Their movements were careful, like people who had been chased many times before. They walked toward her, step by step. Go’s heart pounded. As they got closer, she could see them clearly now. They were younger than she thought. Very young. She swallowed and forced a gentle smile. “Come,” she said again.
This time softer. “Don’t be afraid.” And the boys finally reached her table. The three boys stood in front of Goza’s table, close enough now that she could see everything clearly. Their clothes were not just dirty. They were old and torn in many places. One boy’s shirt had no buttons. Another one’s shorts were too big and kept slipping down.
The third boy wore slippers that were not the [music] same size. One was bigger than the other. Goi felt her chest tighten. She looked around quickly. People were still walking past. Some slowed down to watch. Some did not care. Goi forced herself to breathe. “Come closer,” she said gently. [music] You don’t have to stand far.
The boys moved one small step forward. Goi bent down a little so her face was closer to theirs. What are your names? She asked. The boys looked at each other again. This time [music] the tallest one spoke. My name is Tunday. He said in a low voice. He pointed to the boy on his right. This is Solar.
Then he pointed to the last one. This is Kunnel. N Goi nodded slowly like she wanted to remember the names very well. Tunday Solar Kunnel, she repeated. You are brothers. Yes, Tunday said. We are triplets. Goi inhaled sharply. Triplets, she said again softly. She straightened up and picked up a plate from her table. The boy’s eyes followed her hand.
Goi noticed it. She noticed how their eyes did not blink. She noticed how Solar licked his lips without knowing. She noticed how Kunnel held his stomach with both hands. Her heart beat faster. “Have you eaten today?” she asked. The boys hesitated. Sola shook his head slowly. “No, mama,” he said without thinking.
Tunday quickly looked at him. “Sorry,” Sola added, scared he had said something wrong. N Goi felt something twist inside her. “It’s okay,” she said quickly. You didn’t do anything bad. She turned back to her pot. She scooped rice into the plate. Then she added stew. Her spoon moved slower than before.
Her mind was racing. This is one plate, she thought. Three boys. She turned back and held the plate out. [music] This is for you, she said. The boys froze. All three of them stared at the plate. Then they stared at her. Tunday spoke again carefully this time. “Is it? Is it for all of us?” he asked. Goi nodded. “Yes,” she said.
[music] “It is for all of you.” The boys did not rush the plate. They did not grab it. They did not fight. Instead, they lowered themselves to the ground in front of the table. Tunday gently took the plate from [music] Goi. He placed it on the ground between them. Then something happened that made N Goi forget to breathe.
