Zilch.

It was a hot,crunchy Monday afternoon.I was in Nandan,hoping to catch the aftrenoon show of some movie.I was dragging my feet and simpering all along,with a bunch of cheerful friends.Some were there,some were about to come.I couldn't walk properly, provided that the strap of one of my sandals was torn and there was not a single cobbler in sight.

We realized we were before-time for the movie.Good enough.To get tickets worth 20 bucks in Nandan requires you to stand in the queue for quite some time.Anyway.Since I couldn't walk,I was spared the ordeal of standing.I've got some great friends.So I was sitting quietly trying to concentrate on the couple by my side.There came a beggar girl.She was around 10.She came.Stood in front and smiled at me.I was taken aback.I had been too busy with the couple.I hadn't seen her coming.She was obviously asking for money.I waited for her to speak up.She did not.She just stood there smiling.Finally I gave in.Told her I did not have change.The snacks corner could give change.She declared.I told her I did not have money(which was true).She made a face,nose puckered up and all.She gave me a piece of her mind.How can I not have money?..I had come for a movie after all.At this point,I had somewhat started enjoying the conversation.These girls always have their way with me,but that day,I seriously did not have money to spare.I kept on insisting.The girl only smiled.At last,she scampered off.I breathed relief.Not because i could not give her money,but because I did not have money.After a few minutes.She came back.I was bewildered.She had a rose in her hand.The flower was drooping,dull and dying.She handed it over to me.

That day,I had this churning feeling in my stomach.The little girl's gesture had done something.I kept on thinking about the incident,over and over again.The smirk on her face,when she handed me the flower.The careless search that followed,for some money,for at least one coin,that might be there inside my dirty ,unkempt handbag.There was zilch.