Monday

Monday was surprisingly dull. I knew from experience that around 4 was the best time to visit Vindya, and I decided to drop in on the Adoption Office a little before that. So, about 3:30, I showed up there, poked my head in the door to make sure they knew I was there (Mrs. A2 looked annoyed) and sat down with my e-reader in the line of people on the benches.

Monsoon season has started. In Hyderabad, this means that there is a light shower in the late afternoon, and the heat has broken, so the rest of the day is very comfortable. The benches outside the adoption section face the courtyard, and when the afternoon rain started, I was made aware of it by the scent of Gill. Those perfume makers know what they are doing!

I waited, and eventually Mrs. N came by, smiled at me and asked why I was here. I explained that I just wanted to check in, see if the director had had time to read my file, and how things are going. She went into the office to see. About 15 minutes later, she came back out and said that she was going to go over to the director's office and check for me. Sometime later (did I mention I was reading? I wasn't really keeping track of time) she came back past me into the office. After another delay, she came out to get me.

While all this was going on, there were other people there. Several other staff people came out and talked to them, but none of them went into the office. The man next to me openly read over my shoulder. I'm a fast reader, and I'm guessing English is at least his second language, I doubt he got much out of it. From time to time, people would get up and leave, and the rest of us would all shift to the left. So, by the time Mrs. N came out to tell me that Madam (Mrs. A2) would talk to me, I was the only one out there. It was also nearly 5.

Mrs. A2 said that I could take Vindya tomorrow (Tuesday)! I was delighted and said so, and got one of my first uncomplicated smiles back from Mrs. A2. I asked when, and we agreed that I would come around 11. She and Mrs. N both told me repeatedly that I would need to write a handwritten letter, stating who I am and that I will not take Vindya out of Hyderabad. I said no problem and offered to do it then, but they said to wait until tomorrow morning. They also told me to bring a camera, as they need a photo of me and Vindya at the handover. I said I would bring that, and they said I should give them a print. There was some back and forth, since I don't know how to get prints, although I can e-mail them a copy, but we agreed to settle that tomorrow. I told them I was on my way to the sisuvihar, and would they inform the ladies there? Mrs. A2 asked me not to go, because they had a government inspector today and didn't have time for me. I agreed to that, even though it is the first day I haven't seen Vindya since I got here.

Then, to push my luck, I asked about expedited court order and expedited passport. They said no problem with the expedited passport. I pushed them on the court order, and they waffled. (I think this is really not their expertise, to be fair.) Mrs. A2 said they would call the advocate and see what the situation is. I reminded her that the director said she would write requesting an expedited court order. She repeated that she would talk to the advocate. (After I left, I realized that I should have told them that Mrs. S has talked to my agency about this expedited court order, but I forgot. Since I strongly expect to be told today that the court order is not being expedited, I'll use that line today.)

I was excited enough that I asked the driver to take me to Ohri's, the hotel that Deb had recommended I stay at. They have a little ice cream parlor on the ground floor, and I felt like celebrating. It's a nice little place, and I decided to bring Vindya there. (On a side note, I'm only booked here until the 23rd. Is it worth it to move to Ohri's, which is nicer and more or less the same price? Probably not, since I've already written out this hotel in my letter requesting Vindya. On the other hand, they have two better restaurants on the premises, plus the ice cream place, and some rooms have a kitchenette. Hm.. Decisions, decisions.)

So, my time, it is 8:30am on Tuesday, and the car is coming to pick me up at 10. We will make a stop at a grocery store for some things I can make with boiling water, and then go to the sisuvihar to get Vindya. I have a list of questions and requests for her caregivers, most of which I don't expect to get answered. I'm hoping she is calm, although based on court last week, she may be scared and cry anytime she is in public. So the rest of the day, we'll play by ear.