After a few moments only, he was disturbed from his sleep with the sounds of vehicles running, tires screeching, sound of horns and people talking. He tried to close his ears to stop those noises and sleep peacefully. But it wouldn’t stop. Then, he turned around trying to block the noise but now his body felt the hard ground. He was confused as he had remembered sleeping on his bed. He woke up shocked and looked around. He found himself lying under a tree on the sidewalk on a rag. He became troubled as he remembered locking his door after he had entered his room. So, who might have brought him here?
While he was pondering, he looked at himself and found himself wearing torn and tattered clothes. He was from a wealthy family and he wore clean and ironed clothes every day. He felt very dirty looking at what he was wearing. He didn’t understand what was happening but he decided to go back home and inquire about it. With that, he stood up and tried to find where he was. He didn’t know much about places and streets around him. He was always drove in a car to school, hospitals or sometimes to other places where his parents took him to. He even hardly new his way to school even after going there for more than 4 months. He thought it would be better to ask for help from someone and started walking in search for a nearby store.
While walking, he saw a few children like him were busy in picking up garbage from the sidewalks, roads and dustbins and were putting them in a sack. They were wearing clothes like him and hence he decided to ask them his way back home and if they knew about what was happening to him. He waved at one of them and went near him. Before he would ask his question, the boy looked annoyed at him and started to scold him saying, ’What are you doing Neel? Why are becoming so lazy day by day? You are always sleeping and now, even after you woke up, you aren’t doing your job. You know very well, what master would do if he sees you like this. And if you don’t do anything today, remember we aren’t helping you out. So, better hurry before master catches you lolling around.’
Thomas was now more confused than ever. He laughed and said,’ Are you joking, right? I don’t even know you. And who is Neel? I don’t have a job and I am still a student. I am more confused than ever. Please, could you just tell me the way to ‘The Williams Mansion’.
The boy in question stared at him for a while with a hard look on his face. Then, he sighed and turned around doing his work. Thomas was disappointed as he didn’t give him any answer and was about to move away when he heard him speak, ’You better stop all this non-sense, Neel. I neither have time nor patience to hear it. And, we can’t go to school as we don’t have any money even to eat. We need our job. And what do we have to do with those rich folks. They live on the 8th street round the corner. But why do you need to go there, Neel?’
Thomas spoke, ’Please, stop calling me Neel. I am Thomas Williams and I am the son of Mr. Max Williams. And I need to get back to my home.’
That guy didn’t seem to believe whatever he was speaking and was looking at him as if he was an alien from Mars. He waited for a few moments and then shook his head as if he was shocked about something and spoke, ’I think you are still dreaming, Neel. Better wake up before you lose your mind. What non-sense are you sprouting? I can’t deal with you today. I have lots of work to do.’ With that, he started moving away to do his work murmuring about something.
Even if Thomas was weirded out by all this, he still thanked him for helping him out with the route to his home which that guy didn’t acknowledge. He was shocked though thinking that at such a small age they have to work for their survival. He felt sad for them. And, with that he started his walk back to his home where he would be able to sort himself and try to understand what was happening with him.

Hope you like this part...
Do comment on how the story was!!
Stay tuned for the next part..

© jas