6 Khalid

6

Khalid

I noticed the bus stop close to the gallery and held her close as I led her towards it. I felt a little guilty for stopping her from enjoying in the rain, but the carefree look on her face still remained.

My eyes averted to the couple of drunk men leering at women as they passed by. My hold tightened on Valeria’s hand, the sound of rain falling on the ground and her cane tapping surrounding us.

“Look at that wet little thing,” one of the men whistled, walking towards us. They blocked our path. Two of his friends surrounding us, reeking of cheap beer.

Valeria pressed closer to me, my hand tightening as I felt how tense her body had become. She was afraid. Her icy fingers squeezed mine as she whispered, “Let’s go, Khalid.”

“You heard the lady.” I eyed the three men. “Let us pass.”

But they were too drunk to process what I said as one of them lifted his hand towards Valeria. I grabbed his wrist and glared down at him.

Drawing a slow, steady breath, I said in a controlled tone,