Fifteen Lanes - S.J. Laidlaw Page 0,82

said Pran.

“I told you I wanted to see her. Why would you let her go out?”

“I’m very sorry, Nishikar-Sir, I didn’t know you were coming tonight, you didn’t—”

Pran’s obsequious pleading was cut short by a loud thwack.

“Do you think I have time for your excuses, you useless mule? Go find the girl and bring her to me.”

“She might be in there, Nishikar-Sir.”

“Why didn’t you say that in the first place? Are you trying to hide her from me?”

There were two more loud cracks, accompanied by Pran’s whimpers. I had to admit I felt a grim satisfaction in hearing him get beaten.

I jumped at a sharp rap on the door and I pressed against the wall.

“I’m in here!” shouted Aamaal.

“Is that you, Aamaal?” It was Pran again, though his voice sounded different than I’d ever heard it, weak and frightened. “Where is your sister?”

“She went to buy food,” said Aamaal.

“Why did she leave you two here?”

“I have bad diarrhea. Do you want to see?”

If I hadn’t been so terrified, I would have laughed.

“These children are more effort than they’re worth,” snarled Nishikar-Sir. “I hope you charge Ashmita double to let them stay here.”

I bristled with indignation. We were already charged for every bucket of water, the rental of Ma’s bed, a share of the electricity and we bought all our own food. What more could we be charged for?

“Of course, Nishikar-Sir, we’ll certainly do that.”

“I’ve been offered a good price for the girl, Pran. I’ll be back for her before morning. When she returns, lock her up.”

My blood pulsed in my ears. It was true, then. That was his plan. I was trembling so much I had to sit down on the filthy, urine-stained floor.

“I understand, sir. It’s just that I think Ashmita was hoping to delay a little longer. The girl’s a top student, medal-winning.”

“Education is wasted on girls. It only gives them expectations they have no right to. Ashmita’s delayed long enough. How old is the girl, thirteen, fourteen? Does Ashmita plan to wait until the blossom has wilted? She’s worth less every day.”

“But the Devadasis, sir, they support each other. If you anger one—”

“Let them experience my anger! The Devadasis are born to be whores. They should know their place. If Ashmita cooperates, the girl can continue to work here. If she doesn’t … well, I have brothels all over the country. I’ll send her away and Ashmita will never see her again. See how she likes that!”

“Ashmita’s been a good earner for—”

Again Pran was cut off. The door reverberated as something slammed into it. There was a muffled grunt.

“Ashmita will be dead within two years. Her earnings are already a fraction of what the young girls bring in. The lounge is full tonight because you got the young one back. We need more like her. We’re doing the lot of them a favor by training the girl. Everyone expects something for nothing. Who does she think will feed those brats once she’s gone?”

Loud footsteps receded down the hallway. I rose heavily to my feet and put a cold hand on the door. I was on the point of opening it when Shami spoke.

“Why are you sitting there, Pran-ji. Do you feel sick?”

Clever boy. I didn’t know Pran was still outside.

“Shut up!”

There was scuffling, at first quiet and then louder.

“Let go, Pran-ji.”

“You’re coming with me. It’s long past time I introduced you to a little place where your sister spent many nights at your age.”

No! I threw open the door and took in the scene in an instant: Shami was twisting and cowering away, trying desperately to escape as Pran dragged him down the hall. I saw the familiar light of excitement in Pran’s eyes as the tears rolled down Shami’s face. My little brother, who’d endured countless injections, a life of wracking coughs and constant illness, who never complained, never cried. I ran after them and leaped on Pran’s back, pummeling him.

“Let go of him!” I screamed.

Pran dropped Shami as he turned his attention to me, raising his hands to ward off my blows while trying to grab my swinging arms at the same time. I felt rather than saw Aamaal join the fray. Pran howled in pain. I knew Aamaal had bitten him. I’d suffered her bites myself on many occasions. He lashed out, and I heard the sickening crack of his fist hitting flesh. It wasn’t my own, so it had to be one of my siblings’. I turned to look and saw Aamaal flying