MARRIED 'SINGLES'

CONVERSATION

Happy reading.....

Mahir was deeply engrossed in a phone call, his voice carrying a surprising tenderness that caught Bela's attention.

"Yes, sweetheart. It will take two more hours for me to reach."

Sweetheart?

"Congratulations, darling! You cracked the deal. I am so proud of you."

Darling?

"Okay, we will celebrate your success like every time," he said with a smile.

Bela, biting her nails in a mix of confusion and shock, muttered under her breath, "Oh my god! He's flirting with his girlfriend openly."

Abruptly ending the call, Mahir's gaze fell upon a young girl, about 15 or 16, sitting alone across from Bela's seat. The girl's shoulders trembled as she pulled a small bottle from her handbag.

Mahir couldn't quite grasp what she was doing, but he sensed something was wrong. The girl unscrewed the lid and poured its contents into her mouth.

"Hey! Stop!" Mahir leaped out of his seat, prompting a bewildered frown from Bela.

"What's happening?" she asked, tilting her head and gasping as she saw the teenage girl slumped over.

"BELA, COME HERE, PLEASE!" Mahir's urgent shout made her rush over, confused but willing to help.

"What happened to her?"

"She consumed poison."

"Quick, bring water," Mahir instructed.

Bela hurried back to her seat and grabbed her water bottle. "Hurry up, Bela," Mahir urged as she swiftly returned.

He helped the girl drink some water and looked over at Bela, who seemed visibly rattled by the situation.

"Bela, can you put your hands in mine?" he asked softly.

"Huh?" Bela was taken aback.

With no time to explain, Mahir took her hands in his own. Before Bela could grasp his intentions, he placed her palms flat on the girl's stomach and began pressing gently.

The girl retched violently, expelling the poison from her system. Mahir withdrew Bela's hands and instructed her to help the girl sit up properly.

"Why did you save me?" the girl shouted angrily, pushing Bela away.

"JUST SHUT UP!" Mahir snapped, causing the girl to flinch. Bela placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, silently urging him to calm down. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily.

"Boyfriend issue?" he asked the girl, who nodded meekly, ashamed of her actions.

"Do you even understand what you're doing? What if we weren't in this compartment? What would have happened?" Mahir towered over her, his tone stern.

"I loved him so much, but he said I'm not up to his standards," the girl sobbed. Bela enveloped her in a gentle embrace, trying to console her.

"This is your generation's problem. When you're in love, it's all you see, nothing else. What about those who love you dearly, your family, your friends? Did you think about them even for a minute? Can you imagine the pain your parents would feel finding their grown daughter ready to end her life over a fleeting attraction?"

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't bear the rejection," the girl mumbled tearfully, and Bela's heart went out to her.

"What's your name?"