CHAPTER 3 - Priya's arrival
The night was very cold. And Saloni was walking on streets that werent hers. But today she was walking as if the street belonged to her. She had a heavy bag on her shoulder. It was filled with Energy Chips. Five thousand chips. Five thousand chances. Five thousand reasons to be afraid. But she wasnt afraid today. Not today.
Where would an orphan girl go to sell such things. Things that could increase peoples strength. Things that could change someones life. But Saloni knew. She knew where to go.
She kept walking. For hours. Through streets she knew. And through streets she didnt know. Until the city itself changed. Until the lights became dim. Until people looked different. They became darker. They became harsh. They became dangerous.
Then that place came.
A shop. Or maybe it wasnt a shop. Just a place. A place where things happen that shouldnt happen. A place where people come who dont really exist. And they sell things that arent legal.
Behind the counter sat a man. An old man. Filled with wrinkles. But his eyes were sharp. Very sharp.
He was looking at Saloni. Exactly the way most men looked at her. Like she was nothing. Like she was just air. Like she didnt matter.
I have something Saloni said. Her voice was steady. Or at least she tried to keep it steady.
Everyone has something girl the man answered. He didnt even look up from his newspaper. He looked bored. Like he had seen all this before.
Saloni opened the bag.
The chips started glittering. Like gold. Like precious things. They caught the light. Like stars shining.
The mans head turned quickly. His eyes widened. For just a moment. Only one moment. He was looking at Saloni like she was something precious. Like she was something important.
Where did you get these from he asked. His voice didnt have boredom anymore. Now there was curiosity.
Does it matter Saloni said.
It does matter the man said. This is the first time youve come with something this big. Before you used to bring just twenty twenty five Energy Chips. Once in a while. But this time youve done something really big. Very big.
I didnt steal anything Saloni lied.
And actually it wasnt a complete lie. She didnt steal it. Not at all. She had earned it. A girl who could do anything to save her honor. To save anyones honor.
The man kept looking at those chips. He picked them up. He touched them. He counted them silently. His fingers worked like a machine. Fast and accurate.
Five thousand he said finally.
Yes.
These chips are worth a very big amount girl the man said. And you want to sell them. Really.
I need food Saloni said. As much as possible. Just that.
The man laughed. A harsh laugh. A broken laugh. A laugh filled with pain.
Girl with five thousand chips you can buy a big house. You can leave this place. You can become someone important. You can become something.
I just need food Saloni repeated.
The man looked at her for a long time. He tried to understand who she was. What she was. Why someone with five thousand Energy Chips was just asking for food. Just food. And nothing else.
Just food the man said again.
But these days food wasnt different anymore. A Food Supplement pill had come. Just one pill could feed you for the whole day. One pill and hunger would die.
Alright the man said. I can do it. But it will be a lot. At least a whole truck will be delivered to your house. And take some Food Supplement pills right now.
Then he asked back Where should I send it.
The orphanage on Fifth Street Saloni said.
That place is a graveyard the man said.
Thats my home Saloni said.
The man nodded like he understood. Maybe he was also an orphan once. Maybe he also lived in a graveyard once.
Your food will come tomorrow the man said. Quietly. No one will know it came from here.
And girl the man said.
What.
Next time you have such things. Dont come here. Go somewhere else. Go far away. Because Im going to close this shop now. And Im going to open a good business. Maybe something right. Something legal.
Saloni heard this and turned back. She started walking through the dark streets again. In her hand was a small bag of Food Supplement pills. A small bag. But precious.
Her feet were hurting. Her heart was hurting even more. But she kept walking.
When she reached the orphanage it was midnight. Everyone was asleep. She went to her small corner. That small place that was hers. That had always been hers. She lay down there.
And then she cried.
Not loudly. Not the way people usually cry. But the way orphans cry. Very quietly. In a way that no one hears. In a way that the world doesnt even know.
She was crying because she had done something terrible to survive. And she would do it again. If she had to. She would do it again. Without thinking.
But she was so tired. And she fell into deep sleep.
The sun came up.
Saloni woke up. For a moment she forgot everything. She forgot about the chips. She forgot about that man. She forgot everything.
Then she remembered. Everything all at once.
She sat up. Her small room was filled with morning light. Weak light. The kind of light orphanages get. Light that doesnt belong to any special place.
Then suddenly she heard voices. Small voices. Laughter. Giggling.
Saloni. Wake up. Wake up.
It was Aisha. And Meera. And little Ravi. All the children of the orphanage. They were standing outside her door.
What Saloni was confused.
Happy birthday they all screamed.
It took her a moment to understand. Today was. Oh. Today was her birthday. She had never known her own birthday. The orphanage had always decided by itself when her birthday was.
Eighteen. She was eighteen now. One year older. One year lonelier. One year more apart from the world.
But when she came out there was a small cake. A bad cake. Made from the cheapest things. But it was there. Waiting for her. And she liked this cake more than any expensive cake in the world.
We made it Aisha said. For your birthday.
Saloni was looking at these children. At these orphans. At these brothers and sisters who were like her. And they had done all this for her.
She sat down. And they all started singing. Happy Birthday. A simple out of tune song. And Saloni blew out the candles. Both of them. Because they had money for just two candles.
She wished for something. She didnt know what. Maybe just to know who she really was.
She was finishing breakfast when a car came.
Not a normal car. A rich persons car. The kind of car that doesnt belong at an orphanage. Black. Shiny. Expensive.
Everyone stopped. The children. The caretakers. Everyone.
A girl got out of the car.
Priya.
The girl who was in the alley. The girl who became a victim. The girl who was scared. Actually that day Saloni was going to steal Energy Chips from Priya. But then Rohan came. And he wanted to take advantage of Priya. And Saloni was also a girl. So that day Saloni saved Priya.
Priya was walking toward Saloni. Like she owned this whole place.
Saloni she said. She said her name like they were old friends. Like there was a long story between them.
How did you find me Saloni asked.
It wasnt hard Priya said. You let me go. So I told my father to find you. It took only a few hours. Not me. My father found you. Why Saloni asked. Why are you looking for me.
Priya smiled. There was sadness in that smile. Or maybe gratitude. Or both.
Because you saved me Priya said. Because something else could have happened to me that day. And because I have a proposal for you.
The orphanage director was surprised. Rich families dont come to orphanages to take girls. Not as bodyguards.
But this was Priyas proposal.
She will be my bodyguard Priya said. Im going to another city. And Im going to a low level academy there. And I need security. And I thought of you.
Then Saloni said If I go there then I have one condition. You have to take care of this orphanage of mine. I dont want anything for myself.
When the children and the caretaker standing behind heard this their feelings for Saloni were already good. And now tears could come from their eyes.
Priya said Just this much. Alright. Now whatever is needed here we will take care of it.
Then the director standing next to Priya looked at her. Like asking permission. Then he came to Saloni and said We are already late. So you the bodyguard of the lady have to get ready right now.
Saloni nodded yes.
Priya said If you have anything to take take it.
Saloni went to her room. She had almost nothing. Some clothes. A small picture. Of someone. Maybe her parents. Maybe just a picture someone gave her.
She put everything in a bag.
And then she left. From her lonely home.
But before she left she told the caretaker A truck will come today. It will have Food Supplement pills. Now you distribute them. In food. Give the children as much as they want.
When she said this the caretaker was shocked.
Then Saloni looked back. The children were watching her. There were tears in Aishas eyes.
Will you come back Aisha asked.
Saloni wanted to say yes. But she had learned. You dont make promises like that. About coming back. About anything.
The low level academy was very big. No one knew what would happen there. And what was waiting for her there.
Saloni wasnt sure what would really happen.
As she was leaving she had only one thought in her mind. How would the orphanage be after she left.