RECAP

Sandhya wakes up with Kaya’s whimpers, who is having a severe pain in the right side of her pelvis. Fearing some complications, Sandhya takes her to Dr Kiran Chaturvedi, a gynaecologist. The doctor, suspecting that it might be an ovarian cyst, conducts a pelvic exam for her. Nevertheless, nothing is found in the exam. The doctor tells them about an NGO called Agni that provides shelter to prostitutes and asks them to see Dr Sanjeevani Aggarwal there. She also writes a reference letter for them.

CHAPTER 19

“Is it possible? Is it really possible to find an escape from this quagmire?” Sandhya pondered with her eyes fixed on the visiting card of Dr Sanjeevani Aggarwal.

The grim face of her hotel customer was flickering in front of her eyes.

“And what if their NGO too runs a brothel under the garb of social work? How can I trust that unknown doctor, whom I’ve met just once?” she asked herself.

She was now reminiscing her meeting with Dr Kiran. Her enchanting smile was beckoning her to believe her words.

“But, why would she tell me a lie? What will she get out of it?”

Her mind began to spin like a windmill. Images of the doctor and the hotel customer were hovering in front of her eyes. Feeling uncomfortable, she opened the window to let some fresh air in and instantly her glance fell upon the butcher. He appeared to be grinning at her. Whether it was real or just her imagination, but it made her all the more perturbed. She closed the window and went to Kaya’s room. She was having her antibiotics.

She caressed her and asked, “How are you feeling now?”

“Better.”

Then suddenly, she flung her arms around her and said, “Sandhya ma! Don’t know why I’m missing my ma a lot.”

Sandhya roved her hand all over her back and asked, “Child, are you happy?”

“Humph!” said Kaya with her face buried in Sandhya’s bosom.

“Don’t you want to escape from here?”

Kaya looked into her eyes.

“I really don’t know if it is possible. But if you agree to it, we can at least try,” said Sandhya.

“But, how are we going to do it, ma?”

“That Dr Kiran who examined you told me about an NGO which provides shelter to our kind of women. They also educate them and help them to stand on their feet,” explained Sandhya.

Kaya’s eyes watered. She said, “My ma wanted me to be educated and become a teacher some day. I want to fulfil her dream. I want to go to school. I want to study, ma.”

“Yes, I know, my angel. Sharda used to send you to a nearby school. I remember, how Malini di blasted her each time she saw you in school uniform. But after her death, everything came to an end. I always considered you my own daughter. But I know I failed as a mother to rescue you from this dark world. I’m a failure,” Sandhya broke down.

Kaya hugged her and said, “Don’t say that. I know, you too were helpless.”

Sandhya wiped her tears with determination in her eyes, “But not any longer! I’ll see that you escape from here as soon as possible.”

In the afternoon, when Malini was fast asleep, Sandhya quietly tiptoed into her room. Though Malini’s kumbhkarna sleep was known to all, still she did not want to take any risk. She slowly picked up the telephone receiver, and dialled the number.

“Hello! Is this the NGO Agni?” she whispered with her eyes glued at Malini.

“Yes, who’s that?” said the voice from the other end.

“I want to speak to Dr Sanjeevani Aggarwal.”

“Regarding?”

“Please madam, I can’t speak much. Let me have a word with her. Tell her that I have a reference from Dr Kiran.”

“Okay, please hold on.”

Suddenly Malini started coughing loudly, though her eyes were still closed. Sandhya’s heart sank. For a moment, she thought she should put down the receiver. But Malini just budged a little and became still again.

“Yes,” this was Dr Sanjeevani’s voice.

“Hello, madam! My name is Sandhya. I got this number from Dr Kiran. She said…”

“Oh yes!” she interrupted, “She told me about you the other day. Sandhya, it would be a pleasure for us if we could save you.”

“Madam, I want to meet you in person. Is it possible?” Sandhya did not want to stretch this conversation for long.

“Sure! You can meet me on Tuesday after 2 p.m.”

“Alright! I’ll see you on Tuesday then,” she gently put the receiver down and slipped away from the room.

Sandhya was in seventh heaven. She was sure that Kaya would soon be free from this cage. But there was still one problem that was gnawing her.

“How will I go there? This place is around fifty kilometres away from here. It would be at least a three-hour-long journey. What will I tell di?”

 
                                                To be continued …