Mumbai Central…

The train from Kanpur Junction had just arrived at Mumbai Central. A girl wearing a simple salwar suit got out of the passenger compartment of the train. A bag hung from her shoulder, and she was looking in surprise at the huge crowd passing before her.

The girl adjusted the bag on her shoulder and reached out a hand to a woman coming from behind, saying, "Mom, step down carefully."

Her mother, who had traveled with her on the train, climbed down. When she saw the massive crowd in front of her, she was astonished. She said to her daughter, "Avni, so many people? Did all these people have to come to Mumbai today, the same day we came? Couldn't they have come some other day?"

Avni smiled at her mother and said, "I don't know, Mom. Maybe everyone had urgent work today, that's why they all arrived at the station together. Never mind, what's it to us? Let's go to the place we came here for."

Avni… a beautiful 21-year-old, fair-skinned with a glowing, round face. Long hair tied in a braid. She had applied kajal in a winged style, and her lips were light pink. Anyone would be smitten seeing her innocence… and when she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, that gesture added four more moons to her beauty.

Avni led her mother out of the railway station and looked at the crowded city of Mumbai. She took a deep breath, then, holding her mother's hand, came to the taxi stand. Taking a taxi, Avni and her mother reached Dharavi, Mumbai, where she was looking for a job.

In Dharavi's area of small, leaning shanties, Avni led her mother inward. She stopped near a shop, showed an address, and asked the shopkeeper for the house's location. Following the shopkeeper's directions, Avni and her mother reached the place. But as soon as they arrived, Avni was surprised to see the small house.

Still, she raised her hand and knocked on the door. From inside came a woman's shouting voice, "Hey, are you trying to break the door down? Wait, I'm opening it."

Two minutes later, the door opened, and in front of Avni stood a woman around her mother's age. Seeing her, Avni smiled and said, "Namaste, Chachi."

Avni's aunt (Chachi) glared angrily at Avni and shouted, "What are you doing here? And who gave you our address?"

Avni was stunned hearing her aunt's words and said, "What are you saying, Chachi? Chacha ji told us to come here."

Avni's aunt, still furious, shouted, "Bittu ke Papa! Bittu ke Papa, come out and see—Avni has come here. She's saying that you asked her to come."

Just then, a man came running down the small staircase from the upper floor and stood at the door. Seeing Avni and her mother in front of him, a smile appeared on his face, and he said, "Oh, Avni, beta, you've come? Come in, come inside."

As Avni was about to step inside with her mother, she saw her aunt glaring at her angrily. Avni's uncle (Chacha) had also seen his wife's angry face. But he gently ushered Avni inside, saying, "You take Bhabhi (Avni's mother) to the inner room. I'll come shortly."

Avni took her mother into that small room, which had no door—only a curtain.

As soon as they left, Avni's aunt shouted angrily, "Bittu ke Papa, what is this? Why did you call Avni and her mother here? We ourselves live in a shanty, and now you've invited them here too. Where will they stay?"

But Avni's uncle said, "Rashmi, try to understand. How could Avni and Bhabhi live alone in Kanpur after brother-in-law passed away? And there's no trace of Vivek either. Avni has come here looking for work. See, she'll find a job soon."

But Chachi flared up angrily and said, "Oh, she'll find a job when she finds one. Until then, who will support these mother and daughter? Don't we have enough expenses of our own that this new problem has now arrived? Now until Avni finds a job, we'll have to feed and house them."

Before Avni's uncle could say anything, Avni pulled the curtain aside and came out. Looking at her uncle, she said, "Chacha, don't worry. I'll find a job soon. And who said we've come here to be a burden on you? We've come here to support you.

I haven't come empty-handed. I brought some money from the village. Besides, Chacha, I'm educated. I'll find some decent job, big or small. And I also have a friend. She told me she'll get me a job where she works."

After that, Avni approached her aunt, folded her hands, and said, "I fold my hands before you, Chachi. Please let me and Mom stay here. We have no one else to turn to except you. You know there's a purpose behind my coming to this city—to find my brother. Vivek came to Mumbai four years ago, but there's been no news of him since.

I know you and Chacha ji filed a complaint with the police, but so far, no trace of Vivek has been found, right? I fold my hands before you—please let us stay here. I'll do whatever you say. I'll do all the housework, and once I find a job, I'll give you money too. If you want, take my entire salary."

Hearing Avni's words, her aunt thought for a moment, then nodded her head and said, "Fine. After all, you are our own relatives, and if relatives don't help at a time like this, the world will only speak ill of us. So I'll let you stay with us. But as soon as you get a job, you'll have to bring the money and put it in my hand. This is Mumbai city, not Kanpur. Everything is very expensive here."

Avni smiled and nodded, and her aunt, making a face, said, "So then, when are you going to work?"

The color drained from Avni's face, and she said, "Chachi, I've just arrived in the city. I don't even know my way around here yet. I've spoken to a friend; she'll call me in a day or two. After that, wherever she works, I'll start working there too. Don't worry. I won't sit at home for long."

Her aunt turned her face away and started toward the room, saying, "Fine, fine… now that you haven't come to this house as a guest, the kitchen is over there—go make a cup of tea."

After Avni's aunt left, Avni's uncle said, "Forgive me, Avni. You know your aunt's nature, don't you? That's why she's fallen out with all our relatives, all because of her sharp tongue. But how could I leave you and Bhabhi alone? You are my last remaining link to my brother."

Avni nodded and, holding her uncle's hand, said, "Why are you worrying, Chacha ji? I told you, I don't have any problem. I already knew that after coming here, I'd have to hear all these things from Chachi. But I promise you—I'll find a job soon and put an end to all of Chachi's complaints. And besides, I have to find Vivek too."