Under the Moonlit Sky by Nav K. Gill

Author:Nav K. Gill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dundurn
Published: 2010-09-04T04:00:00+00:00

The women were still gathered at the house when we returned. Jas said that they had refused to leave until they heard news of our quest. As expected, everyone was outraged to hear of the father’s reaction. We made sure to leave out the part where we were threatened by a rifle, especially since Jas and Dhadhi were already so terrified that we had confronted the family. Nevertheless, they were overjoyed when we revealed that Rohan’s sister had taken the baby in. Comforted by the conclusion, the women finally left.

Jas prepared an exceptionally delicious dinner that night, and we all sat around and enjoyed each other’s company. For the first time since my arrival, I felt as though I belonged. I was unusually cheerful and couldn’t stop smiling at Dhadhi’s stories. I laughed as Bhagat pranced around the dining table, refusing to finish his food while Jas chased him. They were a good, whole family. They were my family.

Shortly after midnight, I decided to call it a night. Making my way to the staircase, I thought about how the girls would react when I told them about the day’s events. My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Ekant.

“Esha, may I speak with you?” he asked. I turned around and saw that he had followed me to the stairs.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Let us go to the roof and speak,” he said, leading the way. I hurried behind, curious about what he wanted to say.

We stepped out onto the rooftop. Since it was October, the nights were becoming cooler. The full moon was bright and illuminated the vast, clear sky. As always, it was a beautiful night. Ekant stopped at the edge of the roof overlooking the western part of the town. In the distance I could just barely make out the city lights.

“Esha, I wanted to commend you on the way you handled yourself today. You did well,” he said without looking at me. His gaze was fixed on the moon, as though he were entranced by its beauty.

“I, uh, I didn’t really do anything,” I replied, slightly taken aback by his compliment. “I’m not sure I even understood what was happening. I mean, it was so fast, you know.”

“Still, it is not an easy thing to see; a father denying his newborn even after he has been confronted with his sin of trying to bury her alive. I would imagine that you do not see things like that in Canada.”

“No, I guess not. I just can’t believe someone would deny their own child like that. I mean, he tried to kill her, and he very well could have succeeded if that lady’s husband hadn’t found her when he did. That’s so . . . messed up! How can people get away with stuff like that here? Does the law mean nothing?” I was bewildered that such a thing could just happen, and there was no real recourse through the police. Rohan could pay someone off and get cooperation to legalize the adoption

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