Lalita stood at the entrance, the automatic doors opening and closing in front of her. She knew where she needed to go and what she needed to do; she had done this with her mother before. But her feet would not move.
Lalita stared at the ground, her eyes burning as tears threatened to fall. Her mother would be angry if she returned empty-handed. She had to go in, but she had never been here by herself. Worse, there were so many people inside that it frightened her more.
"Kid, you're blocking the entrance."
Lalita looked up at the person who spoke. It was a teenage boy. He had on the store's uniform and was standing in front of her with a shopping cart. She quickly stepped to the side and watched as he pushed past her. Now that her feet were working again, she hurried through the doors.
Several people looked at her. Terrified of the stares, Lalita kept her head down and her eyes on the floor as she made her way through the store.
Infant milk. That's why her mother had sent her to the store. She knew which one to get—the one with the green packaging next to the wheat and honey Cerelac that she liked.
Lalita picked up a can and happily made her way to the checkout. But all the lines were long, and the adults had scary, tired looks on their faces.
"Dear, you can get in line with me if you'd like."
It was an old woman, two places away from the cashier. Lalita nodded and stood with the old woman. After she checked out, she thanked the old woman and quickly hurried home.
"What the hell took so long?!"
"There were lines." Lalita said coyly.
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