It did bare resemblance with the Disney princesses attire except this was the more modest version of it. The head scarf and face veil is of the same material and colour. When I complete dressing myself, I think I look as if I did stumble out from a fairytale.
Yet I'm no less nervous as I study my reflection in the mirror. Out on that ramp, countless people will be seeing me!
Mister Cortes notifies me that I would be due on the stage in thirty minutes. So I decide to fare my time outside of my cubicle. That's when I notice several feet away, the little girl named Arielle in distress. She's kicking and screaming at a brawny man of a medium height clad in a black suit and a tie.
His mouth pressed into a thin line, eyes hidden behind black shades. He had an expensive blue tooth device attached to his ears.
Right now he was dragging Arielle by both arms away to the exits. The clamor of voices in the gymnasium made it difficult to hear what the little girl is screaming for.
◆◆◆
Glossary:
Nikkah: Arabic Islamic word for marriage ceremony.
AstaghfirAllah: Arabic for "May God forgive me "
Hijab: Islamic Head covering for women.
Imam: An Islamic Cleric
Chapter 2
At my vantage, I sense that something seems out of order. I wish to halt that man from taking her away but what if it could just be her father?
My family always made it clear to stay out of people's businesses on the streets. So I relent to just watching as they exit the gymnasium.
"Arielle !!?"
Within a few seconds the two girls Katie and Bev rush out from their cubicle.
They look around frantically. "Arielle !! Where are you ??!!"
Uh oh.
My suspicions proved right, indeed something was out of balance.
Bev approaches me. "Hey excuse me ? Have you seen a little red haired girl about seven years old, this height with a black frock ?" Her voice trembling and eyes wild with concern.
"Oh my God, Rachael will kill me!" Katie shouts over as she worriedly scans the crowd. "Where the hell is that brat ?!"
"I saw that little girl!” Immediately, I intervene, catching their attention. “A man dressed in a black suit with shades was taking her away through those exits." I point quickly towards the exits and without a second thought -start rushing towards them hurriedly along with the two girls in tow.
"Oh my God, why did she leave with a total stranger ?!" Bev yells furiously. "Katie didn't your sister teach her kids any better?"
I provide a guilty glance back at the girls as I divulge. "He was restraining her.. she was trying to free herself ! I assumed he could have been her dad or something."
"Oh no, no, no!" Katie informs, dread lacing her voice. "She doesn't live with her dad!"
When we exit out, we rapidly scan the parking lot,at the clusters of people forming around and the ones strolling along.
Sunlight was almost disappearing as the evening sky expands over above us. It would be difficult to find Arielle if it got any darker.
"We need to split up and ask around !" I order firmly to the two girls. "There is no time for standing and thinking!"
They nod quickly in agreement and hasten off in separate directions just as I do. Some few minutes pass as I receive only answers in the negative from people walking along.
How could anyone not have noticed a screaming child and a creepy guy that looks like he belongs on the movie set of Men In Black ?
I spot a family having a picnic. They are reclining on one of the benches where the shrubbery begins and leads on to the start of a wooded trail. They could have been sitting here for long, so I dare to ask them.
"Oh yeah, there was this dude dressed like some agent, he was chasing after a little red haired girl that way!" A guy in his late teens, points towards the trail of trees leading deeper into the park. "He was calling after her, saying something like come back to your father! So we didn't think to stop him."
"Thanks! That’s all the info I need!" I nod in gratitude and hasten in that direction.
The clusters of people are left behind. Soon as I rush deeper into the park, there is barely anyone else there. I am left surrounded by trees and bushes, with only the sound of birds chirping.
I stand still and listen carefully. For a few seconds I hear nothing but nature until there it was- a faint yelling of a male voice. It is barely audible, I start trekking towards it.
As I approach closer, I hear perfectly well and spot the hard to miss black suit of the man in all this greenery. I'm grateful for the dapples of sunlight that pours forth enough to reveal him standing before a very gnarly ancient tree.
Tip-toeing closer, I notice something black stuck in the branches. I discover that it is Arielle in her black frock. She's perched up on the branches. Her tiny slipper clad feet, swinging back and forth.
I hastily conceal myself behind the trunk of another tree.
"Come on down Arielle! Be a good girl !" The man goads.
"No! I want my mummy !" Arielle screams.
She draws out one of her tiny fists from her dress pocket, then tosses the contents at the man's head. "I don't want your stupid lollies'n sweets !!"
The man brings up his arms in defence from the hard candies targeting his head. I hear him curse angrily under his breath before he retreats a few steps.
He proceeds to slip out his phone and then immediately starts conversing with someone.
"Boss she's givin me trouble." He lifts his hand up to nervously scratch at his head.
His suit blazer flapps back by the breeze briefly. Just as it does, I notice a gun holstered at his belt. My eyes widen in a mixture of fear and shock.
A realisation hits me, this is no ordinary man. I sense a queasy feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. I'm not sure anymore if it is a good idea being here alone without any police presence.
"Put her on the phone ? Uh can't do that boss." The man shifts the phone to his other ear before nervously adding. "She’s sitting on a tree branch..far out of my reach."
Suddenly, he distances the phone away from his ears. He cringes at the obvious yells of chastisement bursting forth from the other end of the line.
"She bit me boss..what did you expect me to do then? I mean you clearly said not to restrain her with too much force." He tries expounding. "Uh..affirmative boss."
The call ends abruptly, he directs his attention on her. "Well Arielle you leave me no choice, I guess I'll just have to climb up there and get you myself."
The man takes off his shades and pockets them. He studies the branches, trying to figure out which one to maneuver him to the top.
Arielle slips off one of her shoes and tosses it at his head. He yelps. "Ouch! You lil bitch-I mean sweety don't do that !"
"I want my mummy nowwww!" She wails.
My mind percolates with apprehension as I frantically look around myself again. I have to think of something quickly inorder to keep this dangerous man away from Arielle.
I survey my surroundings, searching for any people around. Much to my dismay, we three were the only ones this far out.
But then an idea dawns on me. I am still carrying my shopping bag of full of clothes. I rummage through it and get ahold of a can of hair spray sample that Mister Cortes had provided.
I peer back at the man. He is reaching up for a branch. I tip-toe out from behind the tree trunk with the hair spray in hand, concealing it behind my back.
Beads of sweat roll down at my temples. I desire to snatch off my face veil but I knew better.
Whoever this guy is, I don't need him to see my face. Inhaling deeply and trying to brush aside the fear clawing at my mind, I start taking steps forward in to their direction.
"I said get me my mummy now!" Arielle tosses her other shoe at the man's head before suddenly getting distracted by my presence behind him. Her eyes widen.
I hastily place a finger on my lips, gesturing her to keep quiet. She immediately cl
amps her tiny hand over her mouth.
Ufff ! could she have been anymore obvious ?!
Luckily for me the man doesn't notice as he focuses on grasping at a branch.
"Hey, mister!" I manage to say, albeit in a shaky tone.
I was close enough to him. I place the finger upon the nozzle of the spray bottle, ready to brandish it as soon as he turns around.
Which briskly he does. He reaches for his gun as soon as his surprised gaze meets mine. But not before I spray him right in the eyes. He lets out a yell as his hands defensively swat upto his eyes.
"Arielle, quick jump into my arms !" I order, reaching out for her.
"I want my mummy!" she shook her head as tears trail down her red cheeks.
"I'll take you to your mummy! Your aunt Katie, she's worried for you! You must trust me!" I fearfully glance back and forth between her and the man.
He continuously rubs at his eyes. I swiftly form another idea to coax this kid.
"I'm princess jasmine!" I construe weakly. "Trust me!"
"How ?" She queries, bottom lip trembling. Spark of curiosity shines in her eyes.
"Only princesses come to the rescue!" I divulge pleadingly, hoping she'd accept that excuse enough.
She hiccups a sob and stares at me for a split second on before jumping forward. I catch her victoriously. Hoisting her over to my back, I sprint forward away from the man.
"Get the fuck back here!!" He roars monstrously. "Or I'll fūcking shoot !!"
I freeze in dread as I glance back. He was still rubbing at his eyes instead of reaching for his gun. This relieves my fear and I continue running.
◆◆◆
We finally reach the safety of the recreation center and the throngs of excited people. Suddenly, Arielle is pulled away from my back.
"Arielle Marie Doucette! How many times did we tell you to not go wandering around without us?!" Katie shakes the child angrily before clasping her into an embrace. "Thank God you're safe ! You nearly got me into trouble!"
"Thank you so much !" Bev takes ahold of my hands. "Thank you sooo much for returning the lil rascal to us."
"Don't thank me, all thanks is to God." I pant, trying to catch my breath, my figure still trembling. "I think you should definitely alert the police..some strange man with a gun had her in his possession!"
Immediately the two girls faces paled in apparent fear. "No, don't call the police !" They both declare in unison.
I give them a questioning look of exasperation.
"Katie, I told you we should have gotten Serge and Grigori to accompany us! But you wouldn't listen !" Bev frantically paces back and forth. "This wouldn't have happened if they were here!"
"Let's just get inside for now!" Katie ignores her and rushes into the building, with Arielle still in her arms.
Bev glares after her before following. I tag along while glancing cautiously over my shoulders.
When we get to our cubicles, Mister Cortes stands there stiffly with a stern expression along Leila.
I glance at the massive watch board on the wall ahead, it was 6pm. I had obviously missed the fashion show.
"Where were you? Didn't you know you were to model for Mister Cortes?!" Leila chides, disappointedly.
I hastily commence to explain. "I'm so sorry, I-there was a bit of a problem. This girl nearly got abducted and her family needed help ! And I -"
"Miss Kashani if you could just return the dress now, I'd be grateful." Mister Cortes quietly interjects through my valid excuse. He's completely disinterested in knowing the reason why I had to bail out on him.
I heave a sigh of embarrassment while I comply. "Alright, I'll go change."
As I complete unpinning the hijab and veil, tiny arms encircle my waist. I yelp in fright and look down to find Arielle grinning up at me.
"Arielle! Why didn't you knock!" Bev yells, she pokes her head into my cubicle. "I'm so sorry, please excuse her rudeness. I always tell my friend to fix her niece's manners in her mums absence!"
"It's alright, please come in." I laugh and crouch down to give Arielle a hug.
"I love you princess Jasmine." Arielle confesses, glossy eyed. "I finally got to meet you ! My favoritist princess."
"It's favorite not favoritist, how many times does mummy have to correct that darling ?" Intrudes another female voice and we glance up to spot Rachael standing at the entrance.
She is holding in her arms, a little boy of around four years of age. I figure that must be Charlie.
"Mummy! Mummy!! Princess Jamine rescued me today!" Arielle hastens towards her mother.
Rachael quirks an eyebrow questioningly at me before glancing at Bev again.
"Has Arielle been troubling you?" She asks Bev.
"Oh no! Not at all!" Bev chuckles nervously. She crouches at Arielle's level, speaking through clenched teeth and an artificial smile. "What did Katie and I tell you five minutes earlier ?"
Arielle gasps in apparent remembrance as she quickly looks upto her mother. "We were just playing some games mummy ! I was being good !"
Rachael eyes them both incredulously. Yet before she could comment any further, Charlie ends up vomiting over her blouse.
"Ewww!!" Arielle pinches her nose, giggling.
Bev looks at me apologetically before ushering Arielle out along with Rachael from the cubicle in search of towelettes and napkins.
"I'm Beverly Townsend by the way, but Bev for short." She extends her hand out.
"Sanam Kashani." I reply, shaking her hand. I knew she was here to further question me about what had unfolded an hour ago. So I filled her in on the details.
"Please, don't mention this incident to anyone else." She pleads right away.
Before I could ask why, she gave me a look of relief and states. "I'm glad you were wearing a face veil when you confronted that man." She shakes her head exasperatedly as she ponders out loud. "The security here must have been tipped off to allow access to him so easily!"
My brows knit in puzzlement. "Who was he? Why was he abducting the little girl?"
"You don't need to worry about it anymore. Fortunately you were wearing a veil so he never got to see you!" She looks me in the eyes reassuringly as she clasps my hands into hers. "Thanks again!"
I was left feeling uneasy as soon as she departs from my cubicle. She didn’t appear comfortable on my further intrusion of the matter.
Exactly what the hell was going on ?
I swiftly change into my clothes and hijab. I want to go home already, the unease has triggered a headache.
I find Leila and explain. "I'm not feeling too well."
"I'm quite tired myself!" She adds as she holds her pregnant tummy.
We decide to let Naheed know we were leaving early. She's in no mood for us to remain anymore either.
"Fine go ! I don't want to see you two puking all over here. Save me the embarrassment!" Naheed flicks one of her hands dismissively as she pins up Najma's hair into an up-do.
Deviant Fixation Page 2
