clothing style looks nice though.*

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  He suddenly stops midway to look back at the wind forest and just freezes like that.

  Mehaki : *Huh? Why isn’t he moving? Did he see something?*

  On the road, a delivery van is coming at high speed from the left, but the boy is unmoved, still frozen like that. Mehaki panics to see that.

  Mehaki : *There's a van coming! Why is he just standing in the middle of the road!? Is he crazy?*

  Mehaki remembers the teacher’s words "Recently, young people like you have been moving on the roads and streets carelessly. So, there have been frequent accidents and injuries nowadays." and rushes to the boy. The van is dangerously close — just seconds away from the boy.

  Mehaki : Hey! Watch out!

  Boy : ?

  The boy turns his face forward and Mehaki pulls him hard to the side at the right moment, saving him from getting hit by the van. They fall on the footpath and the boy hits his head with the railing of the bridge, his hand gets scratched too. Mehaki sighs in relief and turns to the boy who's on the ground beside her.

  Boy : Ugh.

  Mehaki : You! Are you insane? Who freezes in the middle of a road like that!? Do you wish to die?

  Boy : No. I was just looking at something.

  Mehaki : Like that?? A few more seconds and the van would've–

  Mehaki notices blood on his forehead and gets restless.

  Mehaki : Ah! You're injured! It's bleeding!

  Boy : Am I? No wonder it's hurting.

  He raises his left hand to touch his forehead and Mehaki sees the scratches as well.

  Mehaki : Your hands too!

  Boy : …

  Mehaki gets up and helps him stand by pulling his other hand.

  Mehaki : Come with me.

  Boy : ?

  Mehaki : Let's take you to the nearest pharmacy.

  Boy : ? Why?

  Mehaki : To get you treated, why else?

  Boy : There's no need.

  Mehaki : You got hurt while I was saving you, so I should take responsibility. Please, come with me.

  The boy silently stares at Mehaki before following her to a nearby pharmacy. He gets his wounds bandaged and Mehaki pays for it. They talk as they walk out together.

  Boy : …Thanks.

  Mehaki : You don’t have to thank me. Don't ever do something reckless like standing in the middle of a road again. What if no one was there and the van hit you?

  Boy : I would've been fine.

  Mehaki : Would've been fine? Are you serious!? *Uh… The teacher was right… Some young people really are careless about their lives!* Listen, you should never be so careless about your own life. It's more precious than time and money. Do you get it?

  Boy : Yeah…

  The boy fidgets on the bandage of his left hand. Mehaki observes him silently from top to toe.

  Mehaki : *He looks like he's from a well-off family. Deep black eyes and glossy black hair. His hair looks way healthier than mine, haha… Wait, is he a lot older than me? I've been talking to him so casually.* Um, did you mind that I was speaking to you casually? How old are you?

  Boy : Huh? No, it's fine. I'm 17.

  Mehaki : Okay. *Thank goodness. Just a year older.*

  The boy's bandage comes off loose and he struggles to fix it. Mehaki notices and offers help.

  Mehaki : Here, let me tie it.

  Boy : …

  Mehaki : Done.

  Boy : You're being so kind to me from the start. Even though you don’t know me.

  Mehaki : Well, it’s just something any normal human would do. It's nothing much.

  Boy : Hmm… You're pretty.

  He turns to Mehaki, subtly smiling for the first time. His black hair nearly covers the bandage and partially hides his left eye. Mehaki is taken aback by the sudden compliment out of nowhere.

  Mehaki : Eh?

  Boy : Yes. My name is Onol.

  Mehaki : Oh. *Did he just call me pretty out of nowhere?* Onol… That's a unique name.

  Onol : You think so?

  Mehaki : Yeah.

  Onol : What's your name?

  Mehaki : I'm Mehaki.

  Onol : No.

  He slightly leans towards Mehaki. She gets confused but stays composed.

  Onol : Full name.

  Mehaki : *Why is he suddenly asking for my full name? I’m not giving him my real full name.* M-Mehaki Zaman.

  Onol : …Are you sure?

  Mehaki : What? Why wouldn’t I be sure about my own name? *He's really weird.*

  Onol : I don’t know, just felt like it.

  Mehaki : Haha… *Let's not talk with him anymore.* Then, I'll be going now.

  Onol : You're leaving already, Mehak?

  Mehaki : It's Mehaki.

  Onol : Meki.

  Mehaki : *Ugh! What's wrong with this guy?* It's really rude to mess with someone's name like that, you know. Anyways, bye Onol.

  Mehaki starts to walk away with slightly furrowed eyebrows. She takes just a few steps and Onol calls her name again. But this time, with confidence.

  Onol : Mehaki ma'am.

  Mehaki : !?

  She stops to look back. Onol places a hand on his waist and smirks, his eyes half-lidded.

  Onol : At least that's not rude, I guess?

  Mehaki : *What a weirdo.* Bye.

  She continues on her way and Onol keeps staring at her with a smile. Not only him — from the shadows of the forest, another figure watches her walk away.

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