FORTY
The knocking continued as I made my way to the front door.
Jagadamba from across the road stood on my doorstep, her dark eyes worried. "Caitlin! We were all so worried about you and the newspapers kept saying you would not return alive..."
I smiled. "You know me, Jaga. I'm too tough to kill."
"What happened to you?" she asked.
I sighed. "More than any girl should have to put up with." She smelled of spices – the sort that set my hungry stomach off again.
"Oh, don't you worry. You'll be back into life in no time. I know you!" she said fiercely. She dropped her voice. "Would you like some biryani? I made extra when I saw you arrive home, because I thought you'd have nothing in the house and no time to cook." She held up a covered dish and the spicy smell intensified.
I think I d
