Summary

Two years later, Bhima entered the slum wondering where the time had gone. Amit had stayed home from school that day because he was ill. Bhima had instructed Gopal to take him to the doctor if he got worse. She had given him money to pay the doctor. When she got home, she found Amit alone. Gopal was off drinking. Bhima grabbed the broom and headed for the bootlegger’s place. She hit Gopal with the broom and berated him in front of the other men. Gopal tried to grab her and take her home. Bhima told him not to touch her. Gopal slapped her hard enough to make her nose bleed. He looked excited by the blood and hit her again and again. A man stopped him and told him to take his wife home. As they walked through the slum...