Chapter 1
Scene 1: The Girl in the Mercedes
"Get in," said the voice as a sleek white Mercedes pulled up.
Inside, on the back seat, sat a dusky-skinned girl wearing sunglasses. Her golden hair gently touched her shoulders. Her chin was raised proudly, neck straight, exuding an unshakable confidence. She gazed out of the car's left window.
Suddenly, the car came to a halt. Without hesitation, she turned her head toward the driver, shifting her gaze from the left to the center.
"Drive properly, Mister. What's going on?" she asked sharply.
The driver responded humbly, "Sorry, Madam."
"Alright, alright," she replied, brushing it off but firm. "Let's move. I hate being late—anywhere. You know that, don't you? Just drive carefully."
The driver nodded in agreement, visible through the rear-view mirror. She waved her hand forward and returned her focus to the book in her hands, eyes now fixed.
The car moved again, soon stopping at a red light.
This driver had been with Madam for years. He knew exactly when to stop and how long to wait. Crossing red lights was not his style.
Madam looked out of the window again and noticed a flower shop nearby.
"Listen," she said, "After the signal, pull over near that flower shop."
"Yes, Ma'am," the driver replied, nodding respectfully.
She added, "Do me a favor—buy a bouquet. I'm not really the type to go flower shopping. So, please, quickly grab one. Hurry up, Ravi."
"Yes, Madam," Ravi replied.
He parked the car and headed to the shop.
Scene 2: The Unexpected Guest
While Ravi was gone, Madam's phone rang. She picked it up and stepped out of the car, closing the door behind her. Resting her left elbow on the car's roof, she continued her call casually.
Suddenly, a small boy rushed toward her and hid behind her.
Before she could get a good look or ask anything, four or five scruffy men came running from the opposite direction. Clearly beggars, they headed straight for her.
Sensing danger, Madam opened the car door and motioned the boy to get in quickly. The boy obeyed without hesitation, darting inside and hiding behind the seat.
The men arrived and stopped, scanning the area but seeing no trace of the boy.
One of them asked her, "Madam, did you see a boy run by here? He stole money—from that blind man's bowl."
"Blind man?" Madam repeated, cutting the call and slipping her phone into her pocket.
"Whose blind man?" she demanded.
One of the men pointed to a beggar standing behind him.
Madam looked at the man and said with sarcasm, "Wow! Blind men can now run this fast? Impressive. This country may not be that developed yet, but clearly, some are evolving rapidly."
She turned to the group and snapped, "There's no boy here. You won't find anyone. But if you people don't leave right now, I'll be the one sending you somewhere—you understand? Now move!"
Just then, Ravi returned holding a bouquet.
"Hey! What's going on here?" he shouted. "Why are you crowding around?"
Madam got back into the car and said calmly, "Ravi, let's go. Ignore them."
Ravi climbed into the driver's seat, placed the bouquet beside him, and started the engine.
Madam glanced at the flowers and smiled. "Wow. Good choice, Ravi. These are beautiful."
Scene 3: The Boy Behind the Seat
As the car began moving, the boy slowly peeked up from behind the seat. Ravi spotted him and asked in surprise, "Madam, who is this?"
"Relax, Ravi. Just drive," she replied calmly.
Then she looked at the boy. "Come here. Sit properly."
The boy quickly climbed onto the seat.
Madam removed her sunglasses and asked, "Great. Now tell me, young man—why did you steal that man's money?"
The boy answered without guilt, "His bowl had lots of coins. I just took a few."
"But why?" she asked.
"I haven't eaten anything since morning. I was starving. The other uncle didn't come today, so I took some from this one's bowl. Usually, he doesn't even move, but this one suddenly ran after me!"
Hearing this, Madam gently brushed her face with her hand. Her soft brown eyes stared at the boy for a long moment. She could see the truth—he probably did this often, taking money from beggars' bowls. But today, he messed with the wrong one—someone who wasn't actually blind.
She also noticed from his face that this boy didn't look like he belonged on the streets. He looked like someone from a decent home.
Scene 4: A Glimpse into Gaurav's Life
Madam looked at the boy kindly.
"So, where are your parents?" she asked softly.
"My father lives in that house," the boy replied, pointing vaguely. "And the woman he lives with... she's not my mother. She doesn't feed me," he added quickly.
Hearing that, Madam's eyes welled up slightly. She asked gently, "Do you go to school?"
"Yes," the boy nodded, "but even there the teacher hits me."
"And why is that?" she asked, surprised.
"That lady who stays with my father... when he gives me money for books and pencils, she takes it away," he replied with a tinge of sadness.
Madam understood. "Tell me something—can you read numbers? Recognize them?"
"Yes, I can read English too!" the boy answered brightly.
"Wow! So, you're quite an educated little gentleman," Madam said, smiling.
She reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper. Writing down her name and phone number, she handed it to the boy.
"Here—keep this with you always. Starting tomorrow, you'll go to school properly. And if you ever need anything, call me on this number, okay? If that woman at home says anything to you or does anything, you call me. Understood?"
The boy nodded seriously.
Scene 5: A Hot Meal for the Hungry
Madam turned to the driver and said, "Ravi ji, please stop somewhere decent. Let's feed this young man and buy him anything else he needs."
"Yes, Madam," Ravi replied, pulling the car over at a nice restaurant.
They went inside. Madam pulled out a chair and made Gaurav sit first, then turned to Ravi.
"Come on, you too. Sit down and enjoy your tea."
"No, Madam. I'll have it downstairs," Ravi said hesitantly.
"Oh, come on. What's the harm in having it here? Don't waste time. Sit."
Ravi nodded and sat down. Madam called a waiter and said, "Bring the boy whatever he wants to eat."
The waiter took the order and left.
Gaurav was served a full, delicious meal—his favorite kind. As he ate happily, Madam sat across from him, holding her sunglasses in her hand, legs crossed, chin slightly up—the same proud posture.
After Gaurav finished eating, Madam asked with a smile, "So, young man, full now?"
The boy beamed and nodded.
"Alright, Ravi ji," she said, "This little monkey's belly is full. Now it's time to buy him some essentials."
Ravi stood up obediently.
Madam looked at the boy and asked, "What's your name, beta?"
"My name? I'm Gaurav," he said, still smiling. "And that food was really tasty!"
His face lit up like a blooming flower.
"Gaurav! Well, Mr. Gaurav, did you enjoy the food?"
The boy nodded again, cheerfully.
"Okay... Do you like ice cream, Gaurav?"
With a huge grin, Gaurav nodded again. Madam ordered him an ice cream and said, "Now let's go get you some things for school. I have to leave soon too."
Still licking his ice cream with childish delight, Gaurav nodded once more.
Scene 6: New Clothes, New Hope
Madam stood up, put her sunglasses back on, and walked briskly to the car with Gaurav and Ravi. She turned to Ravi and said, "Wait here. I'll be back soon."
Then she held Gaurav's hand and took him into a large shopping mall.
There, she bought him everything he needed—new clothes, school books, a bag, and more. After shopping, they came out and she flagged down an auto-rickshaw.
Helping Gaurav get in, she placed his shopping bags inside and then turned to the auto driver.
"Listen carefully. Drop this boy wherever he tells you to go. I've taken a picture of your auto and saved the number. So don't try anything smart—just drop him safely. Understood? And please, drive carefully. Nothing should happen to the child."
After giving these strict instructions, she bent down toward Gaurav and gave him some money.
"Keep this with you and don't give it to anyone. Alright, Gaurav?"
The boy nodded solemnly and clutched the money tightly in his fist.
Madam turned to the driver again. "You heard what I said, right?"
"Of course, Madam! I'm not that kind of person," he replied.
"Yes, yes, I'm sure," she said curtly.
Then, turning back to Gaurav, she said warmly, "Gaurav ji, don't forget to call me when you reach home, okay?"
"Okay, Didi! I promise," he said with a smile.
Madam patted his head and stepped back. "Driver, let's go. Don't waste time," she said firmly.
The auto started, and Gaurav waved goodbye with a big smile.