The Christening

Prescript: This is the third part in The Series. Sincere apologies for this delayed post. I have been lazy to write recently, hopefully the next part will come in a week ;) Read the previous part Here or enjoy the Previous Series.

The day dawned along with Vishal. He could see Kishore flat on the floor in the other corner of the room while an empty glass lay next to him. The room reeked of alcohol. The door had been left ajar. Vishal wanted to flee but the fear of the unknown had stopped him from doing so. The only person he knew in this strange city was Uncle Kishore whom father had trusted, so he ought to do the same - he thought.

The small hole in the roof let in a beam of light that hit Kishore on the face. The sudden light on the face had shook Kishore out of his drunk slumber. He woke and checked the small clock on the wall. It was half past ten and Vishal was sitting crouched on the bed. Kishore rubbed his face and straightened himself. 'Come. Lets go. We are already late', he told Vishal and in a few moments they were on their way.

After a while they were outside yesterday's building. Vishal saw Anthony at the entrance to the building and slipped behind Kishore. Kishore caught Vishal by the wrist and half dragging led him in. This time the door to the fourth floor room was open. They walked in and were greeted by a gentle face adorning a smile and a white skull cap, 'Welcome Kishore. I thought you wouldn't be showing up today. We were packing to leave.' Turning to Vishal he asked, 'What is your name?'

'Vi..Vishu', he replied hesitantly.

With a confused look he turned to Kishore, 'Hey Kishore, what sort of name is Vishu? Whats his name? He looks too honest to work'

To this Kishore replied, 'Vishnu. He is 13 years old. Give me a moment with him.'

'Okay I'm going down. The other kids are in the cab. We will leave in 5 mins' saying this he went out.

Kishore got on his knees and addressed Vishal, 'Hey Vishnu', the hesitant Vishal failed to correct his name while Kishore continued, 'listen to me. Your father entrusted you to me but there is no job in this city. Akbar here will be taking you to a bigger city. They have plenty of jobs there. Your father told you to listen me, now I tell you to listen to Akbar or anyone who tells you anything. Do you understand?' To which Vishal or now rechristened as Vishnu nodded. 'Okay good. Now lets go down.'

Kishore led him down to a van and motioned him to get in. Vishnu was helped inside the van by Akbar where 4 other children were sitting meekly. Vishnu joined them while Kishore got paid by Akbar.

It was almost noon when the cab halted at the railway station. Akbar went out to the ticket counter while Anthony kept a watch over the children. He returned in a while and led the children to the platform where a train was waiting. The children led by Akbar boarded in a general coach. There was hardly any place within the coach so they made themselves comfortable on the aisle like the rest of the seatless passengers.

And so the journey of Vishal/Vishnu into a bigger city continued.