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Chapter 2 A New Family
The Taj Mahal was a luxury five star hotel in Mumbai. Almost directly opposite a large stone arch known as the Gateway of India. A monument built in the British era and located on the waterfront in the Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai. The road leading to it clean with a wide walking area, commonly known as the Boulevard, popular with tourists. On one side the Arabian Sea, a part of the Indian Ocean. At one end the Boulevard a small area built out to the sea. An area that surrounded the stone arch. Around the corner from the hotel markets, mainly for tourists. At the other end of this half a kilometer stretch of clean and tidy road a white building known as the Radio Club. On the other side of that building a Shanty town. Shacks, most made of rotten wood or whatever else could be found, small, and so many. The residents walked a short distance to a low brick wall and tossed black garbage bags over the wall onto a small enclosed beach. Even in daylight the tourist who ventured into this section might see rats scampering about. The enclosed beach was completely covered in garbage of all kind and all sort. Such was the contrast for which India had become known. A short walk, less than 40 meters, and the scene could change from a garbage strewn area of beach to a clean and tidy and tourist oriented boulevard with pleasant old-fashion streetlights.
To people on this Boulevard, mostly tourists, the two must have looked an oddity. An elegant slim Caucasian with a pristine figure wearing a white shirt made of material that wasn’t cheap; long light summer black skirt that went to her ankles and not made of cheap material; and rather expensive looking black shoes. Her long black hair was neat and tidy and shiny and clean. As to how old she might have been? That was hard to tell at the best of times. (End of extract)
Chapter 1 Simon
The boy looked malnourished. His small cup empty. Not surprising. The street unusually quiet this morning. The little beggar sat on the edge. Cup on the ground. Elbows on knees and hands supporting his cheeks. Face dirty, especially around the eyes.
Feeling much compassion, he looked no more than five, Lana walked to him. With much reluctance at first she sat down, carefully holding her long black skirt as she did.
“Can I beg with you?”
The boy was studying this stranger. Why did she come? Why did she sit down? What did she want? A wealthy tourist?
“You don’t need to beg, miss. I can tell.” His tone soft surprisingly mature. Eyes deep complimenting black hair. “Expensive shoes.”
“I guess.” Lana looked at her black semi-high heel shoes. “Why are you begging and how old are you. Tell me honestly and I will toss coins into your cup.”
The boy picked up his cup and moved it to her. “I am seven. I know I don’t look it. I beg because I don’t have parents. I don’t know what happened to them. One day they didn’t come back and have not been back since. I live in a Shanty town. A small shack. I don’t know what else to do, so I beg. Sometimes make much money. Even saved some.” He nodded pleased. (End of extract)