The night's sleep on the hard terrace floor proved to be less uncomfortable than Mihir had anticipated. Elisa and her husband, Marith, had generously provided him with a small room on the terrace, adorned in hues of blue with some patches of color here and there. The room contained a mirror hanging on one wall, a slightly damaged frame displaying a dragon painting, and a few utensils tucked away in a corner, now filled with sand and dust. A simple sheet was laid out on the ground for him to sleep on.
In the early morning light, Mihir ventured to a nearby lake situated close to the restaurant for his morning bath. The sun had yet to fully rise, and the air was crisp and invigorating, with the melodious chirping of birds filling the tranquility of the moment. In this humble area, where not many could afford private facilities, the community gathered each day to bathe and refresh themselves. Several boys around his age were already immersed in the lake, reveling in the simple joy of bathing in nature's embrace.
Marith, with a set of clothes in hand, approached Mihir. "What are you waiting for? Get your clothes off and join in. We need to prepare the restaurant before opening," he urged, matter-of-factly. With swift efficiency, Marith began undressing, revealing his stout, white-haired body. Mihir averted his gaze, not because of the sight but due to the circumstances he now found himself in. Gone were the days of having his own chamber and private spaces for cleanliness. With a deep breath, he steeled himself, shed his own clothes, and plunged into the water.
The initial shock of the cold water against his skin sent shivers coursing through his body. A fellow co-worker, Omar, a stout, short man with coal-colored hair, stood nearby and followed suit, leaping into the water. As they immersed themselves in the lake's cool embrace, Mihir wasn't particularly inclined for morning conversation. Instead, he swam to the other side of the lake, where a group of boys gathered, engaged in animated discussions about a topic dear to his heart: the elusive masked thief.
Mihir joined the group of boys engaged in animated conversation by the lake. "Tomorrow, five days will have passed, which means she'll come again and claim another victim," the blonde boy remarked.
"I'm not leaving my house tomorrow night; I haven't even had the chance to be with a girl yet," another boy chimed in, eliciting laughter from the group.
After a while, Mihir finished his bath and changed into the clothes Elisa had provided for work. The garments were noticeably smaller than his usual attire, with pants that barely reached his ankles and a tattered shirt that was sandy and tight, revealing his chest and biceps since he could only button the lowermost button.
"Chandu, hurry up! I'm not paying you to spend all day cleaning yourself, you filthy boy!" Marith's voice echoed from the other side of the lake, the last few words whispered under his breath. The comment drew laughter from the boys nearby.
Marith had bestowed upon him the name 'Chandu,' claiming that Mihir was too princely a name for someone of his lower status.
The restaurant soon opened its doors, and within an hour, the place was bustling with patrons, forming long queues much like the previous day. Marith, though not one for conversation, efficiently managed the crowd. Elisa greeted each customer with a warm smile, serving food in an organized and courteous manner. Mihir spent the day taking orders and even found himself washing used utensils until it was time for his lunch break.
"Chandu, come and have some food now," Elisa called from the kitchen. Omar hastily tossed some dirty dishes into the basin and rushed to join her. Mihir, following their lead, sat on the floor alongside five other workers. Elisa served him a plate of rice and eggs, complete with a chicken leg, a luxury not afforded to the others. Ignoring the puzzled glances, she explained, "It's a treat for your first day of work and a bonus for your hard work. Eat up before that old man shows up." Her smile was kind and reassuring. Without hesitation, Mihir dug into his meal, his hunger sated by the hearty food after a long day of work.
Grandma!" A girl's eager voice rang out from behind, and Mihir turned to see her. The young girl dashed over and embraced Elisa tightly. "Finally, my child has come, my love," she showered Elisa with kisses on her forehead and cheeks until Elisa playfully told her to stop.
Elisa had mentioned her granddaughter to Mihir the day before, but this was his first time meeting her. The girl had blonde hair neatly tied in a bun, and she was shorter than both Elisa and Mihir. She wore a lovely black dress with silver outlines along the sides.
As the others finished their meals and left one by one, Mihir also began to rise from his spot, intending to leave. However, Elisa stopped him.
"Chandu, meet my grandmother, Ridham. Ridham, this is our new helper, Chandu; he just joined us yesterday," Elisa introduced them. Mihir found himself momentarily stunned by Ridham's beauty. Her violet eyes met his olive ones, and he couldn't help but be captivated by her radiance. She was even more beautiful than he had imagined, causing a nervous sweat to form.
Ridham gazed at Mihir for a few moments, her eyebrows arching curiously. "He...he is?" she began, leaving the sentence hanging, a hint of intrigue in her voice.
Mihir quickly realized what Ridham might have been about to say, but Elisa intervened, confirming, "Yes, he is Chandu."
Ridham seemed to have more to say, but before she could speak again, Marith's voice boomed from outside, interrupting their conversation. "Elisa, look at what this filthy animal has done over there!" he shouted.
Elisa sighed and turned to Mihir with an apologetic look. "I'll be right back. Just make yourself comfortable." She rushed outside to attend to Marith.
Ridham leaned in closer to Mihir and whispered, "You are Mihir," she said, her voice barely audible as she moved near him.
Mihir placed his hand over her mouth, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and urgency. "I know, and I'm sorry, but please, do not tell them," he pleaded desperately. She bit his hand, causing him to withdraw it, and she continued, "But why?" confusion in her eyes.
Before Mihir could explain further, Elisa's voice interrupted them from outside. She called out to Ridham, "Ridham, come, I'll get you something to eat."
Ridham pushed Mihir gently onto the floor, her tone serious. "Tonight, on the terrace, after everyone has gone to sleep. If you dare lie to me, I won't let you forget it," she warned before she left him alone with his thoughts.
Mihir slapped his own forehead in frustration, realizing that he now had another complication to contend with.