Dol had avoided the adoption, the only way she knew possible. After she had returned to the rundown little office she took a long look along the office to the man looking at her, Mr Ganesha, her uncle who helped and loved her like a father, of course she wanted to be with him but knowing what she knows now and his willingness to adopt Riya. Probably because of her mysterious sharm or whatever. Not in a million years she was so not going through that again. It hurts remembering it. Why did Riya hate her so much?
"Little girl, what is your name?" Mr Ganesha says calmly in a fatherly tone holding eye contact with Dol.
"Dol" she says shyly looking at her leg which drew Ganesha to the attention of her shoes. she had worn into the orphanage which now looked worn out.
"Dol it's a lovely name, want to come home with me, we can take your little friend here, Riya right". He said turning his head shortly to Riya then back to Dol.
She can be your sister" he said, looking to sister lima as confirmation, she gave no expression then he looked back at Dol. he could see Dol's face becoming paler or was it just his imagination. They looked like they were close and would rather die than be Separated. If that is what is needed, to take his niece with him. It would be difficult but a small price to pay.
Adoption processes a few years ago were not as officially complicated as they are now just a few paper signatures and the kid was yours. Dol was really happy with the big change but could she trust Riya? it was an expensive avoidable price to pay. Right When she was about to leave, she got a smile from Riya, which figuratively fills her brain with fog and cut her breath. Next she knew, her body had turned around. she ran towards sister lima. hugging her tightly, burying her face in her skirts and wouldn't let go. Riya on the other hand clenched tightly to Mr Ganesha's hand, she had held onto a few minutes ago.
Mr Ganesha decides to leave first with Riya and return in a few days for Dol.
A few days later, Dol, now determined to avoid being adopted alongside Riya, plans a way to connect with a different family she has overheard two sisters talking about on their way to the Garden. That would be coming in two days: from what she had gathered it was a stern but seemingly kind police officer, Ehabi, and his timid wife, Wadia. Initially, Dol was hopeful about her new life. They sound like a really nice family. The family should be a nice change from the chaos of the orphanage, and Wadia would dote on her, it should offer a brief sense of security till she has her own kids.
However, on the first meeting, cracks in the façade soon appear. Ehabi's temper was volatile, and his frustrations with his unrewarding job as a police officer manifested in frequent outbursts. Which by the way he mentioned often. Dol witnesses him berating Wadia over minor issues and to the sisters asking if there was no man he could talk to. The tension in the room soon becomes suffocating. Despite this, Dol remains stoic, masking her own pain and vowing to fix her new family, believing it is the only way she can truly belong.
Dol overhears Ehabi muttering darkly about his resentment toward Wadia and their "burdensome" new addition, on their way out of the Orphanage.