Ten minutes later Zoya and Anil were already on their way back to the taxi parked on the side of the road. They followed the path they had taken before. Zoya seemed to be observing the path which was nothing more than an alley. Let alone small cars, motorbikes may not be able to pass by, just for people passing by."What are you looking at, miss?" asked Anil surprised to see Zoya looking around."I want to make sure the alley we passing through so that tomorrow I don't get lost here. It's a bit hard to remember the route.""Really? It's easy!""For people like you who were born and raised here, of course it's easy.""It's still close to the main road, we haven't entered the heart of Dharavi yet. Inside, it's more complicated, there are many small alleys like a maze," said Anil, continuing to walk a little faster. "By the way why did you choose Dharavi as a place to live, Mumbai is so big isn't it?"Zoya was silent, unprepared for Anil's question."At first I thought it would be cheape
Praveen had been going around looking for the address Auntie Neha gave him, but couldn't find it. From Morning till noon, he was still going around in Dharavi. He even asked people by handing a small piece of paper written by Auntie Neha, all of them shrugged and shook their heads.It was too hard to find. Too many nameless alleys. Too crowded houses, and too many misleading clues. And what annoyed him was many people he asked gave different answers. Some of them pointed to the north, some pointed to the south, and not a few pointed to the east.What a confused! He cursed himself. Did he have to look for the address in all directions?He was getting tired of walking down Dharavi without result. At noon he felt thirsty and hungry. He persisted not to have lunch. But keep looking for. His stomach was smarting to be filled. But he didn't care. If today the address he looking for was not found, he would inevitably return to the PN Shelter to stay overnight. It didn't really matter if stay
With definite steps Praveen headed the Citizen hotel located at 90 Feet Road. The hotel was not far, only about 700 meters from the one he called earlier. He had passed the hotel twice. From a physical point of view, it doesn't look like a hotel. Only a small three-story building and painted orange that has faded. At the front there was also a restaurant. There was a large neon sign in front of the hotel that reads Citizen Hotel & Restaurant. He would wait for the person who would pick him up right in front of the hotel. Praveen hastened his pace even more. He couldn't wait to get there. It was better for him to wait first. *** Zoya received her room key after she registered and checked in right away. Her room was on the second floor number 203. She was a little overwhelmed to climb the stairs because of the bag she carrying. Even though it wasn't that high, her breath was a little ragged when she got to the 2nd floor. Uh, it must be because she's rarely been exercising. While in
Raju took Praveen inside the Dharavi through a narrow and winding alley. Throughout the journey he was silent and looked around."It's your first time to Dharavi?" asked Raju."Yes. I'm from Chandrapur.""So you are same origin as Mr. Anand, right?""Yes.""What's your relationship with him?""Nothing. He's just my aunt's friend.""Oh, I thought you are his family from the village."Praveen didn't answer. He continued to follow Raju's steps. Fifteen minutes walking down the narrow alley, they finally arrived.The atmosphere seemed busy in the house that as well as the clothes factory. The house was two floor. Downstairs was production area. Ten people seemed busy working. Some of them were sewing, some other cutting clothes similar to jeans. They just followed the pattern. All seemed to be skilled with the job.Praveen was still standing at the entrance. Raju had returned to his work right away. Praveen was left alone outside without being told to come in.But not long after, a rathe
After walking around looking at Dharavi's situation, Zoya returned to the hotel. She felt tired, all her joints felt feeble after walking down the row of shops selling various goods. She had marked important places such as clinics, ATMs, restaurants, grocery stores, and so on. It turned out that her worries were baseless. Even though Dharavi was a slum area, but all the places she needs are available there. Of course she didn't go into the alleys leading to central Dharavi . She was afraid to get lost, knowing she was a new comer.Arriving at the hotel it was too late. It was Dusk. She immediately took a shower and rested. She had bought a bag of snacks to accompany her through the night. Tomorrow, she would check out before 2 pm. But she wouldn't wait to long, maybe a bit early, because she had a lot to do.Just finished taking a shower, her phone rang. Ramya's name was on the screen. She immediately answered the call. Just as she said hello, her old friend chimed in."Where are y
At 7 am Praveen had started work. He received brief training from Uncle Anand using a sewing machine and sewing pieces of jeans. In a moment, he understood and started sewing. It's not difficult because he just followed the pattern. The material of the pants had been cut.The stocky man repeatedly reminded him to be careful, there was no need to hurry because he wasn't as skilled as the others. Praveen understood that if he were wrong he would have to untie the seams and do it again.He slept curled up all night because the room was small and occupied by 7 people, making him sore that morning. Yes, the workers sleep upstairs. You can imagine a room measuring 3 by 3 meters filled with 7 people. Just like Sardines. Much better at PN Shelter. But he had no other choice. Luckily 3 other workers lived not far away, otherwise 10 people would be more crowded.By 10 am he was getting bored. Only this time he worked just sitting behind the sewing machine, not moving much. Do sewing. Finish one
Zoya was confused. Where should she wait? She couldn't wait from she stood now, obviously could be seen. Should she hide? But where? There's nowhere to hide around. She stood at the mouth of the alley leading to the field. On the left and right were only attached houses. She might enter someone's house. What if the householder thought her as a thief and shouted at her?She was getting more confused. There was no other way but to try to trace the alley she passed before. She hesitated for a moment and afraid get lost.On seeing Praveen coming out of the public toilet, Zoya turned around right away. She decided to go back. But a minute later, she tried to look back in the hope that he was behind her, but Praveen disappeared. there were only a few passers-by.Where the hell was he? Why did he suddenly just disappear? Zoya nagged herself. Damn it, she felt left out.Inevitably Zoya had to go home alone. She tried to remember the alley she went through. When there was another alley, she
Zoya sat in one corner of her room. There was nothing else in the room other than a traveling bag, a shopping bag containing the small things she bought earlier, a bucket and a dipper. The room still looked empty and loose. She was confused, how to buy items that are rather large such as folding mattress, small table, fan, portable electric stove and others?Actually, it's not about buying the tools that was the problem, but how to bring them to the rented house. Vehicles such as bajaj cannot enter through the alley. Like it or not, she had to carry it herself. Carrying a bucket and crackle bag, she had to suppress her ego in such a way, it felt like people were staring at her. She was not used to taking care of these things all her life. All her needs were always available. If she need something, there was a maid at the house to do it.Four years in Boston was also easier. She lived in a fully equipped apartment. Even though she lived alone, she felt comfortable. Just studying, she