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Security guard Muhammad Taha is recovering in hospital after being stabbed in the stomach, but he'll never be the same after watching his co-worker stabbed to death.
Taha was accompanying Faraz Tahir on his first day on the job, the pair talking about Pakistan, the country they both emigrated from, when chaos erupted through the Bondi Junction shopping centre on Saturday as Joel Cauchi went on a stabbing spree that killed six people.
WARNING: This story contains details some readers may find confronting.
READ MORE: Heroic security guard killed in Bondi Junction stabbing to be farewelled next week
"We were on that floor alone… all of a sudden we heard some noises and people screaming, there were people running," Taha told 9News from his hospital bed.
"We didn't (know) about the attacker, we didn't know how many were dead or what was going on.
"People were running away in the opposite direction.
"All of a sudden, I see a woman lying on the floor."
As they headed through the crowds towards Cauchi, the killer turned and spotted the pair.
They were wearing security guard uniforms, which Taha believes made them a target.
"He all of a sudden noticed us, he jumped on Faraz and he stabbed him in the chest," he said.
"When Faraz turned (around), there was blood all over his chest, I was very shocked.
"At the same time, he jumped over to me.
"I tried to defend myself, I tried to use my hands and somehow he managed to stab me in the stomach.
"I didn't notice I was stabbed, I was just looking after Faraz. I tried to help him."
READ MORE: Shoppers urged to be sensitive to workers' trauma as Bondi Junction Westfield reopens after attack
Wounded and in disbelief, Taha called his best friend, Muhammad Fahad, who also works as a security guard in the shopping centre.
"He rushed towards us. He did everything in his capacity (to help), he helped me, other people and Faraz, so I'm very grateful for him," Taha said.
"There was lots of blood. He put pressure on my side. Because of him, I survived.
"Without him, I wouldn't be here."
Fahad told 9News that he tried his best to help.
"They were badly injured. I tried to give them first aid, both of them," Fahad said.
"I tried as much as I could. I didn't know how many people were there with weapons.
"I feel sad, many people lost their life.
"It's horrible, something I don't want to recall but the picture is still in my mind."
READ MORE: Timeline: How the Bondi Junction Westfield stabbing attack unfolded
Taha did not find out about Tahir's death until three days after the stabbing, a memory he recalls through deep breaths.
"They told me after two, three days that Faraz … he died, I didn't know that, that was really painful.
"I could have been the one (that died). There was (a) very mixed feeling, I (can't) even express it, I was speechless at that moment.
"He was telling me about his family and where he came from, his family – everything just happened so quickly."
He also had a message for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, thanking them for approving his permanent residency and calling for his friend Fahad to get the same recognition.
"I want to thank them for giving me a permanent residency for the country I love, and I want to serve it," he said
"I want that (same recognition) for Fahad, he deserves it."
