He became a bus helper way too early in life. Yasin Miah, 14, lost his father last year and mother seven years ago. Orphaned, he had to take on the responsibility also of bringing up his younger brother Arafat Miah.

But the boy who was struggling to make ends meet is now fighting for life at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He suffered 14 percent burns when pickets set fire to a bus in Narayanganj on February 25.

He was sleeping inside the bus, parked near a petrol station, along with fellow bus helper Shakil and another staffer named Mohim. They could not get back home in Matuail for lack of transport due to the ongoing blockade and hartals enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Shakil, 18, who suffered 60 percent burns, did not survive. He died on February 28.

Though himself in flames, Shakil had made sure that Yasin got out.

"I'm still alive," said Yasin, grieving the loss of Shakil.  "I did not have anything but a friend who gave his life for me."

They were the helpers of Asean Paribahan that operates on Dhaka-Narayanganj route, and they shared the dream of becoming a driver one day.

"I could remember Shakil struggling to have me thrown out of the bus through the window even after he was on fire," said Yasin.

Shakil was already severely burnt when he came out. Mohim had managed to jump off the bus earlier than they two did.   

"Shakil was the only son of his parents," said Yasin, adding that he could not take this pain anymore. 

Doctors at the hospital said it would be about a month before Yasin could get back to normal life.

When this correspondent paid Yasin a visit at the burn unit around 1:00pm yesterday, he was lying in a bed with no one attending him. His poor uncle Jahangir and his wife Fatema were in no position to help him in this regard. Still, they are      the ones Yasin and Arafat now rely  on.

Yasin has been saving whatever he could from his daily income of Tk 300 for the future of his 12-year-old brother Arafat. He worked 14 hours a day and six days a week.  

He is still determined to help   Arafat get a better life. All he cares about now is Arafat. He even warned his uncle against bringing Arafat to the hospital since Arafat would not be  able to stand the sight of his charred face.

Although he is hopeful of recovery, he no longer dreams of becoming a driver.

"I would be anything but a driver."