Day 2: The Rude Awakening

June 21, 1678

Dear brother,

It’s been a little while since we’ve written to each other. Everything back home is fine...generally. Mushu finally let me ride him! Of course, it took a whole two years for that to happen...but he finally let me ride him!

So..I’ve been holding off writing to you because something has happened to me. Lately at home, there’s been a lot going on. Because of all the traders, situations are getting worse. People are getting sick everywhere. At one point, Mushu was sick too..and he’s a big horse! He shouldn’t get sick! Anyways, it’s been getting worse. In the very beginning, it was one or two people at a time. Now, close to a quarter of the city is sick. A quarter! This has never happened before! Mommy and dada are freaking out trying to understand what has been going on. And, I guess I’m telling you this because I have some big news to tell you.

Remember how I told you dada’s been taking me to work? Well, the people he works with have finally begun accepting me! Sure, I’m a girl and I’m small and I have difficulty lifting heavy things, but I can reach all the little stuff and I can bend down more easily and hammer the stuff near the ground. But, that’s where the problem comes in. I’ve noticed this thing with my toe. Lately, when I’ve been working, it’s either been hurting or it feels really cold. Of course mommy says that it’s because I’m a girl doing a boy’s job. I’ve had it wrapped for a few days, and I’m going to go to the doctor’s hut right now with mommy to see what it is. Hopefully mommy was right and it’s not something the traders brought. I’ll tell you how it is after I come back.

This is bad! This is really bad! Brother! Why did you have to leave??? Why couldn’t you have stayed home??? This is what happens when you leave! I can’t believe you would leave your own baby sister behind while you go off and do your own thing. And yes, I did just come back from the doctor’s.

Sorry...I was really angry about what happened at the doctor’s, so that kinda just burst out. Now that I’ve calmed down for a couple hours...story time. When mommy and I went to the doctor’s, he unwrapped my bandages to see what was going on with my toe. At the sight of it, mommy fainted and the doctor shrieked like a little kitten (mommy promised that I could get one!). The skin on my toe had started decaying, and it was turning green. But some parts of it were still my skin. When mommy asked the doctor (after he finished screaming and she woke up) he said this sign could be very dangerous to my health. The only thing we could do was wrap it and hope it goes away. We aren't even sure what it is right now, but I got some plant things to grind and put on it in hopes that it'll eventually be fine. The only thing I know for sure now is that I'm not allowed to work with dada right now...

Your mopey little sister,

Chayana

Day 1: The Beginning

May 1, 1676

Dear brother,

It’s been two weeks since you’ve departed from Dacca, leaving me, mommy, and dada behind. I know this is best for you. The United States is beginning to flourish, and we are anticipating your success. Mushu misses you a lot. He neighs and kicks a lot when I try and ride him. I know what you’re going to say. That because I’m 10, I shouldn’t even be trying to ride Mushu. I wish you were here. He refuses to eat anything we try to feed him.

You’ve missed more than you would think just from being gone for two weeks. There are so many traders here now. Mommy won’t let me walk around alone anymore because she’s afraid that I’ll be taken by someone and sold somewhere.

Yesterday, we actually visited Bara Katra. Remember how you always wanted to see it when you were still here, but dada never had the time because he has to work in constructing the Lalbagh Fort? Uncle came to town, and he took over for dada for the day when he took me and mommy to Bara Katra. Of course, we weren’t allowed inside since Shah Shuja, the prince, was occupying it. It’s so different from the outskirts of town, where we live.

This past days have been incredible. Dada has actually started bringing me to work. He says I’m going to have to take over for him in construction as he gets older since you’re all the way in the United States. Of course, I don’t mind. It’s not like I can do anything academic since I’m a girl. Even then, there are some men on the construction site that ridicule Dada for bringing me with him, but he doesn’t care. Mommy would prefer me to find a boy and get married and have children. But I like being able to be free even though all girls my age are stuck at home with their mothers. I’ve always been a daddy’s girl though, and Dada likes having me around to help grab little things that he needs.

I really miss you over here. I wish you had stayed home instead of going to this foreign place where you don’t even know anyone. But, it’s for the best. You must remember that when you start making money, you’ll send a boat for us to bring us to you. Life will never be the same without you here. I hope you respond soon…

With love,

Your sister, Chayana (and Mushu the horse!)