‘Since we don’t have the required facilities to keep you here, we will have to take you to a different place.’

The place fell silent immediately. The detainees gazed at the officer in complete surprise.

‘Where will you be taking us, sahab?’ Chi Fu Hai stood up among the petrified captives.

‘I can’t tell you that right now.’

Without anyone noticing, Yiu Yi had quietly come out. She looked at the officer for some time and then came towards him.

‘Have you seen my mother, uncle? She has not come yet. She went to Ledo to inform about Yunlin ache’s baby.’

‘Where is your father?’ the officer asked, looking at the child in surprise.

‘There, the one sitting in the front row.’

The officer looked at her father. He called to him. The officer asked her father about his wife, jotted down her name and looked at Yiu Yi.

‘I’ll find your mother. Don’t worry.’

The officer left the cowshed. Robin came forward with the armed guards.

‘Come on, stand up and fall into line.’

‘Sipahi dada!’ Yiu Yi came over to Robin with hope-filled eyes and held his hand.

‘Where were you all this while? I am tired of searching for you. Look how we have been brought here. We told them so many times that we have done nothing wrong, but they didn’t listen. They were angry with us for no reason. I told them that I would tell you. Very bad sipahis! Have you scolded them? I know you did. That’s why they have returned my doll.’

Robin did not react. He stood there stiffly. Slowly, Yiu Yi’s eyes filled with tears. Trying hard to hold back her tears she said, ‘Maa went to Ledo. She has not returned. Have you seen her, Sipahi dada?’

‘Move. Move. Stand in line,’ the guards were shouting.

The cowshed became heavy with wailing again. Yiu Yi’s father came to her and said sadly, ‘Come. Let us stand in line. Or else they will abuse us.’

Yiu Yi clutched Robin’s hand.

‘They are taking us away from here. How will Maa find us? Let us wait for her. We will go after she comes. Please tell them. They’ll listen to you.’

Robin stood still. With tears in her eyes, Yiu Yi started shaking Robin’s hand.

‘O Sipahi dada, what’s wrong with you? Why won’t you talk to me? Are you angry with me?’

‘Hey girl, what are you doing? Where is your family?’ an armed guard shouted and came forward.

‘She is my daughter,’ Yiu Yi’s father said fearfully.

‘Then why are you standing here? Go and stand in the line.’

Trying to keep his composure, Robin said, ‘Go and stand in line, Yiu Yi.’

Yiu Yi looked at him for some time and asked slowly, ‘The sipahis are not allowed to talk to Chinese people, right, Sipahi dada?’