The knob of the door twisted. A woman appeared as the door swung inside. Saree as a tradition, covered her. Part of plates were tucked in her waist. She stood besides a small bucket with last night's leftovers. Strands of hair slipped from her bun touching her cheeks. Her slippers clapped the floor as she stepped down carefully pulling plates from her waist. A truck was parked i front of her house on the other side of the divider. She grabbed the bucket and walked towards the truck. She turned the bucket upside down and banged it twice.
On this side of the divider, cars, motorbikes formed a queue waiting for signal to turn green. An 8 year old girl stood near the pole of signal. Her curly untidy light brown hairs were unevenly cut. The dress she wore could fit twice her body. Tires struggled to grip as break was pressed hard stopping the car witb a jerk. The girl moved towards the car knocking the window gently. She stood stretching her palm towards the driver. Even though her palms were empty but her eyes were filled with hope.
She knocked the window again, "Sahab, please give me 5 rs." Her eyebrows were raised as she starred at him. The driver wore a black tux. He was holding the steering wheel. His wrist was ornamented with an expensive watch. His focus was on the signal board; clearly trying to avoid even a glimpse of her. The engines ignited, people started buzzing horns as the signal was about to turn green. The girl stepped forward as the traffic cleared. A five year old boy was standing with sparkling. He looked at her hands, "We wouldn't have suffered if our parents were with us" A drop of tear flowed from the edge of her eye.
Tea bubbled in a cup as the vendor poured from the jug. Three men were sitting near the tea stall. The vendor handed them cups one by one. The person sitting near the stall held passed on the tea holding a newspaper in other hand.
"Country is becoming poor day by day, all because of this bribed government" one said. Others nodded along.
"Golden temple of Calcutta distributed free food to poor all the year. This is their 48th consecutive year" one of them read out loud. "Wow. I am proud of my country", other said playing witb his moustache. The girl walked towards them overhearing their discussion. She stepping near them and said, "Sahab, please give me some money".
"Go from here" their eyebrows popped out making ugly faces. She bravely walked one step closer to them, "Do you really deserve India?"
