I awoke the next morning to find Salim gone, and Jamal watching me. "Salim's gone to find breakfast," Jamal said, petting my hair. "You're really peaceful when you sleep, did you know that?" I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the last drops of sleep away from me. Sunlight filtered through between the walls of the houses and the rug, giving our little fort an eerie feel.

I sat up suddenly, remembering my dream. It was really rather peaceful. "What?" Jamal questioned, looking at me with his curious brown eyes. I shook my head.

"Just remembering my dream."

The little boy nodded. "What was it about?"

I felt heat rush to my face again, embarrassed to tell him. "You can tell me," he whispered, placing his hand on mine. I nodded, feeling the comfort his touch always gave me.

"Well, we were all older. You, Salim, and me; we all were much older. We traveled around the world, getting famous, and getting lots and lots of money. We all lived in a big, fancy house, and lived well. It was so normal, and we loved it. It was a lovely dream, really," I lied. My dream had really been about the two of us, living together, having a family. I shivered, a nasty habit I had whenever I lied.

"That does sound like the good life," Jamal commented. "The three of us, going off together on adventures. You and me, always together. I could buy you new dresses everyday. I could spoil you, and buy you anything you wanted. Would you like that?" Jamal's eyes lit up at his own fantasy. He wiggled his eyebrows at me, "Wouldn't you love it if I spoiled you?"

I giggled. "Yes I would. You would lose all your money, since you would spend it on me, though. Wouldn't you save some for yourself?" I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. "Wouldn't you want to spend some on yourself?"

Jamal stood. "If it was for you, my princess, I would spend all the money of the world on you! I would buy you every sari you loved, every dress you adored, every piece of jewelry you wanted! I would buy you everything you desired." He stuck out his hand for me to take. "Then we would get dressed up, and I would show you off to the world and say, 'this is Latika! She is the most beautiful girl in the world! Look at her beauty!' And all the men would be jealous, and envy us," he concluded his own story of us. "Would you like for that to happen, Latika?" Jamal placed his hand on mine, and pulled me closer. "We could make it happen," he breathed into my ear.

I held his hand tightly. "I would love for that to happen," I whispered into his tiny ear. Then, ever so gently, Jamal kissed my cheek. My cheeks burned, worse than ever before. I pulled away and looked into his deep brown eyes. Quickly, I kissed his cheek in return.

"Here. Eat some food," Salim ordered from the doorway. I turned, startled. How long had he been standing there?

The three of us ate in silence, not wanting to discuss the morning's events. I took tiny bites of my apples, attempting to savor it. I glanced over at Jamal, who had his eyes locked on me. He smiled a bit, almost unnoticeable. His brown eyes shimmered, even in the pale morning light. I smiled back at him, feeling the warmth spread all over my body. Salim coughed, breaking the spell between Jamal and me.

I looked over at the eldest. Salim stood, finished with his breakfast. "Come on, let's go find a real place to live." I looked up at Salim, not ready to go. "Stand up, Latika," He ordered, and grabbed my arm. "I said we are leaving," he pulled me up roughly, squeezing my arm tightly. I pulled my arm from his grasp. We stood there, glaring at each other, waiting for the other to break.

"Come on, let's go, Salim." Jamal said, tugging his brother's arm. "Let it go," he whispered.

Salim blinked, and nodded. "Come on, Latika. We are going to find a place to live and sleep and eat."

I nodded and followed behind the brothers. They talked fast, in low voices. Salim looked over his shoulder, and looked at me. I cocked my head to the side, trying to figure out what they were talking about. Suddenly, Salim raised his voice, "Jamal-don't. It's not worth it." Quickly, Salim lowered his voice again.

We wandered through Bombay, searching for a new home. Then we found it. A dumpsite. It was perfect for us. We could recycle almost everything there, and it was a short distance from the dumpsite to the market, so we could go and beg for food and money. This place was perfect for us.

Quickly, I ran and grabbed Jamal's hand. "Come on, let's go," I giggled, and pulled him along. Jamal laughed and ran with me.

"Come on, Salim! Don't be a sour puss," He laughed over his shoulder. Jamal squeezed my hand and helped me up the large pile of debris. I looked down and groaned.

"What," Jamal asked, panicked. I shook me head and pointed to my dress.

"I got something on it," I complained. Jamal laughed and swung an arm around me. "Oh, this is why we keep you, just for laughs."

I glared playfully at him and pushed him slightly. "Thanks, that means a lot to me," I said sarcastically.

"Hey, some help would be nice," Salim called from the side of the pile. I looked down and giggled. I nudged Jamal and pointed to Salim.

"He looks like monkey, no?" Jamal looked down and laughed. He grabbed my arm, trying not to fall from his laughter. I held his arm, laughing just as hard. Salim glared up at us, not finding it the least bit funny.

"Come on, help me get up!" He yelled.

Jamal laughed even harder. "All right, all right. I'll help you up," he said between fits of giggles. Jamal reached down, and grabbed his brother's hand. Grunting, he pulled Salim up. They sat there for a second, looking at the slum a few kilometers off.

"All right, Let's go find our house," Salim said, hoisting himself up from the piled debris. "Come on." Salim stood, his hand outstretched. I took it, and pulled myself up. Salim smiled at me, attempting to look innocent. I smiled back, sensing something beneath his child eyes.

The three of us walked around, searching for something to build a makeshift house with. Together, we found two sticks, a piece of string, tattered cloth, and a tire wheel. Salim built a little tent for us, while Jamal and I went to the market to get food.

Jamal and I walked the narrow alleyways of the farmer's market, hand in hand. "What should we get," I asked, leading him to a small booth. "Mmmm, can we get some mangos, or apples, or bananas," he replied softly, not wanting to be heard. I nodded, only enough for him to see. The stall had piles of apples, mangos, papayas, and oranges. Jamal talked to the farmer, distracting him. Quickly, I grabbed two apples and a mango, and began walking off. I headed over to the entrance of the market, not wanting to get stopped.

Jamal ran up, a smile on his face. "Can I have the mango?" I laughed at him. I shook my head, but handed him the mango. He smiled and hugged me tightly. "Thank you!" I laughed and continued walking towards the dumpsite. Jamal munched on the mango happily, not saying anything.

"I have a question," I said softly, glancing at Jamal. "Ask away, my dear," he giggled, placing his arm around my neck.

"Why is Salim like that? Why is he mean to me?"

Jamal was silent for a few minutes, thinking of how to answer me. Finally, he spoke softly, "Well, I think when we saw our mother die, something died within him. The kindness left the moment we saw her fall down." I gave him a one-armed hug.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. I hugged him a bit tighter. "But, he's not that bad, right?" Jamal looked at me and kissed my cheek once more.

"This is why I keep you around, to be the sun in my world, and make everything seem brighter, even in the darkest days." He kissed my cheek once more, and took an apple from me. "Let me help you up," He whispered, and took the other apple as well.

That night we slept well, our stomachs almost full for the first time in days. I slept peacefully, dreaming of a world where Jamal and I lived together, spending our money on each other, and showing our love off to the world. Dreamland was so much better than reality.