The big city was not as much fun as she thought it would be. She missed waking up to birdsongs, walking up misty hills and under leafy arches covering winding roads.

“You’ll be fine” grunted the uncle.
“You’ll make new friends in school” said the aunt.

The boys made fun of her gawky frame. The girls pulled her oily plaits. They did not understand her strong accent. She wasn’t fine. She didn’t make new friends. She didn’t smile but nobody noticed.

She was wary when she saw him outside the park, fearing yet another unpleasant encounter. But he came closer till his scrawny body almost touched her. Something in his liquid brown eyes made her lean closer.

He licked her face. She hugged his furry little body. And they fell in love the way only orphans can.