Matilda: Excuse me.
Matilda: Let me get through!
Matilda: Ah! Will you move, please? For the sake of Marie Anne Lenormand!
The crowds on the platform are like schools of colorful sardines, pushing each other toward their destinations at an incredible speed.
Matilda: Oh, finally! Ah-ah, ouch, this train ride gave me a real pain in the neck!
She finally gets to relax in one of the few empty seats in the station.
Matilda: How nice it'd be if I were to sleep on my bed in such cool and comfortable weather! Or I may as well just stay in Delhi with Mom to sell those topazes!
Matilda: sighs
Her fist tightens, though she doesn't consciously want to. The documents rattle in her hand.
She looks down at the documents.
Matilda: ...
Matilda: No! Matilda will not just give up here!
Matilda: Who knows when they will approve my leave next time?
Matilda: These days, the celestial energy appears to be ideally strong, and the best observation area happens to be close to Delhi. What a heaven-sent opportunity for this genius of divination! Only the fools will take no action!
Matilda: Wait and see. When I find the right place to meditate ...
She slightly shakes her fist. It seems she has made up her mind very seriously.
Matilda: Hum-humph, sooner or later, I will take my ride back to the top!
She rummages through the documents and moves close enough to read the poorly printed text.
Matilda: Emm, let me see what this poster is about. Emm, Dīpa Festival?
She turns over the poster.
Matilda: "People in Mor Pankh hold the Dīpa Festival during the meteor shower period every year to seek the blessings of Vindre."
Matilda: Oh, so it's based on the meteor shower here! Vindre ... I think I have seen this name in the materials.
Matilda: Now I'm in the east of Chandigarh. Can there be fewer signs here?
Matilda: Ah-ha! This map has English on its back! Very nice. Would be more classy if they put French here instead.
Matilda: The place I found through divination is called Mor Pankh. It's a shrine! I need to go to its north cave?
Matilda: Good. So, a shrine. Perhaps it has something to do with that comet myth I read about earlier. Isn't this also one of the places to see the upcoming meteor shower?
Matilda: Great! This is where I am going, then. Where's my pen? Ah, here! Very good, let me put it down.
She hunches over and writes down something carefully.
Matilda: Phew! Nicely done! Everything is a lot more convenient in the new town.
The ceiling looks new. This train station seems to have been built not too long ago.
Matilda: Looks a lot better than the ceiling in Delhi's train station. I wonder how Mom and Dad are doing now. That Indian man can speak really fast when he's bargaining.
Matilda: Emm.
As she slackens off, tiredness catches up with her.
Matilda: Emm. Just one quick nap, very brief ...
Matilda: ... Zzz ...
???: Wow, cool! What a bold girl!
???: Hee hee ...
???: Guys, you see that? The girl brave enough to sleep in the train station.
Ajar: Err, I see nothing, Boss! Not everyone has the great eyesight as yours. Oh, thank you. Nice monocular.
Ajar: Oh, shiny jewels and wallet.
Ajar: But what is the thing she is holding so tightly, even when she's asleep? Isn't that the map they give away at the train station for free?
Kanjira: Hmm, something valuable, I guess? Like the treasure map pictures in the books! If I can take a closer look ...
Kanjira: Well, that's too hard for you. Ajar, you go from left, just as I taught you. Give me this gesture after you get it.
Ajar: Heh-heh, no problem!
Kanjira: Do it well, boy! If you make it, that would be your first step to victory! Oh, remember, don't tell Ms. Sherjah I taught you these!
Kanjira: Go, go! Don't let other people get it before you do.
Matilda: Umm ...?
Matilda: What is it? Something swaying?
Sleepily, Matilda struggles to open her eyes and sees a little figure prowling away.
Ajar: Emm, ahem! Is this yours, Miss?
Matilda: Emm? Hey, that's the pendulum Mom gave me! Who are you?
Ajar: It fell on the floor. I was just picking it up for you! There, don't lose it again.
Matilda: Oh! Thank you ...
Matilda reaches for the pendulum.
???: Nuh-uh. It's yet too early to say thanks, girl.
Matilda: Hmm?
Shamane: They find themselves in the shadow of a tall man.
Shamane: The man seems travel-worn, but he's carrying just a little luggage.
???: About three minutes ago? Or, five minutes ago? This fellow was wandering around you like a sneaky ferret-badger. Trust me. This is no friendly encounter.
He raises his left hand, more specifically, his prosthesis, to show the delicate wallet between those seemingly stiff fingers.
Matilda: Umm? That's mine. You! You stole my wallet?!
Ajar: Wha, what? I've put it in my pocket.
???: Someone needs to work on his techniques, right, boy?
The man catches Ajar's clothes—this time with his real hand—and easily picks him up.
Ajar is lifted in the air, but he isn't strangled with his collar, for the man has skillfully avoided the area of his neck.
Ajar: Let go! Let go of me! D**n it! Go mind your own business!
???: Unfortunate for you, my business these days is to mind others' business. Seems like there are more things in that pocket of yours. Come on, you know where we are going.
Ajar: Ah! Urrrh!
Ajar shows his teeth and bites the man hard on the right hand, which is dragging his collar.
???: Hiss—ah!
He lets go because of the pain. The little thief breaks free and quickly slips into the crowd.
Matilda: He's gotten away. My, my, my pendulum! He had my pendulum. Stop! You!
COMBAT
Ajar: pants D**n it! They are catching up!
Matilda: Stop right there, you little thief!
Ajar: Humph!
The annoyed boy throws the pendulum into the distance with full strength.
???: Ah, you, boy! Wait!
The man runs into the colorful schools of sardines in hot pursuit.
Matilda: You! No! It's fragile. Don't!
In a beautiful arc, the transparent topaz falls toward the ground like a meteor.
Kaalaa Baunaa: ...!
Suddenly, a palm appears and catches it safely.
Kaalaa Baunaa: Phew. Just in time.
Kaalaa Baunaa: Is this yours?
Matilda: Ah, yes.
The lady leans forward and speaks in a soft voice. Matilda stares into her eyes, completely abstracted.
Kaalaa Baunaa: Put it away, kid.
As she tilts her palm, the topaz falls swiftly into Matilda's hand.
Matilda: Ah, thank you.
Kaalaa Baunaa: It's okay.
The lady slightly nods and leaves like a gust of wind.
Matilda: She left so quickly.
Matilda: Ah, the documents. Hope I didn't mess them up in the chase.
Matilda: One, two, emm? Two pages are missing. Where did they go?
A small, black-haird head is peeking from behind a pillar nearby.
Kanjira: Thankfully, I've planned my way out in advance. Well, at least Ajar won't be caught by anyone!
Kanjira: Good luck running away, poor Ajar.
She puts her palms together and wobbles her head to show her pity.
Kanjira: I will make a profit from her, including the part you failed to make. Humph, that easy mark with milky blonde hair, you'll see how Kanjira ...
Kanjira: Whoa! What did I step on?
Kanjira: Is this the thing she was looking at? Yes, my eyes won't fail me.
Her face puckers up as she examines the paper in front of her.
Kanjira: It really is a treasure map! Look here. She even drew a star, just like those pictures in books.
Kanjira: You lucky girl, Kanjira. This is really something valuable!
Kanjira: Let me see. Oh, I have to read it together with the handwritten notes. What are these, hmm? She spelled these all wrong! Even added some lines above them.
Matilda: Don't even bother trying. It's in French!
Kanjira: Hey! Don't even think about taking my treasure, oh.
Matilda squints to scan the suspect, who is trying to avoid eye contact.
Matilda: What were you muttering about with my map?
Kanjira: Emm, ahem.
Kanjira: I, uh, just pick it up and look for its owner. Hope I can help!
Matilda: Help? Humph! Matilda needs no one's help! Not to mention from a girl who just showed up out of nowher- ... Hey! Don't ... don't touch me!
Kanjira ignores Matilda's contempt. She holds Matilda's arm intimately, with a big smile on her face.
Kanjira: Wow, you is so cool!
Kanjira: Is this your first time in the village? On your own? What's the plan? Sightseeing? Family visit? Or looking for some ...
Matilda: Hey! Let go first. Why's that any of your business?
Kanjira: Umm, aha, I mean, perhaps not clear to you, but in fact, I am a guide who always give best service!
Matilda: A guide? Who always gives the best service?
Kanjira: A tour guide, maybe? Anyways, I tell you, nobody know this village better than I!
Kanjira: Hey, don't stare at me like this. I'm wandering here for a reason: I only give services to outstanding and cool people. They have good taste!
Kanjira: That why I find you at the station from all travelers! My most great, great customer ever!
Matilda: Ah! The outstanding and impressive people, you say. Humph, at least you have sharp eyes.
Matilda tries hard to suppress her complacent smile.
Kanjira: See, the place you is visiting is different from others!
Kanjira: This shrine, only few tourists are willing to ... ahem, only the locals know! And now, people can only go into three caves out of four. But, if you choose I ...
The black-haired girl reaches out and pats the map on the star.
Kanjira: I can take you go north cave, even if it's not open!
Matilda frowns in response. There is suspicion in her eyes.
Matilda: How are you going to take me there?
Kanjira: How, how I do that? Um, my local connections, of course!
Matilda: I see. No wonder there were some discrepancies between the documents and the tourist brochure. Ah-ahem, well, of course, I knew this all along!
Kanjira: Heh heh.
Matilda: Hmm? What are you laughing at?
Kanjira: No, no, no, my dear guest, it's just sneeze.
Kanjira: Well, you see, I just make a living here. I'm short and thin, can't compare with adults.
She tilts her head slightly—the angle is so perfect that it seems to be a result of countless practices—and sheds tears naturally.
Kanjira: And you is so great. You will not let I, weak poor kid, get hungry for no money, will you?
Matilda: Err. Even if you look at me with those puppy eyes ...
Kanjira: First sight I know, you is a lady with great taste, just like a sand cat, brave and smart.
Kanjira's downcast green eyes subtly steal a covert glance up at Matilda, secretly reading the signs on her face.
Matilda: Sand, sand cat? It does sound like a smart animal.
Kanjira: Anyways, you is lucky to meet me, my lady!
Kanjira waves her hands as if she has made a big decision.
Kanjira: Well, well, for a great customer like you, I can only suffer some loss! Just 200 rupees, and I'll show you the shrine and the whole Mor Pankh village! With a special Dīpa Festival tour on the house!
Kanjira: Want me to recommend a hotel? I know good hotels, too.
Kanjira: Yes or no, my dear guest? My most great guest? Please ...
Matilda: Fine, fine. I will allow you to be my temporary assistant, for your life has been so sad already.
Kanjira: Yay! Let's go treasure hunting, hmm, sightseeing!
Matilda: Excellent. Have you arranged a shuttle bus for the travel?
Kanjira: Heh heh, I have something gooder than bus for you!
Kanjira puts on a mysterious smile on her stained face.
Kanjira: And I promise you, quick like flash!