“I want to work and earn a lot of money”, announced Bilbin. Though feeble, it was hard to miss that unflinching determination in his voice. “Why do you need so much money?”, I asked. Then he told me his dream of building a house with his own money. I was surprised that he didn't want to buy chocolates or clothes like most kids wanted to. Looked like he had realized the value of money at a very young age. He had been through the misery of seeing his Dad die, because he had no money to pay the hospital bills.

Bilbin is not really picky about the kind of job that he wants to do. He is open to any kind of honest job and doesn't really want to confine himself. His previous experience of working at the construction sites and delivering gas cylinders taught him that working hard definitely pays. So he wouldn't mind continuing in one of these jobs if it fetches him more money.

I watched him talk and listened intently as he spoke. He remained silent most of the time, even in the company of friends. He spoke only when spoken to, and remained lost in his thoughts. I wasn't sure whether he was weighing his words or was too scared to speak up his mind. And I could sense a certain sadness about him. I asked him about his interests and as he spoke, he revealed that he loved driving and liked to go for cycle races. I gathered that going to school was never one of his priorities. I tried reasoning with him that a sound education can land him a better job, and a better job meant better money. With a smile he replied, “I like to study, but I fall asleep in class”. That was probably the only time he smiled in the entire conversation.