"I grew up on the streets. I was a very naughty child -- I remember a group of us, all under the age of 10, picked up the terrible habit of stealing. It wasn't about the money, it was the thrill we got out of pressuring each other into almost getting caught -- we stole the smallest of things, things we didn't even want or need.
Once, while I was trying to steal something and my friends were cheering me on from the side, my father caught me in action. I knew he was furious, but all day he said nothing. I was so scared to go home in the evening -- his silence was killing me. When he saw me, he didn't raise his voice or say anything to make me feel guilty he just said the word, 'please, never do it again'. That was the most ashamed I'd ever felt in my entire life; I can never forget the look in his eyes -- of love and disappointment at the same time.
At that exact moment, I decided to become someone my father would be proud of. It was hard to cut off from those friends, but I did and instead spent that time studying. I began to do really well at school, and picked up odd jobs to help my father with my family income. I'm 20 today, and recently topped my exams. I also give tours around Dhobi Ghat to people to make extra money.
It's been 10 years since that incident, and I've slowly rebuilt my father's trust. He's my best friend now, he often pats me on the back and smiles at me as he watches me study or work -- I can't thank him enough for helping me turn it around." Humans of Bombay, Fb
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