How Long?

The time on her mobile phone, that was the first thing she glanced at as soon as she got off the microvan, at her stop.

9:15 pm. The screen read.

Thankfully, the microvan had not been that crowded, but not as deserted of passengers either.

It’s funny, she thought, how the place that was so lively and full of people during the daytime could turn into the creepiest, most eerie place at night.

She tightened the grip around her bag as if it could become her shield and hesitantly took a step forward toward the dark street deprived of streetlights.

She wished she could have made it a little earlier out of her friend’s party but everyone was having so much fun, she barely wanted to leave.

A few lighted houses here and there barely gave the street some light. She took out her mobile phone again. This time, she turned on the torchlight on her phone.

Some noise could be heard nearby. Her eyes quickly darted left and right in the barely lit street. She saw a cart selling momo plates to hungry pedestrians. The smell of the momos filled the atmosphere. The place was surrounded with men, all noisily talking and gulping down momos. Of course the sight had nothing to with hunger for her; she was stuffed from the party. It was a different dreadful feeling that was beginning to rise from the pit of her stomach.

She hung her head low and quickened her pace. How she wish she could blend in with the shadows all around her! A few of them turned around to look at her but remained indifferent with the exception of that.

She only let go of the breath she didn’t realize she was holding, after she was a few steps away from the cart.

The ringing of the phone startled her. It was her mother.

“Where have you reached? Do you know the time?” a stern but worried voice questioned before she could say hello.

“I’m almost there” she quickly said in defense.

“Well, get home soon. You’re very late” snapped her mother and hung up.

She fumbled with her phone, sighing about the flood of dialogues she would have to listen to when she got home.

The anticipation of encountering her mother’s dialogues and what she would say had shortly distracted her. But soon after, she could make out two figures coming from the opposite direction. They sounded young, excited and male.

Her heart raced. She clutched at the sides of her dress. They were almost about to cross each other.

One of the guys nudged the other to look at her. A whistle came at her direction.

“Where is such a lovely lady off to, at this time of the night?” said the friend out loud.

“Perhaps she needs to be accompanied”, said the guy who had nudged.

Their shrill laughter rang in the air.

At that instant, she whispered every prayer she knew. She didn’t answer; she had always ignored such remarks that came her way. She took bigger strides. She was so close to home.

They had stopped and turned around and to her dismay, were walking toward where she was heading.

“Come on” a voice urged. “Won’t you tell us?”

She saw the alley that led to her house. Only a few more steps, she urged herself.

The footsteps behind her had gradually fainted.

She glanced back. The two friends had lost interest and were on their way.

She took in a big sigh of relief as she reached home.

She was safe; but for how long?

How long could she be safe?

Would she always be as lucky?

And most importantly, how long would she have to be scared?