Jeevan pushes our bundle onto a bench and lets out a sigh as he slides in next to it.
The restaurant feels like a safe place, full of people having fun, and I start to relax a little. Jeevan gives me a wave as I get closer to the counter and I smile back at him.
When it’s my turn to order I’m not sure what to ask for, so I show the girl the things I want in the picture behind her. She hands me a tray with food all wrapped up in paper, like little presents.
“Have a nice day,” she says, taking my money.
I plonk the tray down in front of Jeevan and sit beside him.
“Wow.” He stares at everything as if he wants to gobble it all down in one go.
I dunk my finger into the soft, fluffy drink and lick the delicious creamy liquid, then I take a bite of the bouncy bread and crunchy vegetable burger inside it. “Mmm … this tastes so good.” I chew slowly, savoring the new flavors.
“Oh yeah … It’s amazing.” Jeevan crams the bread into his mouth and stuffs the straw in at the same time, slurping the drink noisily.
Once we’ve finished I empty my purse onto the tray. “Now, let’s see how much money we’ve got left.”
“What about getting one of those yellow taxis?” asks Jeevan. “That way we’ll get straight to where your papa is.”
“I’m not sure how much it’ll cost, but I hope we have enough.” I count the coins and the rupee notes. “Oh, Jeevan, I can’t believe we’re going to find him at last.”
“I know … After everything we’ve been through.” He nudges me with his elbow. “It’s actually going to happen.”
“But let’s wait until the rain stops.” Outside the window a row of people have gathered and are slumped against the café, pulling dirty blankets over themselves to shelter from the rain that’s still lashing hard against the glass. I shudder and split the rest of my meal with Jeevan and we eat as slowly as possible, staying a little longer.
One of the waiters starts to clear our table. “You can’t stay here all night,” he says roughly, picking the tray up.
“We know that, sir,” I say, trying to be as polite as I can. “But it’s just that it’s raining so hard.”
“Come on, get out of here!”
“OK,” says Jeevan, grabbing our things. “There’s no need to be rude, we’re going … come on, Asha.”
I stare at the rain flowing like a river outside and slowly open the door.
A crowded taxi zooms past, soaking us with muddy water. “Yech … How are we going to get one of these taxis to stop?” I ask. “They’re hardly going to pay any attention to two kids like us.”
“I’m not sure,” Jeevan says, looking around.
“Excuse me, darlings.” A young woman appears from nowhere and sidles up to us. “My name’s Nina. I’m new in the city and I’m looking for a good place to stay. Do you know anywhere?”
“I—I’m Jeevan.” His voice has gone all stuttery.
The woman smells of perfume and carries a fancy leather handbag. I wonder if she might be an actress. Krishen, who gave us a lift in his truck, said Zandapur was full of them.
“We’re new ourselves,” I say. “So I’m afraid we can’t help you.”
“We’re trying to get a taxi to stop,” says Jeevan.
“Would you like to share one?” She gives a shiny smile. “That way I can find a hotel and it will be cheaper for you … Two boys like you shouldn’t be hanging around in the dark by yourselves, you know.”
Jeevan turns his back to her and moves closer to where I’m standing. “What do you think?” he whispers.
My pendant hangs heavy and strange against my chest. “I know she seems nice and everything … but let’s find our own taxi.”
“What are you two whispering about?” She puts her arms around our shoulders and pulls us gently toward her. “How old are you? Let me guess … Thirteen? I’ve got a little brother just like you.” She hooks her finger under Jeevan’s chin. “Look, you won’t get any of these taxis to stop for you … How about we jump in this one?” She waves her arm into the road. “I bet you’ve never been in one of these yellow ambassadors.”
I swallow, my heart thudding, feeling like I need to run, but she’s got her arm tight around us again and the taxi has already slowed to a halt, pushing open the door so we can’t get past.
“Come on, it’ll be fine … I promise.” She’s speaking quickly now and shoves us into the waiting taxi, squeezes in beside us, and slams the door shut.
We’re barely in the car before it swerves onto the road, sending us flying across the slippery seats. Fear grips me.
The woman gives a high laugh. “First to one of the central hotels and then wherever these boys are going.” She opens her bag. “I’ll pay.”
“Jeevan,” I say under my breath. “I want to get out.” He’s not listening to me, though—he’s watching as the lady pulls out a small box with gold writing all over it. “The best barfi in the whole of the city.” She opens it, offering us a chunk.
Jeevan puts his hand in straightaway and stuffs one into his mouth. “Mmm …” he says, chewing. “Delicious.”
“And a special one for you,” she says, pulling out a triangle of barfi with shiny silver leaf painted onto it. She crams it into my mouth.
“Go on, Asha … It’s so yummy.”
“No!” I protest, grabbing her arm. “Stop it. I don’t want it!” I swipe the barfi onto the floor, spitting out the bits she stuffed into my mouth.
“There’s no need to get angry … I’m only being kind.” She takes out a red lipstick and begins stroking it on. “Look, your friend is tired.”
“Yeah.” Jeevan begins to yawn, blinking
