Right then, the food arrived.

  I brought it to the table, washed my hands, and started eating.

  Wow, the food actually tastes good.

  Here, the portions are much larger than I expected.

  The fish curry had more than five pieces of fish.

  Looking at the rice on the plate, it seemed like someone had packed it tightly from the pot.

  I couldn’t possibly eat all this rice.

  I decided to eat as much as I could and pack the rest later.

  Eating rice with the fish, a strange flavor burst in my mouth.

  I had never tasted anything like this before, but it was good.

  I ate properly and then took the remaining food to the kitchen.

  I asked uncle to pack the leftovers.

  After paying, I walked out.

  Compared to the food, the price was surprisingly low.

  For the first time, I felt like I had eaten so much for just 200 taka, and I even brought back the packed leftovers.

  I left the food in the bag; it could be used later.

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  But where was my bag?

  It had been right here—where had it gone?

  I started searching frantically.

  I couldn’t find it anywhere.

  Where had I put the bag?

  Ah, I must have left it somewhere further ahead.

  I ran forward with the packets of food.

  While running, I didn’t even notice how far I had come.

  If the bag wasn’t there, everything would have been lost.

  Thankfully, it was there.

  As I went closer, I felt a wave of relief.

  No one had taken it.

  I packed the food back into the bag, slung it over my shoulder, and started walking forward.

  Ahead, there were many food stalls.

  I wondered what kind of food they were selling.

  Rows and rows of stalls stretched out, selling fried seafood and various fried snacks.

  I had expected something cold to cool the stomach, which is why I had come this way.

  Instead, but everything was oily.

  Maybe if I walked a little further, I might find what I wanted.

  A small watermelon stall appeared ahead.

  Alright, they were selling watermelon here.

  As I approached, I saw a girl running the stall.

  Several boys were teasing her, laughing loudly.

  I hurried closer.

  Two or three boys weren’t paying the correct price for the watermelon.

  They were joking and mocking her.

  “Hey girl, what I gave you is the correct price,” one of them said. “Don’t overcharge, just take the money.”

  The girl stood her ground.

  “But sir, the correct amount isn’t here. You gave 40 taka less, and you ruined one of my watermelons,” she said.

  The boys scowled.

  “You’re overreacting. Be happy with the money I gave you. Otherwise, not a single watermelon will remain. You sell unspoiled watermelons, and still you say I didn’t pay the right price!”

  The girl replied bravely,

  “Sir, I don’t sell any rotten fruit. These are all grown by our own hands. You kept saying—this one isn’t good, give me another—yet you ate everything. Just because I cannot see doesn’t mean I don’t know which ones are good and which are bad. So without further words, please give me 100 taka for this watermelon too.”

  Her words impressed me.

  I could see how courageous she was.

  Despite being blind, she ran the business alone.

  The boys grew angrier.

  If they did anything wrong, it would end badly.

  They started breaking watermelons in rage, babbling nonsense.

  “This is too much talking. I spared you because you are blind, but you talked back. Look, does a single watermelon of yours stay good? See how your business is ruined. Oh, you cannot see, so listen carefully—this is how I break your watermelons.”

  One of them picked up a watermelon from the stall and swung it, about to hit her.