It was a Friday.
My girlfriend and I had bunked college to go for a movie. We were late and were walking as fast as possible to reach the theatre.
We were crossing a primary school. Children were streaming out of the school, some with their parents and the other were boarding the buses and vans but one scene in particular caught our attention.
A middle aged man was carrying a 6–7 year old girl who was crying hysterically. It appeared as if she was being taken against her will.
“I wonder who's he?” girlfriend said, visibly worried.
“Maybe her dad, maybe a relative. Let's hurry. Movie is about to start”
And we walked ahead.
A few steps, and girlfriend stopped again.
“What now?” I asked, unable to hide my irritation.
“ Sorry, but I don't want to regret this”, she said and started sprinting towards the school.
I followed. Knowing her, I knew she would do something foolish and brave.
The man was taking the kid towards a Santro. Girlfriend ran and stood right between him and the car.
“May I know, how are you related to this child?”
“ I am … uh…. her… Uncle” the man stammered, visibly confused at the sudden confrontation.
“ Oh, is it so” , taking out the phone from her pocket, “Could you please dial her mom's number, I want to talk to her.”
“ Who are you?” the man asked curtly, “What is this about?”
“Do it” girlfriend said firmly, “ or I shall call the police.”
I don't remember who was more shocked. The man or me. She just threatened a complete stranger, who might just be a dangerous kidnapper.
The man kept staring at us. After a few seconds, he snarled “fine” under his breath and dialled a number.
My girlfriend took the phone, “ Hello.”
“Hello”
“ Ma'am , is your daughter being picked by her uncle from school?”
“ Yes, but who is this?”
“Does your daughter have a mole on her right cheek?”
I could see there was a mole on the girl's left cheek. I stood there, stunned at the brilliance in which she was handling the situation.
“ No she has one on the left cheek” came the answer, “Is she alright?”
“Yes ma'am , she is fine.”
Girlfriend disconnected. We apologised profusely to the man. He was quite impressed by my girlfriend's presence of mind.
As we were walking down towards the theatre, I kept staring at her, with an expression of shock and awe on my face.
“What?”
“Wow”
“Stop it!” she said, blushing.
“WOW.”