Aziza couldn’t stop touching Ryan. As soon as her hands rested in her lap, one of them strayed to settle on his thigh. When he squeezed her hand, she gave up pretending. She’d never been a clinging vine, hanging on to her man, but after the experiences of the past week, she was under no illusion about her need for this man. His solid presence was a constant reminder that her ordeal was over, that she was safe. Sighing, she leaned her head on his shoulder.
She was the last of the fifteen women to undergo an examination because she couldn’t tear herself away from him. And as sour as she was after days of not showering, Ryan hadn’t left her side. Now that was some straight up love right there.
Aziza had just finished talking with her mother in a tearful reunion on his cell phone when a nurse called her name and beckoned her forward.
Ryan rose with her and went as far as the door of the examination room.
The female doctor introduced herself, then conducted a thorough exam which took some time. Earlier, a nurse collected blood and a urine sample for testing. While the doctor gently poked and prodded Aziza, her gaze swept around the high-tech, silver-and-grey facility. Keeping her mind occupied meant ignoring the silly tears that sprang to her eyes for no good reason.
After allowing her to pull on a clean hospital gown and step into a pair of slippers, the motherly woman said, “I don’t see any signs of sexual activity. Does that mean you were not molested?”
“Thank God, no.” Aziza said, then sighed on remembering ten-year-old Sunita.
Her story was enough to make an adult weep. How a man could find a prepubescent child attractive was a mystery to Aziza. Sunita was still a baby and needed protection.
“I know about patient confidentiality and all that, but the little girl you examined just before me, will she be okay? Physically, I mean. I only ask because I’ve been taking care of her.”
She stared at Aziza, then her lips twisted. “I will tell you because it’s clear to me that you are concerned … in a good way. She has been sexually molested, but seems to be healthy. The tests will say for certain.”
“Thank you,” Aziza whispered. “I appreciate you for telling me.”
The doctor nodded. “I am a mother, so I understand how you feel. Take care of her.”
Nodding, Aziza said, “I will.”
On her return to the secure waiting area designated for the group, Aziza sat next to the girl, who slipped her hand into hers. Her stringy hair and sad, yet hopeful eyes made Aziza want to do whatever it would take to bring a smile to her face.
Close to the doorway, the woman Ryan introduced as Angela stood with her back facing them. She wore the same combat gear as the men and was part of a conversation taking place outside the room. Every so often, she looked over her shoulder as if to reassure herself they were all right.
When she stepped out of the doorway, two women walked inside. One of them was a tall, Black woman with a low Afro and the other was a tiny, Asian woman.
Angela, though fierce in all black, wore a warm smile. “Ladies, meet Rae.” She pointed to the African-American female. “And this is Linda. These ladies will take care of you.”
Instead of being excited, the newly released women huddled closer together on the benches, the soup in their hands forgotten.
Rae and Linda shared a glance, then Rae addressed them with both hands open. “Our circumstances may be different, but we, too, have had our challenges. I know it’s hard to trust anybody right now, but you’ll see that we are here to help. Nothing else.”
Linda nodded, then waved toward the door. “If you can’t trust us, let me reassure you that you can trust this lady right here.”
A stately woman wearing cream linen walked into the room. Her honey-gold skin glowed with good health and her serene smile encouraged confidence. She nodded to acknowledge Rae and Linda, then addressed the disheveled group. “I’m Amanda Maharaj, and you will be my guests for the next few days while we come up with a plan. In that time, you can decide if you wish to return home or remain in Durabia.”
She clasped both hands in front of her and continued, “We know you’ve been through a lot, but bear with us. Now, it’s time for us to transport you to your accommodations.”
They breathed a collective sigh, then got to their feet, but Sunita stayed next to Aziza and gripped her hand tighter. Giving the child a reassuring smile, Aziza murmured, “Don’t worry. You’ll be all right.”
Ryan appeared in the doorway, followed by Daron and Dro, whom he’d introduced earlier. He explained that they were Kings of the Castle, brothers to Shaz. The mention of Shaz’s name was enough for Aziza. The men now stood against the wall as the women filed out of the holding area.
Brothers? They must all come from different mothers.
Sunita didn’t leave Aziza’s side. In front of them, the small Asian woman waited patiently while Aziza cupped Sunita’s cheek and looked her in the eyes. “I know you don’t want to go, but I’ll come and see you later in the day, okay?”
She stared back at Aziza for a few seconds before nodding. Still, she didn’t get to her feet.
As Ryan approached, an idea came to Aziza. She held out a hand to him.”D’you have paper and a pen?”
“Sure.” He pulled a folded sheet of paper from the protective vest he wore. He made a seam and tore off the bottom edge of the notepaper. Then he removed a pen from one of the leg pockets in his pants and held both toward her.
“Are you using the same telephone number here?” Aziza asked.
“Yeah, but—”
Aziza scribbled his contact information and wrote both their names. “I’m giving it to Sunita, so she can call me.” She smiled at the little girl. “Is that okay, baby?”
She nodded, and her eyes sparkled.
Aziza tapped her under the chin and gave her the paper. “See you in a while, okay?”
Sunita released her and left with Linda.
When she was out of sight, Aziza rested against the wall and let out her breath.
“You okay?” Ryan asked, sitting next to her.
“I’m right as rain, but need a bed, a shower, and maybe a little shut-eye.”
“That doesn’t sound too hard.” Ryan stood and helped her up by the elbow. His fingers surrounded her arm as a prolonged wail cut through the air.
“What the hell?” Ryan propelled her forward with him, and they rushed to the doorway.
A solid force knocked the air out of Aziza, who instinctively put out her arms and encircled the human dynamo that crashed into her stomach.
Sunita sobbed with her face buried in Aziza’s dress and squeezed her tight. “What’s the matter?” she asked, alarmed. She stroked Sunita’s hair while her heart beat at the pace of runaway racehorse.
Linda frowned as she rushed up to them. “I’m not sure what just happened—”
“I think I do,” Ryan said, as he sped through the entrance of the health center.