part 1

When the Chennai express was pulled from Chennai central, it took Ram some time to get off, when he was finally stood on the platform his legs felt wobbly, as he was on a moving train.

He sat on a bench on the platform and putted his small bundle down , in his 12 years he never seen so many people, expect once a year at the fair in his village . people walking by, were talking and bumping their luggages,

the noise was terrible.

Ram put his head on his knees, he was feeling miserable and exhausted.He had run away from his village three days ago .For two days he had eaten nothing but some cashew nuts and a piece of Jaggary. In his bundle he carried a T-shirt , a blue towel and a comb .

He had walked for most of the first day to kanur and then got on the train to Chennai. Ram had no money for a ticket but luckily the ticket collector didn't come to the unreserved compartment. he had tried to sleep on the floor near the door of train. a group of men next to him had played cards and shouted All Night.

"oh! what a town!!

'After sometime Ram was too scared and hoping that someone will help him'.

"After one hour Ram heard a rough voice " "Here! Aiy!"

Ram turn around. behind him was a girl around his own age, wearing a long shirt that came down to her knees. Her hair was stiff and brownish and she had a huge sack on one shoulder. she was picking up dirty plastic cups from the floor and was stuffing them into her sack .

why is she calling me, thought Ram. And why is she wearing a long shirt?

"No need to stare stupidly. what's your name? "

"Ram,"muttered Ram, looking away.

" So Mr Ram , "said the girl ,looking at his bundle. "Run away from home?

Ram didn't answer. he was not wanting to tell some strange girl what he had done. he had run away because he couldn't stand his father beating him for one more day. his father would snatch away all the money Ram and his sister earned and spend it on cold drinks.

" don't think I don't know . This place is full of children like you. So what are you going to do here? become rich?"

she sat down next to him. Ram shifted away slightly.

He felt hunger pinching him and press his stomach with a grimace, "Hungry? asked the girl. " You won't get food by sitting here glumly, making faces. I can find you some if you want."

She picked up her sack and started to walk away . Ram stayed on the bench stop what should he do? should he follow this girl? where was she going to take him? she was disappearing into the crowd. so he had to make a a his mind quickly. alright, he decided. anyway I have no idea where to go. he jumped up and ran after her. she wasn't even looking back to see where he was.

To be continued ...