Inside were papers. He held them up. We bought you a shop, he said. [music] The street exploded with noise. A shop. Bought for her. N Goi stood up suddenly. No, she said. No, no, no. Tunday held her hands gently. It is already done, he said. It is yours. Go’s chest heaved. Where? She asked, her voice shaking.
Solar smiled widely. Not far, he said. A clean place with walls with a roof. Kunnel added with chairs, tables, and [music] a storoom. Goi shook her head again and again. I cannot manage that, she said. I am old. Tunday smiled softly. You managed three children, he said. You can manage a shop. Goi laughed and cried again. The crowd clapped.
Some people wiped their eyes. Madame BC stood frozen, her mouth half open. M Goi looked at her table. [music] The old wood. The weak leg tied with rope. The pot that had cooked food for hungry children. She touched it gently. This table fed you, she said quietly. Yes, Solah said, and it fed hope. Goi sighed deeply. When? She asked.
Today, Kunnel said. Goi gasped. today?” she asked. “Yes,” Tundai said. “We want you to see it.” Goi looked around. “What about my things?” she asked. [music] Solar laughed. “We will carry everything.” The crowd laughed again. Two men from the cars came out and began packing her table and pots carefully. Goi stood there unsure.
“This feels like a dream,” she said. Tundday opened the door of the middle car. Come, he said. Goi [music] stopped. She stared at the car. She had never sat in a car like that before. She touched the door slowly. Me? She asked again. Yes, mama. All three said together. N Goi looked at the crowd. She felt shy. People smiled at her. Go.
Someone said, “You deserve it.” N Goi took a deep breath [music] and stepped into the car. The seat was soft. Too soft. She sat slowly. Solar closed the door gently. The car felt quiet and cool. Goi held the seat tightly. “This thing is moving me like water,” she said. The boys laughed. Tundday sat beside her.
Kunnel and Solar sat in the front car. The engines started again. As the cars moved slowly, the crowd parted.Goi looked through the window. She saw her street, the place she had stood for years. She saw Madame BC standing still watching. Goi waved gently. Madame BC did not wave back. The cars drove slowly like they did not want to rush the moment. Go’s heartbeat fast.
Thank you, she said again. Thank you for coming back. Tunday looked at her. We came home, he [music] said. The cars stopped in front of a clean building. It was not big, but it was beautiful. painted walls, a signboard with her name. Go’s eyes widened. “Mine,” she whispered. “Yes,” Solola said as he opened her door. Goi stepped out slowly.
She looked at the sign again. Her name was written clearly. She touched it with shaking fingers. Tears fell again. “This is too much,” she said. Kunnel shook his head. “It is not enough,” he said. Goi turned to them. I only gave you food, she said. Tunday smiled. No, mama, he said. You gave us a future.
