Billion Dollars Girl
PROLOGUE
A small house in a village~
FL Mom
The neighbor’s here, Meilin.
Meilin/Anastasia
Okay, Ma.
Meilin/Anastasia
*...Another evening, another visitor. Why do they always come to compare their lives with ours*🙄
Neighbour
You know my daughter? She’s in Dubai now.
Neighbour
Sends me money every month. I don’t worry about food anymore.
FL Mom
Dubai? How… she didn’t even have a passport.
Neighbour
There are agents.
Neighbour
They handle everything—passport, training, even the ticket.
FL Dad
How much does it cost?
Neighbour
No money upfront. Just four months of her salary.
Neighbour
After that, the rest is hers.
FL Mom
(softly, to Father)
Maybe… we can send Meilin.
Neighbour
She’s young, strong. They’d take her.
Neighbour
Six months of training, then she’ll go wherever she chooses.
FL Dad
(sighs, eyes heavy)
She is the eldest. The family depends on her.
Meilin/Anastasia
*Waaa..... Can my parents take a break and think if it's a scam or not?*😞
FL Mom
It’s decided then. Meilin will go.
Meilin/Anastasia
*Can they ask my opinion first?*🥲
FL Mom
Do you have their number? The agents?
Neighbour
Of course. Wait, I’ll write it down. Keep it safe.
FL Dad
How soon can she start?
Neighbour
Anytime. They’re always taking new youngsters.
Neighbour
The sooner she goes, the sooner she earns.
Meilin/Anastasia
(silently serving tea, eyes lowered)
Meilin/Anastasia
*I'm not allowed to speak. They always says it's not my place*
FL Mom
Meilin, keep this number. Don’t lose it
FL Dad
This is for your own good. Don’t argue.
Meilin/Anastasia
*That’s all I ever do. Nod, obey, carry their hopes on my shoulders.*
Neighbour
Don’t worry. After training, she’ll be ready. She’ll thank you one day.
Meilin/Anastasia
*Thank them? Maybe.*
Neighbour
Okay then, I'm leaving (standing up)
FL Dad
Thank you for your kind information
Neighbour
No old friend. I just want your daughter to be able to help you.
Note: This scene actually happened in real life.
I just wrote what I heard and saw
The Journey Begins
Note: From here on.... it's pure fictions and my delusions.
FL Mom
Don’t forget your bag. Clothes, documents… everything’s inside?
FL Dad
The bus leaves at 6. Don’t miss it.
Meilin/Anastasia
I’ll be there.
FL Mom
Call when you cross each state, okay? We’ll worry
FL sister
DD...will you come back soon?
Meilin/Anastasia
Of course. Be good. Take care of Ma.
FL Dad
The agent’s place is far. Four states away. But don’t be scared.
FL Dad
The others traveling with you will guide you.
FL Dad
Yes, children like you. All going for training.
Meilin/Anastasia
I'm not a child Dad. I'm 20 okay
FL Dad
Remember, Meilin. This is for the family.
Meilin/Anastasia
I know, Baba.
Meilin/Anastasia
(chuckle and hug her mom)
And just like that, she stepped into the bus. Four states. One unknown future.
But all she tells herself is— obey. Always obey
? ? ?
Tickets, tickets! Show me.
Meilin/Anastasia
(hands over ticket, clutching bag)
? ? ?
(softly) You too… going to the agent’s place?
Meilin/Anastasia
Yes… you?
? ? ?
Same. I’m from Assam. Name’s Rina.
Agent 1
Both of you, sit together. I’ll be nearby.
Agent 1
No talking to strangers on the way.
Meilin/Anastasia
I think so. Neighbor said he’ll guide us.
Agent 1
Four states. Long ride. Keep quiet, keep close. Don’t lose your things.
Rina
(whispers) Do you know what kind of job we’ll get?
Meilin/Anastasia
No… Ma said… maybe hotel, maybe shop work.
Rina
Same. I just hope I can send money home soon.
Meilin/Anastasia
(smile)
Me too
Agent 1
Sleep if you can. When you wake up, you’ll already be far from home.
Agent 1
Eat quick. Bus leaves in ten minutes.
Rina
At least they pay for everything…
Meilin/Anastasia
*But if they pay, don’t they own us already?*
Agent 1
Two more. Don’t ask again.
Meilin/Anastasia
My phone battery’s dying… Baba told me to call.
Agent 1
You’ll call later. No need now.
🚌 Bus Bumpy Roads:
(thuds, rattles)
Rina
Feels like we’re going nowhere.
Meilin/Anastasia
(smiles faintly) Maybe nowhere is where we’re going.
Agent 1
Quiet. Both of you.
Agent 1
Wake up. We’re here.
Meilin/Anastasia
(eyes sting, neck stiff from sleeping upright. rubs face, look outside.)
The Welcome
A big gated compound.
Faded walls.
Barbed wire on top.
No signboard.
A line of tired-looking boys and girls waiting to get in.
Agent 1
Get off. Take your bags. Stay in line.
Meilin/Anastasia
(I step onto the dirt ground. My legs wobble after a week of buses, trains, endless roads. I thought I’d feel relief. Instead, my chest feels heavy.)
Rina
It doesn’t look like training… more like… prison.
Agent 1
Shut up. You’ll get used to it.
Meilin/Anastasia
*Used to what?*
Suddenly,a woman walk out of the place
Agent 2
Welcome, children! You must be tired after such a long journey.
Agent 2
Come, come inside.
Rina
(whispers) She seems nice…
Agent 1
My job ends here. Listen to her now.
Agent 2
Don’t be afraid. This place is safe.
Agent 2
You’ll eat, sleep, and learn here. Think of me as your older sister.
A long dormitory with rows of bunk beds.
A mess hall with steel plates stacked high.
A classroom with plastic chairs and a chalkboard.
A courtyard, enclosed by tall walls.
Meilin/Anastasia
A school with locks on every door.
Agent 2
Now, children, let’s gather in the hall. I want to know each of you. We are a family here.
Agent 2
Introduce yourselves. Name, where you’re from, and why you’re here.
Arjun
I’m Arjun… from Bihar. My parents sent me. I want to earn.
? ? ?
My name is Lhamo… from Sikkim. I came to support my younger brothers.
Rina
I’m Rina, from Assam. I just want to help my mother.
Meilin/Anastasia
…Meilin. From xxxxxxxx. Eldest daughter. My family depends on me.
Agent 2
(gently claps her hands)
Good. Very good. Each of you has your reasons.
Agent 2
Remember, here we help you become strong, useful, successful. You will not regret coming here.
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