A few individuals had already opened their leaf packets of rice and curry, prepared to commence their meal once everyone had gathered. Some women from the group approached Indu and placed pieces of meat on her leaf plate. Consequently, she ended up with a substantial mound of rice and several pieces of meat that she couldn't finish. When she was about to discard the leftover food, Jitu scolded her, saying, "Don't do that. Pack everything up and carry it in your bag." Indu had no choice but to comply with Jitu's instructions, as he was older than her at 23 years of age. After they finished eating, they ventured into the river. The water level reached the adults' knees, but the children had to be carried. Due to her low stamina, Jitu held Indu's hand and helped her safely cross the river.
Soon after crossing the river, the path became steep, initially gradually but eventually nearly perpendicular. It proved to be more challenging than Indu could handle, and she sat down on one of the stone steps, shedding tears. The others had already progressed far ahead and were unaware of this. However, Jitu grew concerned and sat down with her for a while, comforting her and pointing out the sun's descent towards the west. He reiterated the perils lurking in the jungle. Even if he had wanted to, Jitu couldn't carry her as he was already burdened with her tin trunk containing a few of her belongings. Indu recollected how she struggled with each step until, just as the sun was about to set, they finally arrived at the village. The next morning, she woke up to find her feet severely swollen, rendering her unable to walk properly for an entire week.
Now, on this particular morning, as Indu prepared to embark on the same journey once again, crossing the same river and continuing her travel by either train or bus to her college, she was filled with apprehension. The commotion caused by the piglet had awakened her maternal aunt, who was attempting to rouse the slumbering figures wrapped in torn blankets on mats on the floor. Indu was the first to rise, and she went to check her tin trunk to ensure her favorite dress, a gift from her mother, was still there. Within a short span of time, her maternal aunt prepared a simple meal, and after eating, Indu and Jitu stepped outside the house to commence their return journey. Indu kept some food in her provisions, anticipating its potential usefulness later on. Despite the darkness, it was crucial for them to set off early in order to catch a connecting bus or train to her college town.
If the uphill journey had been arduous, Indu discovered that descending the narrow, nearly perpendicular steps carved into the hillside was equally challenging, if not more perilous.
Upon reaching the plains, after what felt like an eternity, the journey became somewhat bearable. By now, the sun had risen, its rays penetrating the dense foliage, creating an incredibly picturesque landscape.