Should have been there when, when, Appa got sick.

I wasn’t there when it happened. I blame myself. I should have been there.

Tears streamed down his cheeks. Vijay rubbed them away with his hand. I’ve
disappointed everyone. I’ve let everyone that I love down.

What does Muthu think of me now, I wonder?

I’ve got to call Amma. Or write to her. I never did manage to telephone her as
promised in my last letter. I should have.

Must also give her money. I’m sure she needs more money. Everything is so
costly these days. Have to fulfill my obligation as the eldest son. Never mind, I
will telephone her today. I’m sure she’ll be surprised and happy. Must make her
happy.

She needs to be happy. After what I’ve put her through. She needs that. Vijay
cracked his knuckles.

Just then, a loud siren starts.

It appears to come from speakers somewhere outside Vijay’s room.

Then, a loud voice barks somewhere along the corridor outside and the
reinforced steel cell door of Vijay’s room opens.

“Bang!”, it stops.

“All prisoners, step out….NOW!” barks one of the guards at Kajang Prison.

Vijay gives a sigh. He gets up from the small single bed also made out of
reinforced steel and stands up.

He steps out into the corridor.

A buzzer sounds and the door of his ‘room’ shuts automatically.







18
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