At every step of the way. I’ve told you it’s easier with Birgit. Despite our bond, despite our belief that we’re destined for each other.”Jenn...fer wilted a bit at that.“Despite everything, Birgit and I are in agreement that we will live our lives and see where it takes us. It’s possible that you could be my soulmate. And when the time comes, Birgit will accept that. Jonas, for all I know, might be hers. I doubt it, but who knows? We’ll cross those bridges when we come to them. But let me point. Nijer bhatri bodhur sombondhe ei sob chinta matha te asate mone bhison lojja onubhob korlen. Kintu ki korben? Uni bhasur hobar age to ekjon purush manush. Barite pouchiye mayar sasuri kamola devi mayar khub ador jatno korte laglen. Mayar grame asa prai 15 din hoye gelo. Bidhoba sasurir sorir thik na thaka te maya barir jabotiyo kaj nijer hate samlate laglo. Maya nijer sasuri, bhasur ar ja er khub seba kore tader mon jite nilo. Maya lokhyo korlo, gram-e meye bou ra barite khali gaye sari pore ar. Me: Ok. Won’t be long now.Anna: You and I need to talk.Me: That’s never good.Anna: Hahaha!Me: Let’s have that talk then.Anna: Carry me out?Me: Sure thing!I lifted her in my arms and we came out of the water.Anna: That was romantic. You can be romantic!Me: I can be. Not very often but it happens.Anna: That’s good to know.Me: What did you want to talk about?Anna: About us. About where this is going. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it! But will there be more?Me: I…Anna: Let me talk.Me: Ok.We were. She saw a system that could hurt her, had ignored her, and here was a man in uniform that represented a system. A system that had always been manifestly unjust to her, even as it’s adherents swore to uphold justice. The policeman asked what her name was, where she lived. He wanted to know what had happened. She was non-responsive, a deaf-mute, a shadow-girl. She didn’t exist, she knew that this man would know that one simple fact of her life better than anyone else in this alley. He told her he.