February 13. “Button, we have to catch up with our story as we skipped writing yesterday. Whose turn is it?”

“Yours.”

You think she’ll get some food for me too?

You can eat off our plates. B

You are so kind. Sugar. Once again, I’m sorry for having woken you up and making your nose bleed. Now that takes care of food. Where will I sleep? By now, you also know that I wake up very early and I don’t wish to disturb you all if I can help it.

You can perch on that tree every night. That way, the Chowdhury’s wont get to see you and you will be pretty much safe! B

But I’d love to sleep where my friends sleep. I don’t want to do anything where I will feel left out. Is that fine with the four of you?

Absolutely. What you can then do is lie down beside us and go to sleep like we do! B

Around 9, after they’d all eaten the khichdi the lady and her daughter served them, the friends lay down beside each other and went to sleep.  

Around midnight, Sandy felt something climb atop his back. Since he was very sleepy, he continued to sleep without getting up and wake his other friends. But he opened his eyes once to see Redbull perched on his back. I must remember to ask Redbull tomorrow what he thought he was doing perched on my back, he thought. B

And what did you think you were doing perched on my back? asked Sandy of Redbull the next morning.

I felt somewhat uncomfortable sitting on the ground and, therefore, climbed on to your back. I hope you don’t mind! I can take turns to sit on my other friends’ backs too. I slept much better there. B

The strays had no option but nod in agreement.