The Girl Who Carried the Sun

Twenty Two

Lily giggled from the sink where she watched him. "Yeah. I bet. It's not going to be the worst, at least."

"It's going to be great, I'm sure," he said, placing the lid back on the pot. "Are you hungry right now?"

"Not really. But if you are, I can eat."

"I'm not hungry either. Let's go for a ride."

"Now?" It was midday and the Sun outside was having the time of his life.

"Yeah. We won't be out for long. Come on."

Although Lily thought Daniel chose the craziest time for a joyride, she followed him. Daniel drove up the gravelly road, leaving a trail of dust behind them. Lily held onto the handle above her head as the truck rattled on.

"Hang on there," Daniel laughed as he watched the girl hanging in there.

When he finally stopped at the side of the road near a slumping old mudhouse, Lily turned to him and laughed too. "What joy it is."

As they climbed out of the truck, Amir raced out of the house to see who they were, half expecting Sir Daniel or Sir Pavei.

"Amir!" Daniel called to him with a big smile, putting the child's heart at peace in case he thought they were there because he missed school. "Have you had lunch?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"Is your Ama home?"

"Yes." He watched them with his bright, honey eyes.

"Is she inside?"

"Yes."

"Can we come in for a while?"

The boy smiled shyly and nodded. Then he raced inside the house calling for his mother. Lily stood staring at the tiny hut when Daniel took her hand and led her inside. She had no idea Amir lived here by the road in this small house.

They found Amir's mother, Asha, at one hazy corner of the house, struggling to sit up on her bed. Amir perched on the edge of the bed.

"Sir Daniel. Miss Lily. You came," the woman breathed heavily.

"Yes. We heard you were unwell." Daniel answered.

"I haven't been able to get up for two days. I have gastritis and I think it's worsening. Please sit. There are stools behind the door. Amir!"

"That's alright. That's alright. I'll get it," Daniel went and brought out two wooden stools. He gave one to Lily and settled on the other.

"Excuse me, Sir Daniel and Miss Lily. Since I've been unable to move, the house is in a mess, let alone being small and old."

"Ah! That's no problem," the two of them assured.

"How are you feeling exactly?" Daniel asked.

"There's a constant burning sensation on the side of my left stomach, and I seem to have no strength at all. Can't sleep at all. I keep waking up after every few minutes and I find it hard to breathe lying down. So I mostly sit leaning on the pillow."

"Have you been taking any medicine?"

"I've been taking the medicines I used to take but it's not helping this time."

"How long have you been sick?"

"It's been nearly a week."

Daniel took a quick look around the house and asked, "Have you seen a doctor yet?"

"No. I thought my usual medicines would help. Maybe they will after a while."

Lily couldn't help looking around despite trying her best not to seem too shocked lest Asha should be embarrassed. But she couldn't help but wonder how the boy slept when it rained. The thatched roof had holes and it was thin. She couldn't help but wonder how the boy slept during winter. There was no mattress on the bed, just a few quilts, and all four walls were perforated with light. The room had no partition from the kitchen area. At one corner behind the door was the mud-made fireplace where they cooked. By the fireplace on a shabby cupboard made of bamboo, they had nothing but a few metal pots, five steel plates, three steel bowls, a few spoons... and some vegetables. Lily couldn't help but wonder what they ate.