In a moment, there was a huge commotion. Leaving aside all work, all rules, and all fear, everyone, including Mei Lin, went outside.

With their belongings on their backs arrived a group of tired people. When Mei Lin reached the courtyard of the office, the second batch from the Deoli internment camp were sitting there. Among them some found their relatives, who had been left behind, and some did not.

The farm’s courtyard had become noisy with the laughter, cries and excited voices of people exchanging information. Liang’s brother and sister-in-law, Hong and Mei Hang, and several other people were there.

Ho Fuk’s family had also come, but he wasn’t there. He had passed away in the camp.

Yao Sen didn’t come. Yao Sen’s name wasn’t on the list of the second batch. Wang Shu Shin, his father, his elder brother and his family had not come either.

‘Mei Hang!’

‘Oiii Maa,’ Mei Hang hugged Mei Lin.

In Mei Hang’s embrace, Mei Lin trembled. Hugging her for a while and gathering her composure, Mei Hang said, ‘Hey! You look like a villager.’

Even though she laughed and joked with her, she was secretly pained. What had become of Mei Lin! Her pink complexion had turned pale. Her sleek black hair had lost its lustre. She had become thin and weak.

‘I am a farmer. What do you think?’ Mei Lin said with a sad smile. Then she looked at Hong.

‘I never thought even in my dreams that I would see you all again.’

Meanwhile, Ajoli Sonowal had come, holding Mei Lin’s baby. Mei Lin took the baby from her.

‘Whose baby is this?’ Mei Hang asked in surprise.

‘Mine.’

‘Yours!’ Mei Hang and Hong looked at the baby speechlessly. ‘Pulok never knew. Pulok had come to the camp, you know. We heard Addison sahab had accompanied him. They were not allowed to see anyone. Don’t think negatively of him, Mei Lin,’ Mei Hang said slowly.

At that moment in the radio, came the familiar voice of a newsreader.

‘This is Radio Peking. I am Ameng Tham …’

Eight

Eight

‘Hey move back, move back. I will take my things first.’

Pushing aside Lee Chang with his elbow, a local boy went forward to the canteen counter. The people who had come to the canteen instantly became silent and looked fearfully at them.

Lee Chang’s face turned red in humiliation. He stopped for a moment and went forward, placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder and made him turn towards him and asked quickly, ‘Want to take your stuff first? Based on what rules?’

The boy removed Lee Chang’s hand from his shoulder and said, ‘Shut your mouth and go back. This is not your India. This is China.’

‘Do you think I am scared? This is Hua qiao Nongchang.’