Now she was pregnant again - it was Mandeep's baby - she told himso."Huh?" was all he said in a distracted way. But he thought about it...long and hard."Give me money for an abortion."

"No. No abortions...I have a plan."

"Well I'm not going through nine months of carrying your child to satisfy some stupid plan.""Just shut up. I'll let you know in three days' time."

Mandeep visited the wealthier merchants in the market place. "How much for the unbornchild?" They asked.

"Three hundred and thirty thousand rupees." He told them.

"You'll never see the child ever again." They told him"That's O.K." he said.

"We'll let you know."

Three days went past; then a week, then ten days. No news from any of the merchants."Look, I can't wait any longer," said Roomi, "Abortion will become dangerous and the Dhaiswill charge more."

Mandeep went to the other side of town, Govindpur, where the rich businessmen and wealthymerchants lived. He picked out a large house that had a yard in front. After a long wait he was let in -he was wearing the cleanest and best clothes he possessed.

"How much?" was the first question asked by the Sethji trader.

"Three lacks." He said hesitantly.

"What caste?"

"I don't know," said Mandeep. "When the child is born you can make him any caste you like.""Bring your wife and come here in an hour or two and we'll see."

Mandeep returned three hours later. He had bought a new outfit for Roomi and had hergroomed at the local beauty salon. Roomi was naturally a pretty girl and had wheatish coloured skin.Mandeep saw that after a manicure and pedicure she definitely did not look like a street kid.The Sethji was pleasantly surprised when he saw Roomi for with a bit of grooming she might befairly acceptable in society.

Gulprasad Sethji was 48 years old and his wife was forty two - they had no issues; though hehad tried to get a child with other women whom he kept in his large house with his wife's consent. Thispresent offer would appear to be an adequate solution.

"Come back tomorrow and I will let you know my decision. Your wife can stay here for thenight."

When Mandeep returned next day he had to look twice before he recognized Roomi - she waswashed, bathed, and fresh with a new haircut, jewelry, make-up and fancy shoes.Negotiations got underway almost immediately.

"You are not married to her, you know. So why should I give you three lacks?""I am married to her," he lied, "we exchanged garlands and the child is mine." The others thatsat in on the negotiations were Gulprasad's wife, uncle, and Roomi"If I pay you the three lacks you are never to come here ever again - is that clearlyunderstood?"

"Yes. But can't I come to see my wife?"

"No! She is not your wife, never was and never will be. Is that understood?""Will you let me know whether it's a boy or girl?"

"Nothing! You will sever all ties now and here. You will also sign these documents."A half hour later Mandeep was allowed to leave with three lack rupees weighing heavy in hisbag. Roomi smiled and hugged him; her eyes were brimming with tears."Take care, Mandeep, I am very fond of you."

"Yes, Madam Ji, after the child is born you might get your driver to drive you over to the neckof woods where I operate from. We could even make another baby and I could then make another threelacks."

"Don't sound sour, Mandeep. This was all your idea, and a good one. I was just going to abortit."

"I'm not sour. This way not only have I got paid, but you have got yourself a good life and thetiny mite in your belly has got a shot at life too."