Some early lines from the book "No One is Anywhere":
As Munna approached the gate, she tried to look at her watch. The dial was so small that nothing was visible. It couldn't be seen in the light, and now it was dark. She had checked the time as soon as she got off the rickshaw—it was half-past seven. It had taken no more than four minutes to come from the corner of the alley to here. Therefore, it was now twenty-five minutes past seven. It hasn't been such a late night. Yet, Munna felt uneasy. It was late returning yesterday as well. Her uncle, Mr. Shawkat, didn't say a word. He acted as if he hadn't seen Munna at all. He would likely do the same today. Munna carefully opened the gate and entered. The place was muddy and slippery. She had told Babu twice in the morning to lay some bricks. He hadn't done it. He hadn't even turned on the light on the porch. If she slipped and fell, her sari would get spoiled. A new Jamdani sari. She had just worn it for the first time today. If mud got on it once, it wouldn't come off. Munna started to carefully advance, stepping cautiously. Her uncle's voice could be heard. He was teaching English loudly. In the morning, the shepherd boy was playing the flute; what would that be in English? The Bakuli tree was rustling. Perhaps it had gotten a slap. Lately, her uncle's mood had been quite bad. Munna tried to mentally translate. What would "the shepherd boy" be in English? Farmer boy? Or something else? Distractedly, she knocked on the door—once, twice, three times. As no one came forward to open the door, Munna called softly—Bakuli, hey Bakuli. Bakuli glanced fearfully at his father. Mr. Shawkat raised his voice—let's do a translation.