The unforgiving summer sun rose high over the city of Delhi, casting its sweltering rays upon the hunched backs of the
inhabitants crawling about the crowded streets.
A woman limped along the sidewalk, carrying a bundle of cloth on her side. Her sickly baby peeked out from between the layers, flailing its arms around.
"Sahab, spare some change?" She neared a well-dressed gentleman in spectacles. He spared her naught a glance, and muttered, "Filthy Indian dog.."
The poor woman tugged her dupatta up her head and searched through the crowds of people walking by. She turned to a group of ladies, holding her child up at them, "Madam, please! My children need food!"
The women turned their noses up at her, whispering amongst themselves. One of them, an older woman, shoved some coins at her hastily.
"I swear, this is the last time I'm giving money to any of you. Now go away, don't bother us!" the older woman said, guiding the ladies away from the beggar. Periodically, they turned back and threw her distasteful glances, pointing their jabbing fingers at her.
The woman carried on, spotting another gentleman walking with his wife. She huffed from under her parasol when she saw the beggar approaching.
"Steven, it's one of those again. Do something," the woman hissed into to her husband's ear, who patted her arm.
"Don't worry, darling. I shall
sort it out for my sweetheart," he replied before turning his hard gaze upon the approaching beggar.
"Madam, would you have some change to-?" the woman began, reaching out to the lady. She stepped back, screaming 'Don't! Don't you dare touch me! Steven- For Lord's sake!
Her husband stepped in front and grabbed the beggar woman by her arm, pushing her aside, "Get away from her, you disgusting pig!"
The beggar yelped and stumbled across the street, falling right in the middle. She frantically reached for her baby, who was crying and shaking a few feet away from her. Tears dribbled down its chin as it shook its tiny fists in the air.
The approaching carriage carried on unperturbed, crushing the baby under its roaring wheels.
It travelled further, and crawled to a stop in front of a magnificent building, ornate with intricate carvings and expensive lamps. The driver scurried out to the opposite end and opened the carriage door.
An Englishman and his wife stepped out, lavished in pearls and shimmering silken fabrics.
The Englishman walked out first, stepping down the bloodstained steps. He stared down at the smear of blood on his leather shoes, and rubbed them on the sidewalk.
"Driver! Clean off this carriage before the Missus and I return from dinner. I won't tolerate filth on my things at any cost"
And with that, he took his wife's arm and walked into the banquet hall.