I Kick and I Fly by Ruchira Gupta

Author:Ruchira Gupta
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

I leave the cold smoky air behind, outside the high walls that surround the hostel. Ravi Lala and Gainul certainly can’t jump over this. I never noticed how high they really are until now.

It’s quieter than normal. All the girls have gone up to their rooms after dinner. The sound of flying footsteps echoes through the hall, followed by a thud. It’s Tania. The exertion of her flight downstairs has brought on a bad bout of coughing.

“Your room’s all ready. I saw you come in through the window,” Tania says through heavy breaths.

Maya Didi follows soon after, laying a hand on her back. Over the weeks, I’ve learned that Tania has never known her parents and was brought into the hostel as a sickly child, recovering from pneumonia. Her health is a constant worry.

“One thing at a time,” Maya Didi says. “We have some dinner left over in the kitchen with a plate covering it. Once you’re done, Tania can take you up. Your bed is ready.”

I gulp down my food as fast as I can, eager to see my room. Maya Didi walks me down the long passage upstairs to a room at the end and taps at the door. The room is long and narrow, with cupboards along one wall and bunk beds along the other for four of us girls. There are long French windows that open onto the wraparound veranda outside, but in the darkness all I can see is the stars outside. The bamboo blinds have been rolled up. The two bulbs on the wall are covered in a pretty blue cloth, casting a warm yellow light in the room. I have never been in such a cozy room.

My gunny-bag is in front of a cupboard. “That cupboard is for your things and that bottom bed is for you,” Tania explains. All the beds have crisp white sheets, a pillow, and a blanket. I realize that I will sleep on a bed with a warm blanket to cover me for the first time in my life and swallow a sob thinking of everyone at home shivering on the mud floor.

“The toilets are just across the corridor. You have to take your towel and toothbrush with you. Maya Didi left pajamas for you to change into and there’s a towel and soap on your bed.” Tania grins, introducing me to my roommates. They’re already in bed, reading books. They tell me their names and greet me with friendly smiles, but I’m too exhausted and overwhelmed to chat and thankfully they don’t ask me many questions.

“Tomorrow, Maya Didi will give you a list of all the rules and regulations, but today she said we’re not supposed to tire you out. We’re switching off the lights but will leave one on near your bed, so you can switch it off when you get back.” A light that switches on and off. I’ve never had that either.

The room is silent by the time I get back from washing up. I get into bed, pull the blanket over me.

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