“It has been months since I am asking for an I-pad and nobody here wants to listen to anything that I have to say,” and lashing out thus at her parents, 19-year-old Nyra started weeping—with loud and shrill sobs escaping her throat intermittently.

“I am looking out to buy a good one, with some useful features in it for you to be able to do your assignments and other college work better,” her Dad said in a pleading tone, as he watched over her, standing near the edge of her bed. He just could not bear to see her crying, and this time, she was just not stopping…

Bryan D’Souza---Nyra’s Dad left for office in a pensive mood. Why do both my kids seem unhappy all the time, though I keep stretching myself to fulfill all of their needs, he kept asking himself while driving to work. Whether it is buying new cellphones for them just two months ago for Easter or getting them both admitted in colleges of their choice---I have never compromised with their wishes, just hoping that they stay cheerful and keep surging forward in life with high spirits. And yet… Mr. Bryan felt a lump rise in his throat and his eyes welled up.

Nyra decided not to go to college that day. She was feeling sad and miserable. Why do I have to plead before my parents for almost everything? Why don’t they understand my needs? I am not stupid! I need a new Tab with some features without which I cannot work in my Art & Design class. Aaaah! What would they know! Mom is still more difficult to deal with… I will not go to college until I make them yield. Nyra was lost in her reverie, when her phone rang.

It was her classmate Shraddha. “Hey Nyra, where are you? We are all waiting for you. You forgot? We had to meet at 8.15 here! For our ice-breaking session with all the other first year students, from other departments. It is time to head to the Gymkhana. Where are you?” Shraddha sounded impatient.

“Ohhhhh no! Ooooopppps! What a jerk I am! Am so sorry; so sorry… I will be there in a jiffy. Am rushing out, ok…just wait for me! Please…wait for me,” Nyra pleaded with her, even as she picked up her bag, brushed her hair with one hand while getting into her cargo pants and rushed outside, slamming the door shut. Her Mom and her brother had already left for work and college respectively.

Nyra’s College was 20-25 minutes away if one took an auto. Her gang was waiting near the Gymkhana building, and after the initial noisy and overexcited exchanges, they raced inside.

The Academic Director was addressing all the First-Year students gathered there and espousing inter-departmental camaraderie and competition. A few students were yawning already, while some others were all for it, with full gusto! After the orientation/briefing, the senior students began forming groups for the ice-breakers. Amidst all the commotion, Nyra was feeling acute pangs of hunger. She decided to quietly tiptoe out and head towards the canteen for a quick bite.

Luckily, there were just a few students loitering around in the canteen. The crowd was all in the gymkhana that day. She went to the counter and ordered a pesto-paneer sandwich and a cold coffee. As she opened the bag, she found to her dismay that she had forgotten to put her purse in the tote bag. She recalled that while rushing out she had grabbed a 100/- rupee note kept on the shoe cabinet in a bowl for handy change and had used that note to pay for her auto ride. She was angry, and hungry both. She did not want to call her friends out from where they were. As it is, they will not be able to hear the phone ring in that noise.

Crestfallen, as she began walking towards the door, she stumbled against the leg of a chair and the sole of her almost-tattered slip-ons tore off. “Oh no! Damn it!” She shrieked out loudly and cursed herself for her carelessness. She was supposed to throw the slip-ons out for quite some time, but she was dragging with her feet in them because they were her favorite ones.

She sat in the chair and put her head down on the table, ready to burst into tears again! She felt that nothing was going to be right with her, at least that day!

The next instant, a warm hand touched her shoulder and a softest voice ever fell in her ears: “Hey, you alright? I see your left slip-on is ripped! Are you upset for that?”

Nyra looked up and found herself staring at a very gentle face which had kind eyes and a friendly smile on it. She herself had red eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Before she could gather some words, the girl spoke again: “Hey, hey---why are you crying over such a small thing? We will find a solution for this. Here, here… I see that our feet are just the same size. Just try my shoes and see if they fit you. Here, try these on…”

Saying so, the girl nudged Nyra to pull her feet out from her tattered slip-ons and try her shoes. Nyra wanted to protest, but she knew she had no choice. She reluctantly tried on the shoes and they did fit her well. “Well, this is perfect! Why don’t you wear these and go to the main road at the rear side of our college, where a lot of footwear shops are lined up. Get a pair for you. Meanwhile, I shall wait for you here. What say?”

The sunny smile had never once left the girl’s face. She looked happier now that she had offered a solution. “You will sit here bare feet…?” Nyra asked with her eyes wide open.

“Aha! So, what! It will take you about 30 minutes or so, right? I am comfortable here. Come on, off you go!”

Nyra kept thinking. She felt confused. The growling sounds from her stomach was all she could hear. Tears again welled up in her eyes.

“Hey, now what? What is the matter? Are you hurt? You stubbed your toe?”

“Am very hungry!” Nyra blurted out. “And, I forgot my purse at home. I have no money. My friends are all in the gymkhana.”

The girl burst out laughing. “That’s it? Is that all? Am sorry, I should not laugh, but you are so delicate. You get upset over these things…? Here, I have three 200/- rupee notes with me today. You can eat something here and then buy some cheap slippers from a roadside stall.”

Nyra looked at her sheepishly, and extended her hand. “Nyra, First-Year student, design and animation.”

“Sweety, First-Year---same course and first day today!”

They exchanged a little more info and Sweety then urged her to go and get something for her at first. Nyra ran to the counter and gave her order.

Gulping and gobbling her sips and bites, Nyra was all smiles, as she shared experiences of her first few days in college. “By the way, you got admitted quite late? We already have a gang and you must join it.”

Nyra thanked her profusely and with a quick hug, left her to buy a pair of slippers for herself.

In 35 minutes or so, she returned wearing new slippers and holding Sweety’s shoes in a bag. “I shall return you the money tomorrow. You have been so nice. I don’t know what to say,” Nyra said and squeezed her hand.

“Hey, it is ok. I just happened to be here. Are you going back to the gymkhana?” Sweety asked.

“No, not now. I called up my Dad and he will be here to pick me in a while. I have no money to go home either. And, I have exhausted yours.”

They both laughed. “Hey, where do you stay? My Dad can drop you too. You have no money either now.”

“No dear, I am fine. The railway station is just five minutes away. I came here walking in the morning. And I have a railway pass. No worries,” Sweety grinned cheerfully.

“Sure…? My Dad can drop you. No issues. But, where do you live? Where does your Dad work? You have siblings too?” Nyra asked. She was getting an inkling they were going to be good friends…

Sweety looked down for many seconds, as if she was wondering what to say. Nyra wondered if she had asked personal questions too soon.

“My new home is in Virar West.”

“Aaah! You have recently shifted to a new house? Great!”

Once again, Sweety seemed to have a serious expression on her face; more of a dilemma, actually…

In a voice that seemed straight and honest, she spoke: “Well, my new family lives in Virar West. I am an orphan. And, this new family of mine is the second family which has adopted me. My first family, with whom I spent thirteen years of my life, gave me up for some reason. Then, this new family has adopted me. I have a Mom, Dad and a younger brother now. They are all very nice,” and saying so, the sunny smile reappeared on her face and her eyes shone brightly once again.

Nyra was speechless. She never could imagine what it would be like to thus be given up by one family and to have a new family at the age of 17 years.

The silence that ensued was a bit awkward. “Are you happy here?” Nyra asked, looking at her bright-eyed and happy friend.

“Yesssss, they are very kind. After knowing that I am interested in design and animation, they have paid my fee here---this is a dream come true for me. I want to study very well and get employed soon and return to them their kindness… However, I… I am scared that…” her voice trailed off and she looked away to hide her tears.

“Hey, what is wrong. Come on, tell me. What are you scared of? Please share…!” Nyra’s heart skipped a beat, looking at the tears streaming down on such a sweet and kind face.

She began to imagine the worst scenarios…

Sweety’s voice was fearful and heavy: “Ahem… I… I am scared that before I complete my course, what if this family too gives me up. I have nobody in this big world to call my own. I shall be 18 next year and I hope to find a job along with pursuing this degree program. At least till then, I hope I do not do anything wrong… Though I don’t know what was my fault earlier on too.”

Nyra kept staring at her, trying to understand the situation. Just then, her phone rang. Her Dad had reached the college and was waiting outside.

Nyra hugged her friend very lovingly; patted her shoulders and whispered: “All will be good. Don’t you worry. Now, come on… smile! I will see you tomorrow and we will have a long talk. Ok? Now, go home safely! See you.”

Nyra rushed towards the gate, though tears in her own eyes were making her vision hazy.

As she opened the door and sat in the front seat, her Dad was shocked to see that she hadn’t still stopped crying. He was visibly pained.

Neither of them spoke for a few minutes. Nyra just kept staring at nothing.

Oh God! How could I make my daughter so sad. Mr Bryan’s heart was heavy with guilt.

The next instant, Nyra buried her head in her hands and began to cry inconsolably. He stopped the car, and tried to console her. He stroked her head lovingly and muttered a few comforting words. She looked up at him, with pleading eyes. “Papa, I want…; I want…”

Mr Bryan’s heart sank looking at his darling little girl. He stuttered as he tried to speak: “My dear, you know much I love you. Don’t you worry, I shall get you…”

Nyra interrupted him mid-sentence: “No Dad, I want to tell you that I want nothing more…”

Saying so, she broke down as never before and hugged her Dad tightly. “I love you very much, Dad…! I have You. I know I have it all.”