Lost and Found

Ned came back at noon.

Meerka was drinking the coffee. It was cold.

-You found the note, Ned said.

-Yes.

He sat down. He put a thick folder on the table.

-I found something else.

Meerka put the cup down. Her hands started to shake.

-Reshma?

-She is in Go---, Ned said. Like the constable told us. A family has her. They are decent.

Meerka let out a breath she had been holding for years.

-She is safe.

-She is safe, Ned agreed. But she’s a servant. That is not a life.

He tapped the folder.

-I found your aunt. Anika.

Meerka stared at him.

-Anika? She lives in the village. She has nothing.

-She has a stipend now, Ned said. I set up the account this morning.

He slid a paper across the table. It was a bank transfer receipt.

-Enough for two.

Meerka looked at the numbers. It was more than enough.

-You pay her to take Reshma?

-I pay her to be family, Ned said. Reshma needs a home. Not a job.

-And me?

-You have a job, Ned said. And you have a home.

He stood up.

-The car is gassed up. Pack a bag. We are going for a drive.