Eleven
Rajalakshmi sits hunched at the corner, her frail, boney arms offering no protection against the unusually cold, biting wind. Her long hair is knotted in Rastafarian bundles and crawling with lice. Eyes that haven’t seen sleep or peace in quite some years. She is 11 years old.
“Do you need something warm?”,
“No!, please go away”. She pushes away the thick towel I’ve produced from my backpack.
The radiator of a nearby diesel engine offers some temporary warmth. I give her a bar of chocolate which is readily accepted.
“First meal in a day and a half, saar.”
I prod her. Is she lost? Does she need help finding her parents? Where is she from? Does she want a ticket to get back?
She hesitates. No, she doesn’t want to go back. No, she doesn’t have any parents. No, she won’t tell where she’s from.
“Alright, I just want to help. I will sit by that bench for the next two hours until my train comes. If you need anything, just ask, OK?”
A couple of nods.
45 minutes later, she wakes me up.
Looks at me awkwardly and with extreme nervousness, raises her left hand, makes an “O” between her index finger and thumb and pushes the right index inside.
Fuck.
“What are you doing? Get away from me.”
“Saar, pleaaassse. I want nothing from you. Telling you what happened to me when that nice madam took me from the village.”
Oh, shit. My head is spinning, grappling for questions and answers.
I need to help her.
“Ok, you wait here. I’ll go get someone who’ll take care of you. Wait here only. Don’t move.”
“But, saar.”
“Wait.”
5 min later, I am back with a bunch of policeman and the station master. But that spot is empty.
Rajalakshmi is gone. Another continuing statistic in this sad, terrible game of money, lust and wanton disregard for basic humanness.
*****
There are countless more such stories - across railway stations, bus stands and even homes. Do your bit when you come across such incidents and help prevent trafficking and child abuse. Get out from your air-conditioned cocoon and take a look around. Kids like these need help. Please.
