‘I … don’t—how is she?’ I ask.

Ragini just shrugs.

‘The Department of Women and Child Development has received many complaints but no one has acted on them. Some said it’s not their job because schools come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education. Others suggested the media should do something about it. Fucking bastards, each one of them!’ Ragini pulls hard at her cigarette, staring at the pile of old Tabloid issues lying amongst the discarded coffee mugs.

‘But the media is doing something about it, Ragini,’ I say, trying to calm her, ‘You’re going to report on it. Other papers will pick up the story. People will surely demand an investigation—’

‘Sometimes I don’t know if you’re naïve or just plain stupid,’ Ragini bites back at me.

I’m quite taken aback at her words. I know she’s very passionate about her work and I know she’s upset, but surely she couldn’t have meant those words? What had I done?

‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t snap at you,’ Ragini says just as quickly, ‘It’s just that you believe in fantasy and happy endings so easily, Polly.’

‘Not every story is as sad as the one you told me,’ I say. ‘Newspapers also print uplifting stories you know—the feel-good stuff.’

‘Sure they do,’ Ragini says and picks up one of the Tabloid issues lying on my lap, ‘Here, read Mita’s front-page, lead story on Delhi’s next supermodel. The chick has great tits. Doesn’t that make you feel good all over?’

As if on cue the Bin door opens and junior reporter Mita Basu steps out. I know Ragini hates her because of late Mita has been getting more front-page stories than her.

Like every other day of the week, Mita is again wearing black skinny jeans, a black tee shirt and black-and-white Sketchers. Most of her face is hidden by her straight, black hair. She looks rather excited.

‘Hi, hi Ragini-Polly. You have to come, Ed-Ravi, everyone is in the conference room, waiting. Breaking news kids missing murder Nithari,’ Mita says breathlessly, looks at Ragini and me and then runs back inside.

‘Someone’s missing children could have been murdered and look how excited she is. Bad news is such good news,’ Ragini says disgusted.

2

Just Another Panic Monday

In the time Ragini and I spent talking at the Bin, the whole office seems to have undergone a transformation. The room is in a sort of suspended animation with all journalists congregated around the televisions, waiting, not talking.