"How much did you say?"
"400 Tk."
Asif is in a helpless situation. He came to buy medicine for his sister, but the price is too high for him.
"Can't you give me a discount?"
"I already gave you a 35 Tk discount."
"Can you change those meds with a cheap one?" he said with a wry smile.
The shopkeeper sighed, "It's the cheapest one. You came to a shop where only cheap meds are available."
The store is located at the entrance of the slum. Its condition is barely any better than the home Asif dwells in.
Clenching his fist, Asif said, "I only have 150 Tk. Can you sell them on credit?"
With a sympathetic look, the shopkeeper said, "I understand your situation, boy. But I'm just an employee working here, so I can't.
You should borrow money from your friends or relatives."
Asif sighs and leaves the shop.
______
"What? We came here not to work but to borrow money? What do you think of me? A tree of cash? I'm warning you again. If you skip another day without notice, I'll fire you."
Asif came to his employer to ask for some money, only to be scolded harshly. With a weak voice, he says—
"But sir, I've worked half the month. Can't you give me half a month's salary?"
"Do you think you can get salary whenever you please? You'll get it only after working a month. Ask me for money again and I'll kick you out of here."
With a slight bow, Asif leaves the place.
He works here tirelessly, almost full-time, but on payday he only gets the pay of a half-timer—barely 8,000 Tk (70 USD). Even then, he doesn't get the entire amount: lunch fee, skipping fine, labour union fee, or some tax he doesn't even know—he gets around 6,500 Tk at best. By no means enough to cover the expenses of two people, but he has to.
______
"Sorry, man. I'm short on money this month. You know my parents. They always send just enough to survive."
"It's okay." Asif leaves with a light smile.
_____
"Sorry, bro."
"Get lost."
"I'm short on money myself."
....
Replies may be polite or not—the meaning is all the same.
They won't lend money, even though it's just 250 Tk. But the spirit of Asif didn't break from all this. He goes door to door like some beggar.
_________
"Sir, may I know the time by your watch?"
"9:12." Despite feeling disgusted by his appearance, the gentleman replied and left hurriedly.
"Thank you." Asif bows, despite knowing the gentleman won't notice. After the entire day, bowing has become his major habit.
With a heavy heart, he walks around aimlessly.
Life has already taught him a lot, but he has to keep learning.
He has friends, co-workers—but in times of need, there's none by his side.
He wants to hide and cry like a kid, but the face of his injured sister flashes before him.
"You seem to be going through a lot, kid."
A voice—perhaps the voice of the devil—reaches his ear, only to notice a man with long hair approaching him.
"I saw you begging all those times. You looked so pathetic," he starts laughing.
Asif takes the insult lightly, like it's a common reaction, and says with a smile—
"May I assume you wish to help this poor soul, sir?"
"There's no free money, kid."
So he just wanted to mock me... huh!
"Sell these things first. You might earn far more money than you need."
With shock, Asif takes the small package and notices the white substance he's all too familiar with.
_____
The dim light amidst the darkness is visible from afar. It shines like a candle battling against the wind.
"You've come just in time. I was thinking about shutting the store. So, did you get the money somewhere?"
Without answering, Asif puts down a 500 Tk note.
The shopkeeper finds his behaviour strange but doesn't bother about it. Quickly, he hands over the medicine, bandage, and 100 Tk change.
"I hope your sister gets well."
Asif takes the pack and leaves the store in silence, acting like a deaf guy.
The cold winter wind gives his hair a slight pat. The stoic, clueless expression on his face is vaguely visible.
Some drug addicts lie on the street like coma patients, just like any other night. But the scene before him makes Asif doom into an abyss of regret.
______
Just when Asif is about to knock, the door opens by itself, revealing a young girl with tears in her eyes. She hugs him without warning.
"Brother, you came. I was so worried. Stupid brother, why did you stay out all night?"
Asif is about to say something but notices the wounded hand of Ayra.
The joint has swollen like a big balloon with a light red color.
"Let's treat your wounds first. I've brought some medicine for you."
—
Ayra tries her best not to cry, but the pain in her hand is determined anyway.
"You'll feel some pain at first, but it's going to help you heal afterwards. You can handle this much pain, can't you, my dear?"
Asif shows brotherly affection while bandaging her.
"Make sure to take the medicine as the pharmacy guy instructed."
Well, for the poor folk, the pharmacy guy himself is the doctor. The little knowledge he has is enough for minor diseases. Anything more severe than that? Sorry — they can't afford it.
The government can spend millions of dollars on defense or paramilitary.
But for essential healthcare? Sorry — they don't have enough money to "waste."
"Where did you get the money, brother? We shouldn't have much left."
"Oh! I just... took this month's salary early. You don't have to worry about that."
Asif says in a shaky voice.
"All done. Make sure to get yourself a nice sleep."
Ayra pouts.
"Can't you sleep with your sister?"
"Ah!..."