CHAPTER 4

Dev knocked on the bright blue door and turned to look at the sun. It was brighter than usual. He hoped Vishal liked cricket.

The door opened and Vishal gave him a nod, still wearing those shades. The shades didn't bother him. He'd noticed his mother covering her eyes like that when she returned from work late at night sometimes. She would only wear shades to cover any bruises that she got at work.

Dev's mother had told him that she wrestled with people for work and that sometimes her opponents would knock her out. He never understood why she needed to wear such heavy make up to wrestle with people or why she only worked at night and slept all day.

"Do you like cricket?" Dev asked, lifting the bat in his hands.

"I don't. But I was planning to go for a walk and tour the area. Wanna come with?"

"Fine. I'm keeping this bat at your place."

After 15 minutes of showing Vishal around, Dev decided to take him to his special place.

Across the drain and under the banyan tree, there was a spot that not many people knew about. Everyone avoided the place thinking the drain stink would drive them mad but if they positioned themselves correctly the wind would drive the stink away.

Dev had discovered the spot when he decided he wouldn't be friends with the kids from nearby areas. They were mean. They were nightmares and for some bizarre reason they always called him " A WHOLE'S SON "

He didn't know what that meant. The first time he'd heard it was from the popular kid who went to the public school and learned English.

Dev was happy for now.

He'd finally found a friend.