The Bridge Home

Throughout the day, Viji tries to believe the medicine she has given Rukku is working, though by evening it clearly is not. She and Arul discuss what their options are and decide they have no recourse but to take Rukku and Muthu to see Celina Aunty.

Arul carries Rukku and Viji leads Muthu through “needles of rain” to the address Viji remembered (Page 146). The gate is locked but Viji rattles the gate and calls loudly for help and Celina Aunty appears.

Celina Aunty takes Rukku from Arul, who will not come into the school. Once inside, Aunty calls the doctor, who comes to the school and examines the sick children, asking Viji many questions about their illness. As the doctor talks to Aunty, Viji looks at the cross on the wall and says the Christian prayer Arul taught her as well as all the Hindu prayers her mother used to pray.

An ambulance comes for Rukku and Muthu. Viji and Aunty ride with them. Aunty tells Viji the doctor suspects the children have Dengue Fever.