Malik tried to smile, but his face twisted in pain. His ankle had twisted badly during the fall. He tried to stand—and couldn’t.

As traffic resumed, Malik noticed his papers scattered across the street—his resume, ID, and interview invitation trampled and torn. He glanced at his watch. 9:40 a.m. His interview had already started.

The woman offered to drive him to a hospital, but Malik shook his head. “It’s fine,” he said through clenched teeth. “Just… make sure she’s okay.”

He limped away slowly, every step heavier than the last, realizing the dream job he’d worked for years was gone.

And yet, in that moment, all he could think about was the little girl’s trembling hands—and the fact that she was alive.