The Mother I Never Knew: Two Novellas - WordPress.com · 2020. 5. 1. · THE MOTHER I NEVER KNEW...
Transcript of The Mother I Never Knew: Two Novellas - WordPress.com · 2020. 5. 1. · THE MOTHER I NEVER KNEW...
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SUDHAMURTY
TheMotherINeverKnew
TwoNovels
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Contents
AbouttheAuthor
Alsobythesameauthor
Dedication
Venkatesh
UnexpectedNews
ADifferenceofOpinion
ANewCity
ACaseofMistakenIdentity
TheMeeting
Revelation
ANewLife
UncoveringthePast
SeekingtheTruth
AMeetingwiththePast
AFather’sDebt
Mukesh
TheFall
PhoneCalls
TheOutsider
TheShatteringSecret
ForaBetterLife
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ASon’sRight
BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor
TheInnocenceofLove
AJourneyContinued
TheFinalStop
WhatMattersintheEnd
Acknowledgements
FollowPenguin
Copyright
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PENGUINBOOKS
THEMOTHERINEVERKNEW
SudhaMurtywasbornin1950inShiggaoninnorthKarnataka.ShedidherMTechincomputerscience,andisnowthechairpersonoftheInfosysFoundation.AprolificwriterinEnglishandKannada,shehaswrittennovels,technicalbooks,travelogues,collectionsofshortstoriesandnon-fictionalpieces,andfourbooksforchildren.HerbookshavebeentranslatedintoallthemajorIndianlanguages.SudhaMurtywastherecipientoftheR.K.NarayanAwardforLiteratureand
thePadmaShriin2006,andtheAttimabbeAwardfromthegovernmentofKarnatakaforexcellenceinKannadaliteraturein2011.
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Alsobythesameauthor
FICTION
DollarBahuMahashweta
GentlyFallstheBakulaHouseofCards
NON-FICTION
WiseandOtherwiseTheOldManandHisGod
TheDayIStoppedDrinkingMilk
CHILDREN’SFICTION
HowITaughtMyGrandmothertoReadandOtherStoriesTheMagicDrumandOtherFavouriteStories
TheBirdwithGoldenWings:StoriesofWitandMagicGrandma’sBagofStories
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TomyfriendLakshmiforalwaysgivingmetherightperspectivethroughour
decade-longfriendship
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Venkatesh
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1
UnexpectedNews
VenkateshwasterriblyupsetwhenhefoundoutthathehadbeentransferredtoHubli.Hedidn’tknowwhathewasgoingtodoaboutit.Absent-mindedly,hestarteddrivingtowardshishouseinJayanagar.Hehadknownthathistransferwasdueatthebank,andhewouldnothave
mindedgoingtoaplacenearbylikeKanakapura,KolarorMysore.ButHubli?Itseemedsounfamiliaranddistant.TheendofsummerwaspleasantlywarminBangalore.WhoknewhowitwasinHubli?‘MaybeIshouldlistentomycolleagues,’hethought.Venkateshknewthathe
didnotreallyneedajob.Hisfamilywashealthyandfinanciallysound.Hisco-workersoftenremarkedthathadtheybeeninhisshoes,theywouldhaveoptedforvoluntaryretirement,butVenkateshdidnotliketobeidle.Hiswife,Shanta,ranthehouseveryefficientlyandhandledthefamilyfinancesbetterthananinvestmentbanker.Sotherewasnothingforhimtodoathomeeither.Hewasjust‘Madam’shusband’tothehouseholdhelpwhoknewthathehadnosayinanymatter.Whenhereachedhome,Shantawasonherwayout.Heguessedfromthe
fancyclothesthatshehadaprogrammeattheLadies’Club.Shewasproudtobepresidentthere.Besidesthat,shewasamemberofthecollegecommitteeandvicepresidentoftheschoolcommitteewhilebeinganactiveinvestorinthestockmarket.Shewasscarcelyathome,andwhenshewas,shewaspermanentlyonthephoneorthelaptop.Theirdaughter,Gauri,wouldoftenchidehermother,‘Amma,pleasetakeyour
businessoutside.Yourunendingtelephonecallsdisturbmystudytime.’ItalwaysmadeShantaangry.WhenVenkateshsawhiswifetoday,henoticedthatshehadcolouredherhair,
gotafacialandappliedmake-up.Yet,thelinesofageshoweddistinctlyonher
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faceandhands.Shewasanunabashedshow-offandwasparticularlyconsciousofherappearance;shewaswearinganewwhitesariwithdiamondearrings,alongwithdiamondbanglesandadiamondnecklace.Itmustbeaspecialoccasiontocallforththeservicesofsomanydiamondsatonce,hethought.Shanta’ssharpvoicecutthroughhisthoughts,‘IhavetoseeAppaonmyway
backfromtheevent.Ammaisn’tfeelingverywelleither.SoI’mgoingtobelate.Don’twaitformeatdinner.’Sheleftwithoutwaitingforareply.Shanta’sparentslivednearbyinJayanagar.Thoughshehadaskedthemto
comeandlivewithher,theyhadnotagreedandwereadamantaboutstayingattheirownplace.Hermotherhadsaid,‘Itisnotpropertostaywiththeson-in-law.Ifwecontinuestayinginourhouse,wecankeepadistanceandbeclosetoyouatthesametime.’Shantahadrelentedbutvisitedthematleastonceeverydaydespiteherbusy
schedule.Venkateshlaydownonthesofa.WhenGauricamedownstairsafewminutes
later,shefoundhimdeepinthought.Shewasimmediatelyconcerned,‘What’swrong,Anna?Areyoufeelingunwell?’Helookedathisdaughter.Gauriwastall,thin,duskyandattractive.Shewasa
quietandintelligentgirlandVenkateshlovedherwithallhisheart.‘Gauri,IhavebeentransferredtoHubli,’hesaid,hisvoicefullofdespair.‘Sowhat?Whyareyouupset?Hubliisnotfar.Ifyouleaveatnight,you’llbe
therebymorning.Cheerup,Anna,cheerup.’Gauriwasaneternaloptimist;shecouldmakeanyonefeelbetter.‘Youdon’tunderstand.Imayhavetosetuphousethere.Theplaceisnewto
meandIdon’tknowwhenI’llbetransferredbackhere...’‘Anna,therearetwosolutionstoyourproblem,’Gauriinterrupted.‘Youcan
askAmmatouseherconnectionsandgetthetransfercancelled;oryoucangothere,stayforayearandtrytocomebackafterthat.’Venkateshdidnotwanttocancelthetransferthroughunofficialchannels.
Besides,heknewwhathisbusiness-mindedwifewouldsay:‘Whydoyouworkforsuchameagresalary?Mymanagerispaidmorethanyou.Askforvoluntaryretirementandrelaxathome.’
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Shantaspokelittle,andwasalwaystothepoint.Sometimesitseemedthatshewasdevoidofallfeeling.Herlackofemotionmayhavebeenofgreathelpinherbusiness,buthowcouldanyonelivelifelikethat?Venkateshwasfeelinghotanddecidedtoshowerforthesecondtimeinthe
day.Hishousewasfullyequippedwithmodernamenities—thankstoShantaandtheirolderchild,Ravi.ThoughRavihadbeenyoungduringtheconstructionofthehouse,hehadsatdownanddiscussedeverythingwithhismother.RaviwasnowinAmerica.Hehadforeseenthebusinesspossibilitiesin
computersandmajoredincomputerscience.Afterhisengineeringstudies,hehadimmediatelyfoundasoftwarejobandthecompanyhadsenthimtotheUSA.Hecalledhismotheroftentotalktoher.‘Timeshavechanged,Amma.WhowantstostayinAmericapermanently?I’llworkherefortwoyearsandthenI’llstartmyowncompanyinIndia,’hewouldsay.‘Yes,youmust.Don’tbefoolishlikeyourfatherandacceptan
inconsequentialjobofferandsticktoit.Fortunedoesn’ttaponeveryone’sdoor,youknow.OnlythecourageousandaggressivewinLakshmiover,’Shantawouldadviseherson.Whileshowering,VenkateshheardGaurilayingthetableinthenextroom.He
thoughtofheraffectionately.ShehadbeendifferentfromRavirightfromherchildhood.Shethoughtabouttheconsequencesofheractionsbeforedoinganything.GaurihadcompletedherMBBSandwasnowinthefirstyearofherMDingynaecology,buthermotherwasdisappointedwithherchoiceofprofession.Withherintelligence,patienceandabilitytoremaincalminanysituation,GauriwouldhavebeenverysuccessfulhadsheoptedforanMBA.ShantaknewthatRaviplannedtoownacomputerbusiness.ShethoughtthatifGaurialsofollowedRavi’scareerpath,thefamilycouldearnalotofmoney.ShantahadtriedhardtoconvinceGauriafterherMBBS,‘Gauri,babiesare
deliveredtwenty-fourhoursaday.You’llneverfindthetimetorelaxordoanythingelse.Youhavestudiedhard,andinvestedmoneyandenergy.Butthereisbarelyanyreturnfortheamountofworkdoctorsmustdo.Listentomeandpursueabusinesscourse.Ifyouunderstandthesharebusiness,youcanearnmanycroreswithinayearwithcarefulinvestmentsinthestockmarket...’‘Amma,shouldIbuyacowjustbecauseIhavearope?Idon’tunderstandor
liketheinvestmentbusinessatall.Iwanttocontinuestudyingmedicineright
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now.Ireallylikeit,’Gaurihadsaid.ShantahadturnedtoRaviandgrumbled,‘Thisgirlisdownrightidealistic;it’s
becauseshe’sgoteverythingsoeasily.Shedoesn’tthinkaboutherfutureorhowshewillearnmoney.Instead,shemisunderstandswhateverIsay.IfIwerealsoadreamerlikethefatherandthedaughter,bothGauriandyouwouldhavebeenonthestreets.Doessherealizetheeffortandsacrificebehindallmyachievements?Shesimplysayswhatevercomestohermind.’‘Amma,youstilldon’tknowwhataproblemshecanbe—justwaituntilsheis
married,’Ravihadsaid,provokinghismotherfurther.‘Maybe.Orperhapsherfatherissupportinghersecretly.Otherwise,howcan
shebesobold?’Shantahadgotfuriousatthethought.Butsheneverexpressedherwrath.Businesshadtaughtherabiglesson:sheshouldneverrevealhertruefeelingstoanyone—noteventoherdaughter.UnlikeShanta,VenkateshwasopenwithGauriandtheyoftenhadfrank
discussions.Peoplefrequentlycommentedthatintheirfamily,thesontookafterthemotherandthedaughterafterthefather.Venkateshsteppedoutofthebathroomafterhisshoweranddonnedathin
pyjamaandkurta.HeenteredthediningroomandfoundGauripouringwatermelonjuiceintotwoglasses.Shelookedupwhenhewalkedin,‘Anna,youlooktired.Doyouwanttoeat
something?’Venkateshsmiledandshookhishead.‘DoyouknowwhyAmmawasdresseduptoday?’sheasked.‘Igottheimpressionthatthere’saneventattheLadies’Club.’‘Yes,thereisanimportantmeetingattheclubthisevening.Buttheinteresting
newsisthatMrsVeenaPurushottamisgoingtopresideoverit.Youmusthaveheardofher,haven’tyou?’‘Yes,Ihave.She’soneoftherichestsocialiteKannadigasinBangaloreand
usuallymakesanappearanceinhigh-profilemeetings,functionsandparties.ButIdon’tunderstandwhyit’sinterestingnews...’‘OhAnna,you’resuchasimpleperson!Veenahasadaughterofmarriageable
age.HernameisPriyanka—butmostpeoplecallherPinki.AmmaislookingforasuitablematchforRaviandshethinksthatPinkiisperfect.SosheistryingtoimpressVeena.’
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Venkateshfellsilent.Hethought,‘WhenitcomestoRavi,Shantaneverthinksofaskingformyopinion.Itisbettertodiscussthesethingstogetherasafamily.Whilelovemarriageisadifferentmatter,muchforethoughtandconversationarenecessaryinarrangedmarriages.Itisbettertoselectthedaughter-in-lawfromastratumlowerthanthegroom’s.Ifthegirlisfromafamilyricherthanours,thenperhapsRavi’slifemayalsoturnouttobelikemine.’Venkateshfeltsadandforafewminutes,hewasworriedabouthisson.But
almostinstantly,heknewthatRavicouldhandlethingsbetterthanhehad.Gaurireadherfather’smind.‘Anna,whatareyouthinkingabout?IsitRavi?
Pleasedon’tworryabouthim.IpromiseyouthatwheneverIgetmarried,it’llbeaccordingtoyourwish.I’mnotsayingthatI’llmarrytheboyyouchoose,butI’lldiscussitwithyouandI’llobtainyourconsent.Raviisdifferent.LetAmmaandRavidecideabouthismarriage.Forgetaboutit,’shesaid.Shechangedthesubject,‘Anna,youreallydon’tseemtobeyourselftoday.
Come,let’sgotoLalbaghforawalk.It’snothealthyforyoutomopearoundathomeanddonothing,especiallyintheevenings.’Eversincehecouldremember,VenkateshhadtakenGauriforwalksin
Lalbagh.Today,shewastheonetakinghim.Withoutgivinghimachancetorefuse,shebroughtthecarkeysanddraggedhimtothegarage.Whilereversingthecar,Venkateshlookedatthefamilyhome.Itwasa
beautifulhousewithabeautifulname—‘Anandita’.Builtonalmosttenthousandsquarefeetofland,thehousehadagardeninthefrontwithalongdrivewaythatwouldallowatleastthreeorfourcarsatatime.Theflooringofthehousewasinmarble.Therewerefourbedroomswithattachedtoilets,teakwooddoors,ultra-modernfacilities,andseparatequartersforthedomestichelp;theGurkhawatchmantookcareofthegarden,andNanjappaandChikkavvahandledthehouseholdchores.Besidesfreeaccommodationandfood,theywerepaidamonthlysalaryofseventhousandrupeeseach.Theywerecontentandwentabouttheirworkhappily,leavingnothingforShantatodo.Venkateshknewthattoanyobserver,theirfamilywouldappearperfect.And
yet,therewasheavinessinhisheart—somethingwasdefinitelyamiss.
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2
ADifferenceofOpinion
AshedrovetoLalbaghwithGaurisittingbyhisside,VenkateshwasdrawnintothepastandhismarriagetoShanta.Hiswifewastheonlychildofherparentsbornaftermany,manyyears.Her
parents,SuryanarayanaRaoandSavitramma,hadmadespecialofferingstoLordManjunathaofDharmasthalaandperformedNagaPujaatVidurashwathabeforehermotherfinallyconceived.SavitrammahadwantedtonameherdaughterNagalakshmi,butRaodecidedtocallherShantaafterhismother.Suryanarayana’semploymentinthegovernmentrevenuedepartmenthad
severalperksthatsurpassedhisregularsalary.Cereals,vegetables,oilsandbutter—everythingwasabundantandfree.Governmentpeonsworkedathishomeandtookcareofthefamily’sneeds.SoShantagrewuplikeaprincesswithherparentsfulfillingallherdemands.HerstudiesprogressedandthefamilywastransferredtobiggertownsandcitiesuntiltheyfinallyendedupinBangalore,whereShantagraduatedwithaBachelorofArtsfromMaharani’sCollege.Intheolddays,mostgovernmentemployeesinBangaloreresidedinareas
likeBasavanagudi,GandhiBazaar,NRColony,Malleshwaram,SriramapuraandRajajinagar.However,SuryanarayanahaddecidedtorentahouseinChamrajpetandbuyasiteinJayanagar,whichwasadevelopingsuburbthatwasstilllargelyaforestedarea.Peopletoldhimthatitwasabsolutefoolishnesstobuyanythingthere,butSuryanarayanadidnotcareandboughtthesiteanyway.Meanwhile,healsobecameamemberoftheBasavanagudiClub.Itwasthere
thathemetJ.M.RaoorJMR—aClass1officerintheIndianRailways.Duringhistenureinpre-PartitionIndia,JMRhadbeentransferredtodifferentplacesinthecountry—alongwiththerelocationscamethefreebiesofbeingaClass1officer:freehousing,multipleservantsandfreerailwaypasses—beforebuyingahomeinBasavanagudiandsettlingdowninBangalore.
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ShrewdSuryanarayanatookaninstantlikingtoJMRandhissmallfamily—anagedmother,awifeandason,Venkatesh,ofmarriageableage.JMR’smotherChampakkawasaloud-mouthedoldwomanwhohadbecomeawidowwhenshewastwenty.Fromthatdayon,shehadlivedsolelyforthesakeofhersonandhehadbecomethecentreofherlife.Atoughlifehadensuredthatshewasnolessthanatigressprotectinghercubs.Unlikeher,JMR’swifeIndirammawassoquietandsubmissivethatpeopleoftennoticedthisandcommenteduponit.EvenJMR,knownforhisstrictnessintheoffice,wasmeekathomeinhismother’spresence.ChampakkahappilyruledtheroostandsavedenoughmoneyfromJMR’sincome.Uponretirement,JMRcontributedmoneyfromhisprovidentfundtobuythefamilytwolargesitesinBasavanagudiinadditiontotheircurrenthomeinthesamearea.Suryanarayanathought,‘VenkateshhasagoodjobattheStateBankofIndia
hereinBangalore.IfShantagetsmarriedtohim,shewillstayinthesamecityandwecanseeherfrequently.Besides,Venkateshisanonlychildandwewon’thavetoworryaboutsharingJMR’sinheritancelater.OldChampakkaisstubborn,Iknow,butsheisalreadypasteighty.Howmuchlongercanshelive?IndirammaisquitedumbandShantacaneasilyhandleher.Yes,Venkateshisagoodmatchformydaughter.’SuryanarayanadevelopedaclosefriendshipwithJMRveryquicklyand
broachedthesubjectofmarriagewithinafewmonths.OldChampakkaimmediatelyapprovedofShantabecauseshetoowastheonlychildofrichparents.Agrandweddingwasheld;nobodycaredtoaskVenkateshorIndirammaforanopinion.SuryanarayanawasrightaboutChampakka.Withinayearofhergrandson’s
marriage,shebreathedherlastinhersleep.Thecaptainoftheshipwasnomore.Afewmonthslater,VenkateshwastransferredtoMysore.That’swhereRavi
wasborn.WhenthefamilyreturnedtoBangaloreayearlater,Indirammasuddenlydiedofaheartattack.Soonafter,JMRhadastrokethatlefthimbedridden,paralysedandunabletospeak.However,Shantadidnothavetoattendtohimformorethanafewmonths.JustasSuryanarayanahadstartedtoworryaboutShanta’sfateincasetheoldmanlivedlonginthatcondition,JMRtoopassedaway.Thus,Shantabecamethesolemistressofthehousewithin
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threeyearsofhermarriageandSuryanarayanabecamethemostseniormemberofthefamily.Venkatesh’smusingscametoahaltasthecarreachedLalbaghandGauri
remarked,‘Anna,seehowcrowdedithasbecomethesedays.’Yes,Lalbaghwasverycrowded.Manypeoplecametoexercisethere.Itwas
nolongermeantjustforyoungloversandoldpeople.Venkateshreplied,‘Isn’titnatural?Iusedtocomealonebefore,andnow,you’rewithme.Thatmakestwoofus.Thepopulationhasdefinitelygrown.’Theroadnearthewestgatewasconvenientforastrollandquiettoo.
VenkateshandGauriwalkedalongthecementfootpathinthecoolandpleasanteveningbreeze.‘Anna,youhavetravelledquitealot.WhatmadeyousettledowninBangalore?’Gauriasked.‘Well,I’vebeentoldthattheletterJinFather’snamestandsforJoshiandthat
wearefromsomevillageintheMysorestate.ButIreallydon’tknowmuchelseandIdon’tthinkthatFatherdideither.Soweadoptedanyplacethatwestayedinandwehappenedtolikethiscity.’‘Butwhydowehavesofewrelativesfromyoursideofthefamily?
EverybodyIknowisfromAmma’sside.Whereareyourcousins,unclesandaunts?’‘Yousee,Grandmastruggledtoraisemyfatherandnoneofherrelatives
helpedorvisitedherduringthattime.Sowhenwebecamewealthy,Grandmadidn’twantustogoseeourcousinsortheirfamilies.’‘Okay,Icanunderstandthat.’Gauripaused.‘Butwhataboutyourmother’s
relatives?’‘Youmustunderstand,child;mymotherwasinnocentandmeek,butshewas
alsoveryintelligent.Often,youremindmeofher.Theonlydifferenceisthatyouspeakyourmind,butshecouldn’t.Thosedayswerelikethat.Intheend,GrandmareignedsupremeinthefamilyandMotherspentallhertimeknitting,embroidering,paintingandindulginginothersuchcreativeactivities.’‘Anna,whydidn’tyoueverarguewithyourGrandma?’Venkateshsaidsadly,‘Forthesamereasonthatyoudon’targuewithyour
mother.It’sbecausesomepeopleareapproachableandsomearenot.MyGrandmaandyourmotherbelongtothelattercategory.It’snousetalkingto
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them;it’slikebreakingourheadsagainstawall.Theirdecisionisfinal—whetherrightorwrong.Wesimplychoosetostayquiettokeepthepeace.’Engrossedinconversation,thefather–daughterduorealizedthattheyhad
alreadycompletedoneroundalongthepond.AvoidingthecrowdedroadinfrontoftheGlassHouse,theyturnedbackonthesamepath.‘Anna,maybethingswouldhavebeendifferenthadAmmastayedathome,’
Gaurisaid,thinkingofherbusymother.‘Perhaps,butthetruthisthatwe’llneverknow.Initially,Shantawasa
homemaker.WhenAmmaandAppapassedaway,IhadtotakeresponsibilityformyfamilyandtheinheritanceIreceived.’‘Grandfathercametoyourhelpthen,didn’the?’‘Yes,hedid.’Venkateshrecalled.‘YourgrandfatherSuryanarayanaisasmart
man.HemademetakealoanfromthebankIworkedinandhelpedustoconstructtwocommercialbuildings—Ganga–Tunga—ontheBasavanagudisite.YourmothersoldourhomeintheareaandweshiftedtoJayanagar.Thoughthelandandthemoneyweremine,yourgrandfatherwasthemastermindbehindtheplan.Headvisedustorentoutboththebuildingstoprivatecompanies.Eveninthosedays,weimmediatelystartedearningaprofitofthreelakhrupeespermonthaftertheloaninstalmentpayments.Withinfifteenyears,theloanwaseasilycleared.Now,asoftwarestart-uphastakenthebuildingsonleaseandwegettwentylakhseverymonth.’Gauriinterrupted,‘Thatisalotofmoney.’‘Yes,butyourgrandfatherdidn’tjuststopthere.Afterthebuildingshadbeen
rentedout,heassisteduswithourinvestmentsinthebeginning,andIwassurprisedtoseeyourAmmataketothebusinessofinvestinglikeaducktowater.Overtheyears,herinvestmentshavereturnedmorethantentimestheoriginalmoneyandshe’sboughtnewproperties.’Venkateshdidn’ttellGaurithatexceptfortheGanga–Tungabuildings,noneofthenewpropertieswereinhisname;theywereinthenamesofRavi,GauriandShanta.‘Ifwehavesomanygoodinvestments,thenwhydoesn’tAmmatakeiteasy?’
askedGauri.‘Whydon’tIgiveupmyjobatthebanktoo?Atfirst,earningmoneywasa
necessity,butnowworkinghasbecomeahabit.It’snotthatyourmotherneeds
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themoney;herworkreallyseemstogiveherimmensesatisfaction.That’swhyshedoeswhatshedoes.’Foryearsnow,ShantahadneveraskedVenkateshabouthissalary.Shedidn’t
care;shehadmuchmoremoneycomingin.ButthetruthwasthatShantahadneverreallyworkedhardinherlife.Herstrengthswerehercommonsenseandhersoundknowledgeofbusiness,bothperhapsinheritedfromherfather.Itwasn’tchild’splaytoamasswealthbyinvestinginthestockmarket.Whilesomebecamerich,otherswerecompletelyruined.‘Anna,whatdoyouthinkofVeenaandPurushottam?Theymaybecomeour
relativessomeday.’‘WhatcanIsay,Gauri?Ibarelyknowthem.FromwhatI’veseen,theirsocial
workisrestrictedtothecity—theydistributefoodtochildrenintheslumsorgivespeechesaboutchildren’swelfarewhileensuringmediacoverageinnewspapersandtelevision.Alltheiractivitiesseempublicity-oriented.I’mnotsureiftheyaregenuinelyconcernedaboutsocialissuesorhelpingpeopleinothercitiesorvillages.’‘Butevensocialworkhasbecomecommercialthesedays,’Gauriremarked.‘Yes,Iknow.Iworrythatagirlfromsuchafamilymaynothaveintegrityor
dedicationtowardsherwork.’‘That’swhatyouthink,Anna.I’mquitesurethatAmmaandRavithink
differently.’Theywalkedinsilenceforafewminutes.Theskywasgettingdarkwhenthey
reachedthecarandstartedontheirwayhome.Venkatesh’sthoughtsreturnedtohistransfer.Hecouldquithisjob.Butwhatwouldhedoathomeanyway?
*
Afewhourslater,thepleasanteveninghadturnedintoawarmnight.Shantaturnedontheairconditioningandthoughtaboutthemeetingattheclubthatevening.ShehadpraisedVeenaverycarefullywhileintroducingher.Veenahadlookedpleasedafterthat.Theirmeetingwassoprofessional;itwaslikeonebusinessmanmeetinganother.Onedaughter.Oneson.ShantaknewthatVeenawasthinkingalongthesamelines,buttheywerebothtooclevertosayanythingdirectly.
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Shantalaydownonthebedandthoughtofherpotentialdaughter-in-law.Wasshebeautiful?WhatwouldVeenaandherhusbandgivetheirdaughterPinkiforthewedding?ShantahadheardthatPinkihadstudiedfashiondesigning—amoderndiscipline.‘Willshebeabletofindajobeasily,orwillshehavetostartsomethingofherown?It’simportantforustoknow.HowwillithelpRavi’sstart-up?’shethought.Shetriedtosleepbutcouldn’t.SheturnedtohersideandsawVenkatesh
sleepingblissfully.Bythistime,sheknewabouthistransfertoHubli.‘It’snousetellinghimanything,’shesaidtoherself.‘HewillhateitifItellhimtoquithisjob,thejobthatbarelypayshim.I’llneverunderstandwhy—isitwrongtowanttoearnmoney?Orishejealousthathiswifeearnsmorethanhedoes?MaybeallIndianmenthinkthatthewifeshouldwork,butherincomeshouldnotexceedherhusband’s.Shemustbeeducated,butlessthanherhusband.Thewifemaybeanequal,butnothigherthanthat.’Disturbed,sleepdriftedfurtherawayfromher.WhenShantahadmarried
Venkatesh,thehouseinBasavanagudiwasalreadyveryold.ThefamilylivedasimplelifeonatightbudgetunderChampakka’swatchfuleye.‘There’ssuchabigdifferencebetweenthosedaysandtoday,’Shantathought.Butaglanceatherhusbandmadeherfeelsad.He’dneverunderstoodheror
helpedwiththebusiness.Whenhisfatherdiedhehadnotleftawill,butVenkateshhadinheritedeverythingsincehewastheonlyheir.Unfortunately,hehadnoideaofhisfather’sfinances.WhentheyopenedthebanklockerafterJMR’sdeath,bothSuryanarayanaandShantawereshocked.Thelockerwasfilledwithgoldwhichhadathinlayeroffungusontopsinceithadbeenlyingunusedforyears.Thegolditselfwasworthlakhsofrupeeseveninthosetimes,andyetthefamilyhadlivedamiserlylife.‘Buteventhen,ourstatusinsocietyandthechangesinourlivesweren’t
achievedovernight;Ihavetoileddayandnighttoachieveallthissingle-handedly,’shethoughtproudly.Foramoment,ShantaenviedPinki,‘EverythingthatIhavestruggledtoearn
willgotomydaughter-in-lawoneday.MydarlingsonRaviwillalsobelongtothatgirl.MaybeIshouldsharemyconcernswithVenkatesh.OrmaybeIshouldn’t.Hewon’tunderstandanyway.’
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Therewasstillnosignofsleepdespitethecoolairconditioning.Soshetriedtothinkofsolutions,‘Ifthegirlisobedient,shecanbecontrolled.Butthat’ssodifficultthesedays.Also,I’msurethatVeena’sdaughterwon’tbesubmissive.Let’sseewhathappenswhenthetimecomes.’Thecuckooclockchimed3a.m.Ravihadgiftedhertheclocklastyearwhen
shewasinSwitzerlandforherbirthday.Herheartfilledwithloveandprideasshethoughtofhimand,finally,shefellasleep.ThenextmorningShantasleptinlaterthanusual.Whenshecameoutfrom
theshower,bothVenkateshandGauriwerereadytoleavefortheday—herhusbandfortheoffice,andherdaughterforcollege.Shantasatdownatthediningtableandsippedhertea.Shewaitedforthemtomentionthetransferasshestaredattheheadlinesinthenewspaper.Venkateshsaid,‘I’llbeleavingforHublithisweek.TheheadofficesaidthatI
shouldbebackinBangaloreaftersixmonths.’Hedidn’taskhertocome.Shedidn’toffertogoeither.‘Wherewillyoustay?’Gauriinterrupted,‘MyfriendSunitaPatil’sparentsliveinHubli.Icontacted
themandthey’vepromisedtomakesomearrangementforsixmonths.’‘Sothat’sit.Fatheranddaughterhavealreadysortedthingsout,’thought
Shanta.Justthen,thehouseholdhelpNanjappacalledout,‘Amma,there’saphone
callfromRaviSir.’Shantaforgotabouteverythingandrantothetelephone.
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3
ANewCity
Afewdayslater,Gauriaccompaniedherfathertotherailwaystationtosaygoodbye.Shantahadalreadybidhimfarewellathome;shehadameetingwiththeauditors.‘Seeyousoon,’shetoldhim.‘Callmelater.Remember—IcanalwaysarrangeforyourtransferbacktoBangalore.’Venkateshwasbookedinafirst-classcompartmentinKitturExpress.Hewas
carryingaduffelbagwithonlythreechangesofclothessincehewasplanningtoreturntoBangalorethatsameweekend.Whentheyreachedthestation,Gauriwashappytoseethatmanyofher
father’sfriendsandco-workershadalsocometosaygoodbye.Theyseemedtohavegenuineaffectionandregardforherfather.Venkateshwasveryfriendlyandhelpfulatwork.Heactivelyparticipatedin
celebrationssuchasGaneshChaturthi,Dussehra,KannadaRajyotsavaandUgadi.Once,aclerkcalledGeetahadbeenonmaternityleave.Whenshecamebacktoworkafterfourmonths,shetearfullyconfidedinhim,‘Sir,Ihavetogoandbewiththebabyafter1p.m.becausethere’snooneathomeafterthattime.’Venkateshtoldherthatshecouldtakeshort-termleavewithoutpay,butGeetawasnotreadytodothatbecauseshehadtomakeloanpayments.SoVenkateshaccommodatedherrequest.Hetoldher,‘YoumayleaveearlyandI’llmanagethecounterinyourabsence.’Duringanotherincident,Maheshwashandlingthecashcounterandfound
thatsomebodyhaderroneouslypaidathousandrupeesinexcess.Everybodywantedtocelebrateandhaveapartywiththemoney,butVenkateshdisagreed,‘No,that’snotright.Let’skeepitaside.We’llreturnitiftheownercomeslookingforit.’Whennobodycametoclaimthemoney,itwasgivenawaytotheofficewatchmanKarimforhiswife’sC-sectionoperation.
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Thus,Venkateshhadbecomequitepopularintheoffice.Mostpeopleweresadtoseehimgo.Thefewcolleagueswhoenviedhimwouldtalkbehindhisbackandsaythatanymancouldbegenerousifhiswifemadesomuchmoney.Buttohisface,they’dpraisehim.Venkateshwasawareofthecriticism,buthealwaysletitgo.Atthestation,MaheshtoldVenkatesh,‘Sir,onceyougotoHubli,people
theremaynotletyoucomebackherequickly.Pleasedon’tstayonthere,Sir.’Venkateshsettleddownatthewindowseatofthecompartmentandreplied,
‘No,Iwon’t.Ican’t.MyGauriisinthefinalyearofherstudies.Idon’tknowwhereshe’llgoafterthat.It’snotdifficulttostayawayfromBangalore,butit’salmostimpossibletostayawayfromher.’HelookedfondlyatGauri.Hertears,suppressedtillnow,flowedfreelydown
hercheeks.Herfatherwashertruefriend.Hehadbeentransferredfrequentlyinthepast,butitwasalwaystonearbyplacessothathecouldcomebackhomeatnight.Thiswasthefirsttimehewasgoingtobeawayforthislong.‘Anna,takecareofyourhealth.Sunita’sfatherwillcometothestationtopick
youup...’ThetrainstartedmovingasGauriwasspeakingtoherfather;everyonewavedgoodbye.AftertheplatformvanishedfromVenkatesh’ssight,helookedaroundhis
compartmentandthought,‘Ishouldbebackinsixmonths.Idon’tthinkI’llusethistrainmorethanhalfadozentimes.’Hehadnoideathathislife’sfoundationwouldbethoroughlyshakeninsix
months.WhenthetrainarrivedinHubliatfiveo’clockthenextmorning,theskywas
stilldark.Thepassengersweregrumbling,‘Thetrainhasarrivedbeforescheduleandnowit’sgoingtobehardtofindanautorickshaw.’Theticketcollectoropenedthedoorandaskedallthepassengersto
disembark.AssoonasVenkateshalightedfromthetrain,hisHublicolleaguescame
forwardwithgarlandsandbouquetstowelcomehim.Theyintroducedthemselvesalmostinunison.‘Sir,I’mChimmanakatti,thecashier.’‘IamKamalakkanavar,theofficeassistant.’‘Sir,I’mRotti,theclerk.’
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Venkateshwastakenaback.Whatstrangenames!Suddenlyheheardahoarsevoice,‘Sir,IamAnantPatil,Sunita’sfather.My
daughtercalledmelastnightandtoldmeyourtraintimings.Pleasecomewithme.’Thenheturnedtotheothersandannounced,‘Yoursahebiscomingtomy
houseinVishweshwarNagar.HewillfreshenupthereandthenI’llbringhimtotheofficeat10a.m.’Quickly,hedispersedthecrowdandaskedVenkateshtofollowhimwitha
waveofhishand.AnantPatilwasafat,charmingandfriendlyman.Onthewaytohishouse,
VenkateshwasfascinatedbyHubli’snarrowandheavilycrowdedlanes.Soon,Anantstartedtalkingabouthisfamily.‘Sir,IworkinthePublicWorksDepartmentofthegovernmentandIamclosetomyretirement.Ihaveason,Naveen,andadaughter,Sunita,whoisGauri’sclassmateinBangaloreMedicalCollege.’Venkateshcouldbarelyunderstandwhathewassaying.ThoughPatilwas
speakingKannada,thenorthKarnatakadialectsoundedquiteunfamiliar.Ashortwhilelater,theyreachedPatil’stwo-bedroomhouseinVishweshwar
Nagar.Theadjoiningsingle-bedroomhomealsobelongedtohim.Therewasagroveinfrontofthehousewithtulsi,champakandcoconuttrees.Patil’swife,Vijayabai,invitedtheminwithasmile,‘Pleasecomeinandhavesometea.’ShelookedatVenkateshandadded,‘Thenyoucantakeashortnap.You’veprobablynotsleptwellinthetrain.’Venkateshwashesitant,‘No,Idon’tneedtosleep.I’lldrinkteaandthengoto
theofficeguesthouse.’‘Oh,pleasedon’tstayintheguesthouse.Thinkofourhomeasyourown.
Sunitatellsussomuchaboutyours.’‘Whathasshetoldyou?’Patilimmediatelysaid,‘Shesaysthatshemeetsyouforlunchalmostevery
weekwhenshevisitsGauri.Sometimes,whenthere’snowaterinthehostel,shegoestoyourhouseforhershowertoo.Gauriisextremelygenerousandbringsheralotofhome-madefoodandsnacks.Sohowcanweletyoustayintheguesthouse?Itwouldn’tberight.’HisoutburstremindedVenkateshoftheroaringJogFallsandhesmiled.
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Patil’swifescoldedherhusband,‘Pleaseloweryourvolume.Mother-in-lawisasleepinthenextroom.’At9.30a.m.theyatebreakfast,andthenPatildroppedVenkateshathisoffice
andtoldhimfirmly,‘Youmustcomehomerightafterofficehours.Here’smyaddress.’TheStateBankofIndiaofficewasinKeshwapurclosetotherailwaystation.
Venkateshlearnttheworkingsofthebankandhadlunchwithsomeofhisofficecolleagues.HetastedDharwadfoodforthefirsttime.HispalatewasaccustomedtoMysorecuisinethankstohismotherIndiramma.Intheafternoon,hewenttotheofficeguesthouse.Hedidn’tlikeitatall.Hethought,‘It’sgoingtobehardtostayhereforsixmonths.Also,theworkintheofficeislessthanhalfofwhatIhadinBangaloreandI’llhaveplentyoffreetime.WhatwillIdo?HowwillIspendthewholedayintheofficehere?’Thatnight,hedinedwiththePatils.Vijayabaihadmaderanjaka,sambar,
stuffedbainganbhajiandchapattis.Sheaskedhim,‘Howdoyoulikethefoodhere?’‘It’sgood.’AnantPatillaughed,‘Youwillsayit’sgoodevenifit’snot.Tellmethetruth,
doyoureallylikeit?’Venkateshrepeatedhisanswer.Patiltoldhim,‘Sir,theone-bedroomhouseadjacenttooursisvacantright
now.Myson,Naveen,andhiswife,Rekha,werestayingthere.Ipreferredthattheylivedseparatelysothattheycouldhavetheirprivacyandstillbeclosetous.Unfortunately,manyfactoriesinHubliareshuttingdown.Despitebeingamechanicalengineer,NaveendidacourseincomputersandnowworksinPune.EventhoughIwishhewerehere,whatcanIdo?He’smyonlyson.Iwanthimtobehappywhereverheis.’Venkatesh,too,feltsadatthethoughtofpeoplebeingforcedtomigrateto
othercitieswiththeclosingdownofindustries.‘Soyouarewelcometostayinourhousenextdoor.It’sindependentandhasa
telephone.Youcanhaveyourmealswithustoo,orwecanarrangetogetyoubreakfastanddinnerfromoutsideifyouprefer.Pleasechoosewhateveryouarecomfortablewith.Wehavenoproblemsatall,’Patilwasdirectandstraightforward.
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‘I’llthinkaboutit,’repliedVenkatesh.Afewdayslater,hebecamePatil’stenant.
*
AmonthwentbyandVenkateshsettledintoaroutine.Patil’shousewasalwayscrowdedwithfriendsandrelatives.Venkateshoften
wonderedhowthecouplemanagedtoentertaineverybody.Itwasatypicalpatriarchalfamilyandthewomenwerebusycookingand
makingjowarrotisthewholeday.Theybarelyemergedfromthekitchen.Therewasplentyofavalakkiorpuffedricekeptintinsforsnack-time.Venkateshcouldn’thelpthinkingaboutShanta.Hadshebeenplacedinsuch
circumstances,shewouldhaverebelled.Hermindwasonthingsbeyondthehome—whichpropertyisforsale,whichoftheequitieswillbemoreprofitable?Eversinceherfirstsuccessfulstintinthestockmarket,shehadnotenteredthekitchen,nordidanyoneexpectherto.Raviwouldoftentellhismother,‘Amma,don’twasteyourtimewithhouseholdchores.Hiresomebodytotakecareofthem.Yourtimeisprecious.’Venkateshwondered,‘DoesanyoneeversaythattoVijayabai?’Soon,Venkateshbecameanintimatememberoftheirfamily.Patilandhe
wouldsitinthecourtyardeveryeveningandchat.OneMondayevening,Patilsaid,‘Raoji,Ihaveayoungerbrother,Dinesh.
Whenwesitandtalk,welosetrackoftime.Thetiredwomenwouldleaveteaandmilkpowderoutforusandgotobed.Wewouldmakeourownteaandcontinuechatting.’‘Whereishenow?’Patiltookadeepbreath,‘He’sinMumbaiandIreallymisshim.Iwasraised
inajointfamily.WearethePatilsofKallapur.ItisavillageclosetoHubliandourhousealwayshadatleasttwentypeoplelivinginitatanytime.Butthat’senoughaboutme.Whataboutyourfamily,Sir?’‘Oursisaverysmallfamily,’Venkateshsaid.‘Iamanonlyson.Myfather
wastransferredfrequentlyandIreallydon’tremembermeetinganyrelatives.Myparentsnevertalkedaboutthemeither.Sometimes,IwishthatIalsohadaffectionatebrotherslikeyou.Wheredoallyourotherrelativesstay?’
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‘Ourrelativesarespreadeverywhere.Thatremindsme—thethreadceremonyofmyAunt’sgrandsonisonSunday,inShiggaon.Iwantyoutoseethecustomsandtraditionsofourregion.Let’sgotogethernextweekend.’‘ButIdon’tknowthem,’saidVenkatesh.‘Raoji,it’sdifferenthere.Youdon’thavetowaitforapersonalinvitation.
Simplycomewithme.JustlikeBangalorehasmanyneighbouringplacesthatareworthvisiting—suchasBelur,HalebiduandMysore—wealsohaveniceplacesaroundHubli.There’sGadag,Koliwada,SavanurandShishunal.Wemustgovisitallofthem.Afterall,youareonlygoingtobehereforsixmonths.’Venkateshnodded.Thatsoundednice.HehadalreadybeentoBangalorethree
times.Everyonewasbusythere.RaviwasbackfromAmericaandthesearchforasuitablegirlwasdulyinprogress.Gauriwaspreoccupiedwithstudyingforherexams.Still,shecalledupherfatheroftenandtoldhimrepeatedly,‘Anna,youmusttakeabreakfromworkandbeherewithmeduringmyexams.IfIgetafewholidaysforpreparatoryleave,IwillalsocometoHubli.’
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4
ACaseofMistakenIdentity
ThesummerhadendedanditwasthemonthofShravana.TherainhadwashedthemuddyroadsofHubliwhenVenkateshsetoutforShiggaonwithAnantPatil.Itwasanhour’sjourneyfromHubli.WhentheyreachedShiggaon,thepondoutsidethevillagewasfilledwithwaterandtherewasgreeneryallaround.ThethreadceremonywasinDeshpandeGalli,thusnamedbecausealltheresidentsinthelanewereDeshpandes.WhenVenkateshsteppedthroughthegatesofthebigancestralhousecalled
wade,henoticedthatthewallswereatleasteighteeninchesthickandmadeofclay.Therewasahugecourtyardinsidethehouse.Theteakwoodpillarsandtheceilingshaddelicatecarvingsinthewood.‘ThisissodifferentfromourJayanagarbungalowbackhome,’hethought.InBangalore,itwasalmostmandatorytohireabighallforsuchcelebrations.
Buthere,theceremonywasinthefamilyhome.Finally,Venkateshspottedtheboyorvatu,whosethreadceremonywastaking
place.Hewaseightyearsold.Hisheadwasshavedexceptforalittlepigtailinthecentreofhishead.AnantPatilsaid,‘Sincetheceremonywasinthefamilyhouse,wedidn’teven
printinvitationcards,Raoji.Wewentfromhometohomeandpersonallyinvitedpeople.Tellme,whatdoyouthinkofmyancestralhome?’‘It’sreallynice,’repliedVenkatesh,lookingaround.HenoticedthatPatil’s
relativeswerestillcomingin.ItseemedlikehekneweveryoneinnorthKarnataka.‘Thereshouldbearoundtwohundredpeopleheretoday,’Patilsaidmodestly.‘Pleasegoaheadandmeetyourfriendsandrelatives.’Venkateshfeltlikean
outsider,despitethewarmthofthepeoplearound.Headded,‘Meanwhile,I’lltakealookaroundandseethemarket.’
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Patillaughed,‘OurwholeShiggaonisjustaboutoneround.Pleaseeatsomechakkalianddrinksometea.Iwillaccompanyyoutoo.’Whiletheyweretalking,bananaleaveshadbeenspreadinalineonthefloor.
Peoplesatdownandwereservedchakkali,avalakkiandbesanladdu.Sensinghisopportunity,Venkateshslippedoutofthehouseandwentintothestreets.Hehadnothadachancetobuyagiftfortheboy.Soheaskedanoldmanontheroad,‘Sir,isthereajewellerystorenearby?’‘Yes,thereis.It’sinthecentreofShiggaonandislocatedneartheold
hospital.Bannabhatta’shouseisalsoclosetoit.TheshopbelongstoKrishnachari.’Venkateshwasconfused.Thelandmarksdidn’tmakeanysensetohimatall.
Hewalkedfurtherandthat’swhenherealizedthatalltheshopswerelocatedononelongstreet—justlikeBrigadeRoadinBangalore.Everythingwasavailableonthisroad.Withinafewminutes,hefoundtheshop.Itwastinyandhadahandwritten
boarddisplayedoutside:‘ShriVishwakarmaNamah,SnehaJewellers,ProprietorKrishnachari’.Heknockedatthedoor.Anelderlymanopeneditandsaid,‘Comein,Master,whyareyoustandingoutside?’‘WhyishecallingmeMaster?’Venkateshwondered.Forasecond,hethought
thatthemanwastalkingtosomeonestandingbehindhim.Butwhenheturnedaround,therewasnobodythere.Themanrepeated,‘Master,pleasecomeinandsitdown.I’llbebackintwo
minutes.’Venkateshenteredtheshop.Therewasanolddeskinacorner,anoldcarpet
onthefloorandaweighingscaleinaglassboxstandingonthecounter.Thewords‘ShubhaLabha’andaswastikamarkweredisplayedonthewallandaframedcross-stitchedpictureofBalakrishnawashangingnexttoit.Thewholeplaceappearedancient,especiallycomparedtoKrishniahChetty’sstylishshoponBangalore’sbusyCommercialStreet.Soon,themancameoutofaroom.Helookedlikehewasaroundseventy
yearsold.Hetookhistimerearranginghisdhotiandglasses.ThenhelookedatVenkateshandsaid,‘Master,haveyoufixedyourdaughter’smarriage?’‘What?Whosedaughter?’askedVenkatesh.
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Themanadjustedhisglassesandpeeredathim,‘YourdaughterMandakini.Idon’tunderstand.Whyareyoulookingatmelikethat?Haven’tyouseenmebefore?’‘Ithinkyouaremistaken.IamnotMasterandmydaughter’snameisnot
Mandakini.’Immediately,Krishnacharicorrectedhimself,‘I’msorry,Sir,Imistookyoufor
ShankarMaster.Ihaven’tseenhimforalongtime.SoIthinkIgotconfused.But...isherelatedtoyou?’‘Idon’thaveanyrelativesinthisarea,’saidVenkateshfirmly.Hechangedthe
subject,‘I’vecometoyourshoptobuyasilverglass.Doyouhaveany?’‘Yes,yes,ofcourse.What’syourbudget?’‘Aroundfivehundredrupees.’‘Allright,letmeshowyouwhatIhave.’Krishnachariopenedanantiquewoodenboxandtookoutthreesilverglasses
wrappedinanoldcloth.Therereallyweren’tmanyoptions.WhileVenkateshwastryingtomakehischoice,Krishnachariobservedhimkeenly.AfterVenkateshhadpickedoneandpaidforit,theshopowneraskedhimagain,‘MayIaskwhereyou’vecomefrom?There’sanuncannyresemblancebetweenMasterandyou.’‘I’mfromBangalore.’Venkateshdidn’twanttoansweranymorequestions
andswiftlyexitedtheshop.Krishnacharikeptlookingathimashewalkedaway.WhenVenkateshreturnedtotheDeshpandemansion,bananaleaveswere
alreadylaidoutforlunch.AnantPatilcaughthimthemomenthesawhim,‘Wherehaveyoubeen?Everyoneiswaitingforyou.Come,let’seatandleave.Itlookslikeit’sabouttorainheavily.’Venkateshnoddedandwenttomeetthevatu.Theboywassweatingprofusely
andwassurroundedbyalotofguests.Venkateshwaitedhisturnandpresentedtheboywiththesilverglass.Afterthat,hejoinedPatilforlunch.Astheywerewalkingoutofthegateaftertheirmeal,someonepatted
Venkateshonthebackandsaid,‘Shankar,let’sgotoKundagolatogetherthisyear.’Venkateshturnedaroundtoseeastrangerinawhitekurtaanddhoti.The
man’slipswereredbecauseofthepaaninhismouth.
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‘I’msorry,Ithinkyouhavethewrongman.IhaveneverbeentoKundagola.’Beforehecouldevencompletehissentence,themanretorted,‘Shankar,don’t
givemeanyexcuses.Don’tcomeifyoudon’twantto—orareyoustillangrywithme?’‘Youdon’tunderstand.IamnotShankar.’AnantPatilalsotriedtocorrecthim,‘Parappa,doyouknowwhoheis?This
gentlemanisthenewmanagerofStateBankofIndiainHubli.He’sstayingwithus.Ithinkyou’vehadtoomuchtobaccothismorningandithasgonetoyourhead.’ThenPatilturnedtoVenkateshandsaid,‘Raoji,pleasedon’tmisunderstand
him.Hemustbeintoxicated.ThismanisveryfondofHindustanimusic,especiallyifit’stheKiranagharana.HevisitsKundagolaeveryyearforthemusicfestival.’ParappawasstillstaringatVenkateshindisbelief.Finally,hesaid,‘Iswear
thathelooksexactlylikeShankarMaster.NowthatIseehimclosely,IfindthatShankarMasterlooksalittleolder.Still,bothofthemaresoalikethattheycouldalmostbetwins.Raoji,pleaseforgiveme.’Venkateshnodded.Distracted,hewalkedtowardsPatil’scarandsoonthey
wereontheirwaybacktoHubli.Venkateshfeltuneasy.HeaskedPatil,‘ThepeopleinShiggaonmistookmeforShankarMasternotonce,buttwice.Whoisthisman?’Patillaughed,‘Whoknows?Mymothersaysthateveryoneinthisworldhas
sixlookalikes.Ibelievethatmineareinothercountries,becauseIhaven’tmetanybodyherewholookslikeme.Maybeyourlookalikeisrighthereinthisdistrict.’DayspassedandVenkateshforgotabouttheincident.Ashortwhilelater,it
wastimefortheannualGaneshfestival.HewassurprisedtonoticethatthecelebrationsinHublisurpassedeventhoseinBangalore.EverystreethadaGanesh.EachGaneshworedifferentclothesfromdiversebackgrounds—therewasaGaneshfromKargil,amilitaryGanesh,acomputer-operatingGaneshandaguitar-playingGanesh.Patilinsisted,‘Raoji,pleasedon’tgotoBangalorefortheGaneshfestival.It
isworthseeingithereinHubli.I’dlovetotakeyoutoIdagunjiandSonda.Youmaynevergetsuchanopportunityagain.’
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Gaurialsothoughtthatitwasagoodideaandencouragedhimtogo.Herexamswerenearandsherarelycalledhimnow.However,Shantaphonedhimandsaid,‘Youshouldcomebacksoon.WehavetochooseagirlforRaviandwecan’tdoituntilyoucomehome.’Venkateshknewthatthatwasnottrue.Hereplied,‘Perhapsthegirlhas
alreadybeenchosen?’‘No,ofcoursenot.Howcanwechooseagirlwithoutyou?Besides,Raviis
busythesedays.He’stravellingtoSingaporenextweek.CanyoupleasebuytwoDharwadsarisandbringthemwheneveryoucometoBangalore?I’dlikeablackorbluesariwitharedborderandalightgreensariwithadarkgreenborder.’ThecolourcombinationsconfusedVenkatesh.Herarelywentshopping,sohe
askedaladycolleagueforguidance.Shetoldhim,‘Sir,youcangotoBabu’sshopinBroadwayortoGangavati’sshopinDajibanpet.You’lldefinitelygetthesecombinationsthere.’VenkateshthankedherandwentstraighttoBabu’sshopinBroadway.A
strangercameuptohimandsaid,‘Master,pleasekeepmybagwithyouforafewminuteswhileyouarehere.I’mgoingtotheshopnextdoorandwillbebackshortly.’Themanleftwithoutwaitingforananswer.Venkateshwaspuzzled.Hehadnevermetthemanbefore.Whoknewwhat
thebagcontained?Maybeitwasabomb,orevenstolengoods.Wassomebodyplayinggameswithhim?Hebecametenseandworried.Unabletocontainhimselfanylonger,heopenedthebagandbrowsedthroughit.Tohissurprise,hefoundgreenchilliesandabarofbutter.Relieved,hekeptthebagasideandcontinuedshopping.Atthecashcounter,hetoldthesalesman,‘PleasegivethisbagtothemanwhocomeslookingforShankarMaster.’Onethingwascertain—therewasa‘ShankarMaster’aroundwhoresembled
him.Onepersonmayhavemadeamistake,butthree?Venkateshwascurious.
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5
TheMeeting
AfewweeksafterthevisittoShiggaon,VijayabaiinsistedontakingVenkateshtothemuttinSonda.TheSondaVadirajaMuttisoneoftheeightmuttsofUdupi.ItistheonlymuttlocatedclosetoHubliandisreveredasthesacredplacewherethegreatsaintVadirajaenteredhistombalive.AnantPatilhappilyagreedtohiswife’srequestandthethreeofthemstarted
forSondaonaSaturday.Thecarridewassimplywonderful.TherewaslushgreeneverywhereandtheystoppedtoseethebakulaflowersandelaichibananasinYellapura,andtheMarikambaTempleinSirsi.Theyreachedtheirdestinationaroundlunchtime.Venkatesh,AnantPatilandVijayabaitookaroominthemutt.Theywashed
andchangedandthenseatedthemselvesinthelargehall,wheretherewasalreadyalongqueueforlunch.PatilandVijayabaimetsomefamilyfriendsandVenkateshfoundhimselfalone.Hewentandsatdown.Therewasanoldwomannexttohimwhoasked,‘Whendidyoucomehere,Shankar?’Venkateshwasn’tsurprisedbythemistakenidentityanymore.Now,hewas
determinedtofindmoreinformationabouthislookalike.Hecalmlyreplied,‘I’mnotShankar,butI’veheardthatIlooklikehim.IfImayask,whoareyou?’‘IamMandaAuntyfromHulgur.Shankar,Iknowthatwearemeetingaftera
longtime.Stopteasingme.’‘Amma,I’mtellingyouthetruth.IamnotShankar.’Shestaredathim,‘Butyoulookjustlikehim.HismotherBhagavvaandIare
goodfriends.’‘Tellmemore.WhatdoesShankardo?’‘HeisaprimaryschoolteacherandworksinShishunal.Hehasthree
daughters—Mandakini,AlakanandaandSarayu.’‘Andwheredoeshelive?’Venkateshaskedpolitely.
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Theoldwomanwashappytotalktohim.Shereplied,‘Well,helivesinDivatechawlneartheGaneshTalkiesmovietheatreinHubli.ShankaralsohasahouseinShishunal.’‘Idon’tunderstand,Amma.Doesheliveinbothplaces?’‘HowdoIexplainthis?’shepaused.‘Shankar’smother,Bhagavva,isoldand
livesinShishunalwithhersonwhileMangalabai—Shankar’swife—livesinHubliwiththechildren.ThesecondandthirddaughtersareincollegewhiletheoldestdaughterMandakinistaysathomeandtakestuitionsatpeople’shouses.’Theoldwomantookalongbreathandcontinued,‘ThatmakesShankarthe
onlyearningmemberofthefamily.Theyhavenolandandbarelyanymoney.He’shadatoughlife.HisdaughterMandakiniwasborninmulanakshatra.Herhoroscopeadvisesthatsheshouldbeweddedintoahousewithoutafather-in-law.Unfortunately,Shankarisfindingitdifficulttofindasuitablematchsincehecan’taffordtopaydowryeither.That’swhyIthoughtthatShankarhadcomeheretoprayforMandakini.’Justthen,AnantandVijayabaicamebackandjoinedthemforlunch,which
wasservedafewminuteslater.Venkateshpondered,‘ShankarhasahomeinHubli.Icaneasilygoandmeethim.ShouldItakePatilwithme?No,itwouldn’tberight.IthinkI’llgoalone.’
*
Afewdayslater,VenkateshmadehiswaytoDivatechawlinHubli.Helocatedthechawleasily;itwashometoatleastadozenfamilies.Themudwallswerediscolouredanditwasobviousthattheyhadn’tbeenwhitewashedforyears.Venkateshfounditdifficulttoenterthechawlbecausethelanewasverynarrow.Soheparkedhiscarandwalkedinside.Ontheway,hepassedawatertapandfourpublictoilets.‘MaybeIshouldn’thavecome,’Venkateshthought.‘ButnowthatI’mhere,
I’llfinishwhatIhavebegun.First,IhavetofindShankar’shome.’Luckilyforhim,hewalkedafewstepsfurtherandsawadoorwithsomething
scribbledonit.Hewentcloserandsawwhatwaswritten:‘ShankarMaster,PrimarySchoolTeacher’.Thiswasit.Venkateshknockedfirmly.‘Whoisit?’askedawoman’svoice.
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‘IsMasterathome?’‘No,he’sout.Whoareyou?’sheasked.‘I’mVenkatesh.’‘Well,I’mhere.Thedoorisnotlocked.Pleaseopenitandcomein.Youcan
sitdownandwait.Mastershouldbebacksoon.’‘Perhapsthat’sMangalabai,’Venkateshthought.Hepushedthedooropenand
walkedthroughasmallverandaleadingtoamainhall.Venkateshsatdownandlookedaround.Theonlyotherroomwasakitchen.Therewereunmistakablesignsofpovertyeverywhere—minimalcheapfurnitureandfadedphotographsofchildrenweredisplayedinbrokenphoto-frames.HiseyeswanderedtoShankarMaster’sweddingpicture;hisownphotoatthatagewasidentical.Suddenly,thedooropened.Anattractiveandfair-skinnedgirlwalkedin,
‘Whendidyoucome,Appa?Whyareyousittinghereallalone?’shesmiledandstoodinfrontofhim.ShewasaroundGauri’sage,butfairer.ShealmostlookedlikeGauriwhenshe
smiled.Ittookherafewsecondstorealizehermistake.Venkateshspokeimmediately,‘I’mnotyourfather.MynameisVenkateshandIamamanagerinStateBankofIndia.’‘SorrySir,youlookedexactlylikemyfatherforamoment.’‘What’syourname?’heaskedhergently.‘Mandakini,’shesaidandkeptstanding.‘Soshe’stheoneShankarisworriedabout,’Venkateshthought.‘Sir,whomdoyouwanttomeet?’Mandakiniaskedhim.‘Yousee,ifyou’ve
cometofindoutabouttuitions,thenI’mtheonetotalktobutifyou’vecometomeetmyfather,you’llhavetowaitabit.’‘Iwanttotalktoyou.Howmuchhaveyoustudied,child?’‘IhavepassedmyBachelorofSciencewithafirstclass.Thesedays,Igoto
people’shousesandteachchildren.’‘Haveyouappliedforanyjobs?’‘Yes,Ihaveappliedforbothprivateandgovernmentjobs.Rightnow,Iam
awaitingtheresults.Unfortunately,fresherrecruitmenthasdecreasednow,hasn’tit,Sir?’thegirlasked.‘Manda,whoareyouspeakingto?’avoicecamefromthekitchen.
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Beforeshecouldrespond,themaindooropenedandShankarMastercamein.HesawVenkateshandstoppedinhistracks—shockedatseeinganexactreplicaofhimself.Venkateshwasfascinatedtoo.Hestoodup.Theyhadthesamecolourofskinandthesamenose,eyesandface.Eventheirmotherswould’vegotconfused.ButShankarMasterlookedatadolder,possiblyweigheddownbyworries.‘IamVenkateshRao.’Shankarcomposedhimself,‘WhatcanIdoforyou,Sir?’‘Nothing,really.ManypeopleintheareathoughtthatIwasyou.SoIcameto
seeyouonawhim.’‘Pleasebeseated,Sir.’Shankarpaused.‘I’msorry,thisisapoorman’shouse.’Venkateshsatdownquietly.‘Manda,bringtwocupsoftea.’‘Pleasedon’tbother.I’vecomehereonlytomeetyou.Isn’toursituationvery
rare?Didyourparentshavesiblingsorcousinsthattheylosttouchwith?Maybethatwillexplainwhywelooksimilar.’Shankaralsosatdownandwipedhissweatyforehead.Hesaid,‘Sir,my
father’snameisSetuRaoandmymother’snameisBhagavva.Ihaveneverseenmyfather.Infact,Idon’tevenhaveapictureofhim.HediedwhenIwasstillinmymother’swomb.ButIknowthatbothmyparentsdidn’thaveanysiblings.Iamtheironlychild.Whataboutyou,Sir?’‘I’manonlychildtoo,’saidVenkatesh.‘Myfather’snameisMadhavRaoand
mymother’snameisIndiramma.We’venevervisitedthispartofKarnatakaandwedon’thaveanyrelativeshereeither.’Bothmenfellsilent.‘Well,thattheorydoesn’texplainthemysterythen.Iamreallycuriousabout
ourresemblance.Tellme,haveyoueverbeentoMysore?’askedVenkatesh.‘No,Sir,never.OurfamilyissettledaroundtheRon,NavalgundandNargund
areas.Ihaven’tcrossedtheDharwaddistrictbordersevenduringmyservice.I’vebeenworkinginShishunalfortenyearsnowandamtiredofaskingforatransfertoHubli,DharwadorGadag.’Mandakiniinterruptedtheirconversationasshebroughtteafortheminsteel
tumblers.‘ThisisSudama’shospitality—apoormanwelcomingarichman,’Shankarsaid.‘Pleasedrinksometea.Wearehappythatyoucametoourhouse.’
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‘MayImeetyourmothertoo?’‘She’sinShishunal.IworktherefromMondaytoSaturdayafternoonandthen
IvisitmyfamilyinHublitillMondaymorning.YoucanvisitmymotherinShishunal,orIcanbringherheresometime.’Venkateshdidn’twanttoinconvenienceShankar’smother.Hesaid,‘Well,I’m
planningtoseeSharif’sholytombinShishunal.It’sbetterthatIgoandvisityourmotherduringmytripthere.’Shankarnodded.‘Whereareyourparents?’heasked.‘Myparentsandgrandmotherpassedawaywithinthreeyearsofeachother.
Thatwasyearsago.’‘I’msorrytohearthat,Sir.’Headded,‘Theotherday,afriendcamehomeand
askedmeforabagthathe’dgiventome.Ididn’tknowwhathewastalkingabout.Didhegivethebagtoyou?’‘Yes,someonedid.Infact,threeorfourotherpeoplealsomadethesame
mistake.’VenkateshsawMangalabaipeepingintotheroomandoverhearingtheirconversation.Sheseemedamazedattheresemblancetoo.‘OK,ShankarMaster.I’lltakeyourleavenow.Goodbye,Manda,allthebest
toyou.’VenkateshwavedouttoMandakiniandShankarasheexitedtheirhome.He
washappythathehadmetthem;theyweresuchasimplefamily.Ashewalkedoutofthechawl,hesawpeoplewatchinghim.Quickly,hewalkedtohiscaranddroveaway.
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6
Revelation
Afewweekslater,thePatilswerebusyorganizingabigmoonlitdinnerintheirhouse.Therainyseasonhadgivenwaytoclearskiesandtheupcomingfullmoondaywasgoingtobequietandbeautiful.‘Raoji,thedinnerwillbeonourterracetoday,’AnantPatiltoldVenkatesh,as
theysatdowntosomeeveningsnacks.‘Youarenotgoingtoorderhomedeliveryorgotoanyone’shousefordinner.It’sgoingtobeaspecialnight.’‘Why?What’sspecialabouttonight?’‘SunitahasafriendnamedSarala.She’sconductingamusicprogrammeat
ourhouse.I’msurethatyou’lllikeit.We’veonlyinvitedafewclosefriends.’Vijayabaicalledouttoherhusband,‘Lookhere,allthedinnerentréesand
dessertsmustbewhiteincolourtonight;themenuincludescurdrice,whitepudding,kheer,sweetwhitechiroti,riceupma,cabbagesabjiand...’Bynow,VenkateshwasabletounderstandherHublidialectperfectly.Hehad
pickedupthelocalKannadaandlearntthemeaningsofseveralcolloquialtermsusedinHubli.‘Enough,enough,’Patilyelledback.‘Don’tdyeyourhairwhitetomatchthe
foodtoo!’Venkateshlaughed.Sometimes,heenviedAnantPatil’slife;itwasfullofjoy
andenthusiasm.Bothhusbandandwifeenjoyedeachother’scompanyandtroubledeachotherliketeenagers.Itwasn’tthattheydidn’thaveproblems—theirsonwasawayforworkinamediocrejob,theyhadabedriddenoldmothertotakecareofandtheyhadtofindagroomforSunita.SincethePatilsdidn’thaveanyinheritedorancestralproperty,theyhadtakenabigloantoconstructthehousetheywerenowlivingin.ButPatilwasn’tanxiousaboutit.Hewouldreassurehiswife,‘Vijaya,don’tworryaboutit.Wewillrepayitsomehow.’Inspiteofalltheirtroubles,theyhadastraightforwardapproachtolife.
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ButthingswereverydifferentinVenkatesh’sfamily.Itwasalwaysaboutearningmoreandmoremoney.Shantawouldoftentakeloansandthencomplaintoherdaughter,‘Gauri,I’vetakenabankloantobuythatnewestateinCoorg.Ican’trelaxtillit’srepaid.’‘Amma,whydidyoutaketheloanifitwasgoingtostressyouout?’‘Itookitbecauseyourfathercangetbankloanswithaminimalinterestrate.
It’sbusiness,Gauri.’Theirfamilyhadeverything,buttherewasnointimacybetweenthefourof
them.Theylived,workedandwentouttogether—itwasmechanical.Duringeverysocialevent,Shantawouldwhine,‘Oh,Idon’twanttogo.Ireallydon’tlikethefoodtheyeatorthewaytheydress,butwehaveto.Otherwise,ourhostswillthinkthatwearerude.’ButwhenShantametthehostsattheevent,shewouldsmilebrightlyandsay,‘Heartiestcongratulationsonyournewhome.Youhavebuiltapalace!Andofcourse,you’relookingstunningtoday!’Alltheirrelationshipsweresocial,shallowandartificial.Soon,Patil’sguestsstartedarrivingandthehostsbecamebusywelcoming
them.ThenightwascoolandVenkateshshivered.HismindturnedtoShankar,
‘Howcanwelooksosimilar?Patilsaysthattherearesevenlookalikesallovertheworld.Soisitacoincidence?Wearen’ttwins,forsure.Iwasbornat10a.m.intheRailwayHospitalinHyderabad.Whenwasheborn?IthinkIshouldtalktoShankar’smother,Bhagavva.Maybeshecanthrowsomelightonit.’SaralaBapatmadeanentranceandtheprogrammebeganimmediately.She
startedsingingandallconversationintheroomstopped.PatilsatdownnexttoVenkateshandwhispered,‘Ifyoucloseyoureyesand
throwastonearoundhere,itwillhiteitherapoetoramusician.AllgoodHindustanimusiciansarefromhere—BhimsenJoshi,GangubaiHangal,MallikarjunMansur,BasavarajRajguruandmanyothers.’VenkateshdidnotknowmuchaboutmusicbutheknewthatwhatPatilwas
tellingwasthetruth.ShantahadlearntCarnaticmusicbeforemarriage,buthadsoongivenitupwithoutasecondthought.Gauriwasonlyinterestedinrockmusic.Aminutelater,SaralawassingingShishunalaSharif’ssongs.‘HowdoIcross
theplantaingrove,sister,how?HowshallIbringwater?’shecooed.‘Howcan
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wecrosstheriveroflifewithoutaboat?’Venkateshwasimpressed.Sharifdealtwithmeaningfulthemesinsuchsimple
language;itwashisforte.
*
Thenextday,VenkateshwenttoofficeandaskedacolleaguefordirectionstoShishunal.ThatFriday,VenkateshdecidedtodriveoutalonetoseeShankarandhismother.SincehewasgoingtomeetBhagavvaforthefirsttime,heboughtsomefruitsforher.TheroadsweredustyandhiscarwascompletelycoveredwithgrimebythetimehereachedShishunalanhourandahalflater.Thevillagewasnexttoalargelakeandhadfertilelandwithdarksoil.Thefarmersgrewsunflowers,jowarandtoordal.VenkateshfoundthatdespiteSharif’shugesuccess,Shishunalremaineda
quietandsleepyvillage.Heparkedthecarinfrontoftheprimaryschoolinthecentreofthevillage.Hearingthesound,amancameoutandaskedhim,‘Master,whatareyoudoinghere?Ithoughtthatyouhadtakenthedayoff.’‘IamnotMaster.’Themanpeeredathim,‘Areyouarelative?’‘Yes,’liedVenkatesh.Hewantedtoavoidmorequestions.‘Soyou’vecometoseethehill,Saheb?’themanasked.‘Whathill?’‘TheholytombofSharif.Peoplecomefromeverywherejusttoseeit.’‘Yes,Iwanttovisitthetomb.Butfirst,canyoudirectmetoShankarMaster’s
house?’InasmallvillagelikeShishunal,everybodykneweverybody’sbusiness.VenkateshwashopefulthatthismanwouldhelphimfindShankar’shouse.‘Lookthere,’themanpointedtoabanyantree.‘Hishouseisrightnexttoit.
You’reinluck;he’sathometoday.’Venkateshsmiledandthankedhim.HewalkedovertoShankar’shouseandknockedatthedoor.Therewasno
response.Whenheknockedagain,avoicefrominsidesaid,‘Masterwillnottaketuitionstoday.’Venkateshknockedoncemore.Thesamevoicerepliedwithoutopeningthe
door,‘Weareperformingsomeritualsathomerightnow.Pleasecomebackintheevening.’
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‘IamVenkatesh.I’vecomefromHubli,’hesaidloudly.‘WhichVenkatesh—SalimaniVenkateshorDeshpandeVenkya?’‘No,I...’hisvoicetrailedoff.Hethought,‘WhatshouldIsay?ThatI’mthe
VenkateshwhoresemblesShankar?’Outloud,hesaid,‘I’mfromStateBankofIndiainHubli...’‘Avva,whomareyoutalkingto?’VenkateshheardShankar’sfaintvoice.‘It’ssomepersoncalledVenkateshfromabankinHubli.’‘Askhimtocomeinside.’‘Onthisoccasion?’shesoundedsurprised.‘Please,Avva,lethimin.’Finally,thedooropenedandVenkateshcameface-to-facewithanold
Brahminwidow.Sheappearedstrongeventhoughshewasverythin.Shewaswearingatornwhitesariwiththepalluoverherclean-shavenhead.‘ThismustbeShankar’smother,’Venkateshthought.Helookedatherwith
mixedfeelings;therewassurpriseandanxiety.‘Pleasecomeinandsit,’shesaid,andpointedtoabrokenchair.‘Wewerenot
openingthedoorbecauseweareperformingshraddhatoday.’‘Bhagavva,where’stheholygrass?’interruptedthepriestperformingthe
rituals.Theoldwomanexcusedherselfandwentinside.Venkateshsatdown.Hethought,‘HadIknownitwasShankar’sfather’s
deathanniversary,Iwouldn’thavecometoday.ButhowcouldIhaveknown?PoorShankar,he’sbeenperformingthisritualalmostsincehewasborn.Itisimproperforanoutsiderlikemetobepresentonsuchanoccasion.’Hesaidloudly,‘Master,pleasegoaheadwiththeshraddha.Meanwhile,I’llvisittheHolyHillandcomebackhere.’‘Sir,Ican’tgooutwithyoutoday,butyou’vecomeallthewayfromHubli
andwe’dlikeyoutoeatlunchwithus;it’stheprasadofourforefathers.Youmaygovisitthetomb,butpleasecomebacksoon,’Shankartoldhim.Venkateshnoddedandsetoutforhisdestination,stillthinkingaboutthe
shraddha.Heknewhowitwasdone.Hisfather’sshraddhafellonthetwelfthdayafterDussehra,beforethefestivalofDiwali.Onthatday,thefamilywassupposedtoeatat6a.m.andfastthereafter.However,Shantaneverperformedsuchritualsathome.Instead,shegavefivethousandrupeestotheBanashankariMutttoperformthem.Onthedayoftheshraddha,Shantawouldgotothemutt,
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bowdownbeforethepindaorthericeballrepresentingthedeadperson’ssoul.Thenshe’deattwobitesreluctantlyandcomebackhome,whereasVenkateshwouldgoaloneat4a.m.andperformtheritualwithsincerity.Afterthat,Shantawouldn’trememberherfather-in-lawuntilthenextyear.Venkateshrememberedhisfather,MadhavRao.Hehadn’tlivedlongafterhis
son’smarriage.HehadlovedShantalikehisown,especiallybecausehedidn’thavedaughters.MadhavRaowasagentlemanwhoobeyedhismotherwhileshewasaliveandthenobeyedhisdaughter-in-lawuntilthedayhedied.Itwassuchalongtimeago.Afterhisparalyticattack,hisfatherhadtriedtosaysomethingtohim,butVenkateshhadn’tbeenabletounderstandhim.Itwasthefirsttimehehadseenhisfatherbecomeangryandfrustrated.Soon,VenkateshreachedtheHolyHill.Theplacesymbolizedharmony
betweentwocommunitiesandhaddevoteeseverywhere,irrespectiveofreligion.PeoplefirmlybelievedinSharif.Thetombwaslocatedundertheshadeofaneemtree.Venkateshofferedahundredrupeesatthedargahandwasblessedwithabroomstickofpeacockfeathersbythemaulvi.Amanstandingnearhimremarked,‘YoulooklikeMaster,butyoucan’tbe
him.’‘You’reright.Howdidyouknow?’‘BecausethepoorMastercan’taffordtoofferahundredrupees.Areyou
relatedtohim?’‘Yes.’‘Youarenotfromaroundhere.Haveyoucometovisithim?’VenkateshhadneverexperiencedthisinBangalore.Thepeopleherekept
askingquestionsanddraggedtheotherpersonintoaconversationevenifheorshewasastranger.Venkateshdidnotanswerthemanandsimplywalkedaway.WhenhecamebacktoShankar’shouse,anotheracharyahadjoinedin.
Mantrasofshraddhawerebeingchantedloudly.Venkateshsatoutsideintheverandalisteningtothem.Heknewthesequenceofthemantras.WhenhisfatherwastransferredtoVaranasi,hisgrandmotherhadforcedVenkateshtojoinaSanskritschoolintheevenings.Slowly,hehaddevelopedaloveforthelanguageandcontinuedtoperformpujaathomeeventoday.Gauriteasedhimoften,‘Anna,whydon’tyoutakevoluntaryretirementand
startperformingpujasforeveryone?Youknowthatyou’llloveit.’
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Raviwouldalsosmileandagree,‘Yes,thesedaysacharyasfromIndiaaremuchmoreindemandthansoftwareengineers.Theymakealotmoremoneytoo.’ButShantawouldn’thavelikedtobethewifeofanacharya.Venkatesh
almostsmiledatthethought.Suddenly,hisattentionwentbacktothechanting,‘Myfather,grandfatherand
great-grandfatherareSetuRao,ShrinivasRaoandVirupakshaRao.MygotraisShandilya.Forthesakeofpleasingthegods,I,ShankarRao,performthisshraddhaeveryyear.Maytheforefatherscomeintheformofacow,ShivaandthesunandaccepttheprasadIoffer.’Theacharyastartedcoughing.Hehadtorepeatthewholemantraagainand
Shankarrepeateditafterhim.‘What’sthis?’Venkateshwondered.‘Ialsosaytheexactsamemantra!Only
twonamesaredifferent—myfather’snameandmyname.Iknowforcertainthatmyfatherdidnothaveanybrothers.Itcan’tbeacoincidencethatthenamesofourpaternalgrandfather,great-grandfatherandourgotraarethesame!Buthisfather’snameisSetuwhilemyfather’snameisMadhav.ShankarandImustberelatedsomehow.’Likeaflashoflightning,itallbecamesuddenlycleartohim.Themantrashad
exposedthetruthaboutShankarandVenkatesh.Somuchresemblancebetweenthem!HisfatherandShankar’sfathermustbethesameperson.Theywerebrothers—theyhadtobe!Itwastheonlyexplanation.Foramoment,Venkateshwashappyatsolvingthemysteryandfindinga
brother.Thentheshocksetin.Heimmediatelygraspedwhatthismeant.HismotherIndiramma’sinnocentfaceflashedbeforehimandtearswelledupinhiseyes.Hesatstillforalong,longtime.Aftertheshraddha,ShankarMastercametotheverandaandsawhim,‘Have
youbeenwaitinghereforalongtime,Sir?Pleasecomeinsideandjoinusforlunch.’‘SoShankardoesnotknowanythingaboutthis.Ishouldn’tjumpto
conclusions.Itwouldbeimpropertosayanythingrightnow.ImustverifyeverythingthoroughlybeforeIsayanythingtoanyone,’thoughtVenkatesh.Hestoodupandwentinsidethehouse.Bananaleaveswerespreadoutonthe
floor,servingtheirpurposeastemporaryplatesforlunch.Themenufeatured
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thickrice,ravaladduanduradvada,amongotherentrées.Bhagavvawassittinginacorner,wearingawhitesarithathadbeenmended
toomanytimes.ShelookedatVenkateshandsaid,‘Sir,wearepoor,buttoday’sritualdemandsthesepreparations.Ihopeyoulikethem.’Venkateshfeltawkwardwhenshecalledhim‘Sir’.Hewantedtoaskher
manyquestions,butdidn’tknowwheretobegin.SohelookedatShankarinsteadandaskedhim,‘Howmanyyearshaveyou
beenperformingshraddha?’‘SincemythreadceremonywhenIwaseightyearsold,Sir.It’sbeenforty-
sevenyearsnow,’saidShankar,betweenmouthfulsoffood.Venkatesh’smindracedtomakesenseofthisinformation,‘Fatherdied
twenty-fiveyearsago.Thatmeansfather’sshraddhawasbeingperformedevenwhenhewasalive!’HeaskedShankar,‘Whatareyourchildren’snames,Master?’‘Mymother’snameisBhagirathi,whichisanameoftheGanga.SoInamed
mydaughtersafterriversrelatedtotheGanga—Mandakini,AlakanandaandSarayu.Mandaisdesperatelysearchingforajobthesedays.NowevenengineershavetobewillingtoworkinbiggercitieslikePuneandMumbai.Buthowcanwesendheralone?’Bhagavvainterruptedhim,‘I’vetoldShankartogethermarried.’‘Iknowit,Avva,butwherewillIfindasuitablegroom?Mandawasbornin
mulanakshatra,Sir.Idon’treallybelieveinnakshatrasandhoroscopes,butalotofotherpeopledo.Infact,accordingtomyhoroscope,myfathershouldhavebeenaveryprosperousman,buthediedbeforeIwasborn.SohowcanIbelieveinallthesethings?Similarly,Manda’smulanakshatraissupposedtobeinauspiciousforthefather.ButI’mabsolutelyfine.Nothingbadhashappenedtome.’‘Isn’titpossibletofindaboywhosefatherhasdiedalready?’asked
Venkatesh.‘Ofcourseitis,butIalsohavetothinkaboutthedowry.Mydaughteris
preparedtomarryalesseducatedboy.Buteventheyaskforatleasttwentythousandrupees.’‘Whataboutyourotherdaughters?’
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‘Myseconddaughter,Alakananda,isveryintelligent.Sheobtainedatoprankandeasilygotadmissionintothebestengineeringcollegesofthestate.However,Icouldn’taffordthefeesandIenrolledherintoadiplomacourse.Shefeelsbad,butshedoesn’tsayanything.’‘WhataboutSarayu?’‘Sarayuisinthetenthclass.She’sintelligenttooandwantstobecomea
doctor.Herteachersexpecthertodoverywell.’‘Willyouallowhertoenterthemedicalfield?’‘Sir,suchthingsarepossibleonlyforpeoplelikeyou.Wecan’taffordit.But
Mandatoldmethatshehasdecidednottogetmarried.ShewillearnmoneybytakingtuitionsandthenshecanhelpSarayubecomeadoctor.’Bynow,lunchwasalmostover.Venkateshhadbarelytouchedhisfood.He
thoughtsadly,‘Thethreegirlsaregood,butthankstotheirfather’spoverty,theycanneitherbeeducatedwellnorcantheybemarried.’HewantedtotalktoBhagavva.Hethought,‘HowdoImanagetotalktoher
withoutShankararound?’Therewasasuddenknockatthedoor.Itwastheschoolpeon.Hehadcome
fromtheschooltotellShankarthathewasneededthereimmediatelybecausetheheadmasterwasindisposed.Shankargotreadytoleave—theholysandalpastefromtheceremonywasstillsmearedonhisforehead.Venkateshbreathedasighofrelief.He’dbeabletotalktoBhagavvaafterall.Shankarapologized,‘Sir,I’msorrytoleaveyoulikethis.Buttheheadmaster
willgetupsetifIdon’tgo.Pleaserelaxandhavesometea.I’llbebacksoon.’‘Don’tworry,Shankar.Pleasetakecareofyourresponsibilities.I’llwaitfor
yourighthere.’ShankarleftandVenkateshwenttothenextroominsearchofBhagavva.
Therewasafaintsmellofcowdungintheair.Arayofsunshineenteredtheroomthroughaholeintheroof.HiseyesfelluponBhagavvawhowaslyingonamat;butshewasnotsleeping.Shesatupwhenshesawhimandofferedhimamattositon.Hesatdownandstaredather,asifhewaslookingatherfortheveryfirst
time.‘Shemusthavebeenbeautifulinheryouth.Butnowshelooksburdenedwithpoverty,widowhoodandatoughlife,’hethought.Heaskedher,‘Amma,
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hadmymotherlived,shewouldhavebeenofyouragetoday.WhatdoesShankarcallyou?’‘HecallsmeAvva,’shesaidsoftly.‘ThenIwillalsocallyouAvva.Ihaveaquestion.IsShankarrelatedtome?
Whydowelooksosimilar?’Venkateshaskedherdirectly.‘Idon’tknow.Whenyoubothsatdowntoeatlunch,IfeltlikeIwaslooking
atShankar’sbrother,ifhehadone.’‘Tellmemore,Avva.HowdidShankar’sfatherdie?Maybethatwillexplain
themystery.AsfarasIknow,myfatherdidn’thaveanyrelativesinthisarea.Onlyyoucanhelpmewiththestory.Please,tellmewhathappened.’‘Whatdoyouwanttoknow?’Bhagavvaaskedhimgently.‘Shankarismy
onlychild.HewasbornwhenIwassixteenyearsoldandhisfatherdiedbeforehecouldevenseehim.Norelativesfromhisfather’ssidestayedintouchorhelpedus.Icamehereanddecidedtomakethisplaceourhome.TherewasnothingelsethatIcouldhavedone.’‘Hasn’tanyonefromyourhusband’sfamilycometovisityou?Whydidn’t
youtrytogoandmeetthem?’Shesighed,‘It’salongstory.Fifty-fiveyearshavepassed.IthinkI’vealmost
forgottenwhathappened.Ihaven’ttoldShankaraboutiteither.What’stheuse?Itwouldn’thavechangedanything.’‘Butyoumusttellme,Avva.Maybeit’llbringmepeace.Thinkofmeasyour
son.’Bhagavva’seyesseemedtofocusonsomethingfaraway.Heheardtheclock
tickingsilentlyasshegotlostinthememoriesofthedayspast.Slowly,shestartednarratingherstory.
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7
ANewLife
ShurpaliwasasmallvillageinKarnatakathathadatempleofNarasimhaandhiswifeLaxmionthebanksoftheriverKrishna.Thousandsofpeopleattendedtheannualfairheldhere.Bhagirathiwasborninanothervillagenearby.Herparentsdrownedinaflood
whenshewasatoddlerandhermaternaluncleGopalKulkarniofferedtotakeresponsibilityoftheorphanedgirl.HewasthevillagepostmaninShurpali.Gopal’swife,Kaveramma,scoldedherfrequently,‘Yourparentshavegivenyouanaptname—Bhagirathi.Youkeepplayingintheriverallday!’Gopalhadason,Hanuma,whowasfiveyearsolderthanBhagirathiand
studiedinJamakhandi,anearbytown.Meanwhile,Bhagirathistudieduptothefourthgrade.Shewasnotallowedtostudyfurtherbecausetherewasnomiddleorhighschoolinthevillage.Shedidn’tasktostudymoreeither—highereducationforgirlswasunheardofinthosedaysandshehadtohelpathome.Astheyearspassed,Bhagirathigrewuptobeaverybeautifulyoungwoman.
Shewasfairandattractiveandhadlong,blackhair.Manywomenwerejealousofher.Kaverammadidnotsendheroutaloneoftenbecauseshewasafraidthatsomeonemighttrytotakeadvantageofher.Bhagirathi’sonlycompanionathomewasHanumawhowasnowstudyinginhighschool.Heruncleandauntstartedsearchingforasuitablegroomforher.PeopleaskedGopalandKaveramma,‘Whyareyousearchingforagroom?
Yoursoncanmarryher.That’llbeperfect.’‘No,HanumaandBhagirathihavebeenraisedlikebrotherandsister.Itwill
notbeagoodmatch,’saidKaveramma.Hanuma,BhagirathiandGopalalsoagreedwithher.ThetruthwasthatKaverammahadcompletelydifferentreasonsforrejecting
thematch.ShebelievedthattherewasnouseofmarryinghersontoBhagirathi
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becausethatwayHanumawouldnotgetanydowryatall.Butifhemarriedsomeoneelse,hewouldgetdowryandmaybeotherpossessionstoo.SheknewthatBhagirathiwouldsomehowmanagetogetagroom.Eventually,Kaveramma’spredictioncametrue.Inthosedays,peoplewhocametoShurpalifortheannualfairstayedwith
theirrelativesbecausetherewerenohotelsinthearea.Thatyear,ChampakkaandhersonSetuRaocametoliveinGopal’sneighbour’shouseforafewdays.TheneighbourBhimaRaohadknownChampakka’sfamilyfromhisdaysinMumbai.Champakkawasalsofromthisarea,butherhusbandhadworkedinMumbai
formanyyearsand,eventually,hehadpassedawaytheretoo.Afterthat,ChampakkadecidedtocontinuestayinginMumbai.ShesupportedherselfandhersonSetubyworkingasacookinamuttinMatunga.Setuwasnowtwenty-twoyearsoldandhewasstudyinginMumbai.ThemomentChampakkalaideyesonthebeautifulBhagirathi,shewantedher
sontomarryher.Kaverammathought,‘ThisisthebestpossiblematchforBhagirathi,
especiallysincethere’snodemandfordowry.Moreover,thisfamilyhasnocloserelativesorafather-in-lawwhowilltroubleherorpasssarcasticcomments.’Gopalagreedwithhertoo.Boththepartiesapprovedtheallianceandthenegotiationsbegan.Afterafew
days,theweddingdatewassetforsixmonthslater.Duringthistime,SetuneversaidanythingtoBhagirathi,nordidsheexpect
himto.Heneverwroteheranyletterseither.Everyday,shesatonthebanksoftheriverKrishnaanddreamtaboutherfutureandtheunfamiliarlifeinMumbai.Meanwhile,Hanuma’sexamswerenearsohesatbyhersideandstudiedwhileshedaydreamed.Sixmonthspassedintheblinkofaneyeandthemarriageceremonytook
placeintheauspiciouspresenceofGodNarasimha.Sinceboththefamilieswerepoor,onlyafewpeoplewereinvitedtothewedding.Aftertheceremony,SetustayedinGopal’shouseforfifteendayswhile
Champakkawenttovisitherrelativesinothertownsandvillagesnearby.BhagirathidiscoveredthatSetuwasyoung,intelligentandveryhandsome.She
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likedhim.Andinturn,helovedheryouth,beautyandvivacity.Thetwoweekspassedbyinaflash.ItwastheendofBhagirathi’smaritalbliss.
*
TearsstartedflowingdownBhagavva’scheeks.Venkateshstaredather,dumbstruck.Timestoodstillatamemorythatwasmorethanfifty-fiveyearsold.
*
Attheendofthatfortnight,Champakkalaiddownonecondition—herson’seducationmustbecompletedthatyearasscheduled.HisstudieswouldbedisturbedifBhagirathicametoMumbaiwithhimnow;shemuststayback.AfterSetu’sfinalexams,hewouldfindajob.Bhagirathishouldjoinhimonlyafterthat.GopalandKaverammaagreedtoherconditionbutnobodyaskedthenewly-wedsfortheiropinion.Thenextmonth,Bhagirathimissedherperiods.Soonafter,thevomitingand
thenauseastarted.Itwasconfirmed;shewaspregnant.ThenewswassenttoMumbai.Therewasnoreplyforafewweeks,butthenonedayGopalreceivedaletterathome.Champakkaexpressedherjoybutsheaddedthatthiscouldhavewaitedtillhersonwasemployed.WhenBhagirathiwasinthesixthmonthofherpregnancy,Champakkacame
tothevillagetoconducttheseemantham,atraditionalbabyshower.Thiswasusuallyperformedinthein-laws’house.Butsinceitwasn’tpossibletoaccommodateguestsinChampakka’sone-roomhouseinMumbai,sheandherstepsisterParimalacametoGopal’shouseforoneweek.Twodaysaftertheyhadarrived,Parimalawenttofetchwaterandoverheard
somewomengossiping.Oneofthewomensaid,‘BhagirathiisalwayssittingwithHanumaonthebanksoftheriver.Kaverammashouldkeepaneyeonher.’‘Whoknowswhat’sreallygoingon?’addedanotherwomanwhowas
extremelyjealousofBhagirathiandherhandsomehusband.‘CleverGopalhasmarriedBhagirathitoaboywhostaysfarawayfromhere.’
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‘Thegirlissolucky.ShewassointimatewithHanumaandyet,she’smanagedtofindanotherniceboy,’thefirstwomancommented.‘ThesepeoplefromMumbaimusthavefallenforBhagirathi’sgoodlooks.
Theydidn’tevenbothertofindoutmoredetailsabouther.Didyouknowthatshepretendedtogetpregnantrightafterhermarriage?EventhemidwifeHakinabisaysthatshe’ssevenmonthspregnantnow.Ithinkthatshemustalreadyhavebeenonemonthalongatthetimeofhermarriage.’Parimalacouldnotrestrainherselfafterlisteningtothis.Shewentandmet
Hakinabiimmediately.Parimalaaskedher,‘Ihaveheardsomanygoodthingsaboutyourexpertise.Tellme,howisthehealthofourdearBhagirathi?Whendoyouthinkshe’lldeliver?’Withoutbattinganeyelid,Hakinabianswered,‘Bhagirathiisdoingverywell.
Herfoetusisbig—itmaybesixorsevenmonthsold.BythegraceofAllah,she’llgivebirthtoaboy.I’lltakecareofherwithallmyheart.ThenyoumustgivemeagoodIlkalsari.’‘Ofcourse,whynot?’ParimalawasnowsurethatBhagirathiwassevenmonthspregnantandwith
someoneelse’schild.Shethoughtthatsheshouldwaittilltheseemanthamwasover,andthenshewouldtellhersisteraboutherfindingontheirwaybacktoMumbai.Theseemanthamwentoffasplanned.ChampakkagiftedBhagirathiapairof
heroldgoldearrings,agreenblouseandsomefruits.SheblessedBhagirathiandsaid,‘Iprayforasafedelivery.Iwillcomebackforyourson’snamingceremony.’
*
‘Thenshesaidgoodbye,’whisperedBhagavvaasshewipedhertears.‘Wenevermetafterthat.’‘It’salmostlikeamovie,’Venkateshthought.Hewaitedforhertocontinue.
*
Asplanned,ParimalaaccompaniedChampakkaonherreturnjourneyandsaid,‘Sister,you’resoinnocent.Youdidn’tfindoutaboutBhagirathi’scharacter
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beforegettingyoursonmarriedtoher.Thegirl’scousin—thatboyHanuma—isveryintimatewithher.YouhadalreadyaskedthecoupletowaituntilSetucompletedhiseducationandfoundajob.Haveyoueverthoughtabouthowshebecamepregnantdespiteyourinstruction?Lookatherbelly—it’ssobigandsosoon!ThemidwifeHakinabiandtheotherwomeninthevillagecan’tstoptalkingaboutit.’Atfirst,Champakkadidn’tquitebelieveher,butParimalakeptpoisoningher
mind.ChampakkawasalreadyunhappybecauseshewassensingthatSetuwasdistancinghimselffromherafterhismarriage.Suddenly,thisbecameagoodexplanationforthedrift.Bytheendofthejourney,ParimalahadcompletelyconvincedChampakkathatBhagirathiwasalreadypregnantwhenshemarriedherson.Athome,Champakkatriedtotellherson‘thetruth’,‘Lookhere,Bala,
something’sdefinitelyfishy.Think,whydidn’tanybodyinthevillagemarryherdespiteherbeauty?Unfortunately,you’vebecometheunsuspectingvictimofhercharm.Promisemethatyouwillleaveher.’‘ButAvva...’‘Don’t.Justdon’tsayaword.Iknowhowtheworldworks.She’safallen
womanandshe’lldeliverintheeighthmonth.Thinkaboutit;you’llbecomeafatherwithineightmonthsofmarriage.Evenyouwerebornafterthetenthmonth.I’myourmotherandIwantthebestforyou.Ican’tstaywithaloosewomanlikeher.Youcanstayifyouwantto.Parimalamusthavealreadyspreadthewordamongourrelatives.Ishouldn’thavetakenherwithme.’NomatterwhatSetusaidordid,Champakkadidnotchangehermind.Shesat
downandwrotealettertoBhagirathi’suncle.Afterafewweeks,Gopalreceivedthelife-changingletter.Itwasaboltfrom
theblue.Champakkasimplywrote,‘Wedon’twantyourniece.Youcankeepher.ThebabyisHanuma’sandnotmyson’s.Wewillnottakeherback.’Hanumawasfurious,‘Howcanshesaysuchthings?Iamwillingtoswearon
anyone—Bhagiislikemysister.Asitis,Iwasworriedabouthowshewouldlivewiththatdevilishmother-in-law.WhatisSetudoingtocorrectthis?Can’theconvincehismotherthatshe’swrong?’YoungandpregnantBhagirathicollapsedingrief.Atlast,shetoldHanuma
throughhertears,‘PleasegotoMumbaiandmeetmymother-in-lawand
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husband.Fallattheirfeetandbegthemformercy.TellthemBhagirathiisaspureasSita.There’snoagniparikshainthisKalyug,otherwiseIwould’vejumpedintothefireandprovedmychastity.Tellmyhusbandthathe’stheonlymanI’veeverbeenwith.Iwanttogomyself,butIcan’ttravelinthisconditionandUnclewon’tbeabletotraveltoMumbaialonebecausehedoesn’tknowthelocallanguageorEnglish.’Hanumaputareassuringhandonhershoulderandsaid,‘Don’tworry;I’llgo
toMumbaiandbringyourhusbandback.’HehadneverbeentoMumbaibefore,buthisfriendChintamaniKalehad
gonethereafewyearsagotovisithisaunt.HanumatoldChintamaniaboutthesituationandthetwoofthemtravelledtogethertoMumbai.WhenyoungHanumagotoffthetraininMumbaiearlyinthemorning,he
wasconfuseduponseeingthebigcity;itwasmuchlargerthanJamakhandiandBijapur.Inaddition,hedidn’tknowHindiorMarathi.Troubled,heturnedtoChintamani,‘Here’stheaddress,buthowwillIfindmybrother-in-lawinsuchalargecity?Maybeweshouldgoback.’ThenHanumarememberedBhagi’stearfulface.Hesaid,‘No,Ican’tgoback
yet.ImustfindSetufirst.’IttookafewhoursforthetwoboystolocatethechawlinMatunga.When
theyreachedChampakka’shouse,theyfounditlocked.InMarathi,aneighbouraskedthemwhomtheywerelookingfor.‘SetuRaoorhismother,Champakka,’saidChintamani.‘SetuhasajobinterviewinPune.Sobothmotherandsonhavegonethereby
trainjustthismorning.’‘Whenaretheyback?’Theneighbourshrugged,‘Idon’tknow.Maybethreeorfourdays.Whoare
you?Whydon’tyouleaveamessageforthem?’Hanumashookhishead.Themessagehewascarryinghadtobe
communicatedinperson.Disappointed,theboyswenttoChintamani’saunt’shouse.Whentheywererestingintheafternoon,therewasbreakingnewsontheradio
fromtheDadarrailwaystation.TheDeccanQueen,whichhadleftMumbaithatmorning,hadmetwithanaccidentintheghatsonitswaytoPune.Several
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bogieshadturnedupsidedown.Thelistenerswereadvisedtocontacttherailwaypoliceformoredetails.HanumaandChintamanirushedtotherailwaystation.Thereweresomany
peoplethere—somewereinshockwhileotherswereconfusedandweepy.Hanumawasdumbstruckandsatdownonthefloor.Chintamanirantomake
inquiriesandcamebackwithasadfacejustminuteslater.HetoldHanumathatSetuandChampakka’snameswereonthelistofthedeceased.Hanumastartedcryingbitterly,‘WhatamIgoingtotellBhagi?’Chintamanisaid,‘Don’tgiveup,Hanuma.Therailwaystaffistakingthe
passengers’relativestothesceneoftheaccident.Let’sgothereandconfirmtheiridentitybeforewethinkfurther.’Whentheyreachedthespot,theysawthatthebogieshadrolleddownright
intothevalley.Bodypartswerescatteredeverywhere.Itwasaghastlysight.Therewasnowayanyonecouldidentifyallthedeadbodies.Intheend,therailwaydepartmentinformedeveryonethattheyweregoingtoconductacommoncremationbeforetheunclaimedbodiesstartedstinking.Disheartened,thetwoboysreturnedtoJamakhandithesamenight,alongwithanewspaperthatcontainedthenamesofthosewhohaddiedintheaccident.Meanwhile,Bhagirathiwaswaitingathome,desperatelybelievingthat
HanumawouldsomehowconvinceSetu.ShehadnoteatenproperlysincetheletterhadcomefromMumbai.Sometimes,shewouldgetangrywiththeunbornbabyandthink,‘Isn’titbecauseofthisbabythatpeoplearetalkingillofme?MaybeIshouldstarvemyselfsothatitwilldieinsidemywomb.ButwhatdoIdo?It’sapartofmeandapartofSetutoo.Thebabyismyreasontolive.HadInotbeenpregnant,IwouldhavedrownedmyselfintheriverKrishnadaysago.’WhenHanumareturnedfromMumbai,Bhagirathiwaswaitingforhimall
dressedinredlikeamarriedwoman.Whensheheardthatshehadbecomeawidow,shecouldn’ttakeitanymoreandfelltothefloorinafaintbeforeanyonecouldcatchher.Ashortwhilelater,shewentintolabour.Instantly,Hakinabiwascalledfor.ShewassurprisedtofindthatBhagirathihadalotoffluidinthewomb,whichexplainedthebigstomach.Aftereighteenhours,Bhagirathigavebirthtoatinyprematurebabyboy.Andthat’showShankarwasborn.Noonerejoicedorcelebratedhisbirth—he
wasanunwantedchild.
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8
UncoveringthePast
Intheolddays,theBrahminsinShurpaliwereveryorthodox,andBhagirathi—ateenagemotherandawidow—wasboundbycustomsandtraditions.Itwasmandatoryforhertoshaveherheadtobeconsideredpurified,thusclearingherhusband’spathtoheaven.Herlong,shiningblackhairwascutandherheadshaved.Bhagirathiwasbarelyawareofwhatwashappeningtoher.Forafewweeks,shelivedherlifeadayatatime.Unfortunately,Chintamanispreadthenewsintheentirevillagethat
Bhagirathi’shusbandhaddesertedher.Itwasamatterofgreatdisgracenotonlyforher,butalsoforHanumaandhisparents.Thefamilycouldnotstepoutoftheirhousewithoutsomebodypassingcommentsorturninguptheirnoseatthem.Kaverammawouldopenlycurseherandtalkabouthertoeverybodywho
camehome,‘Thisgirlhasbeenanendlessburdenandacursetoourfamily.Shekilledherparentsassoonasshewasborn,andthenshekilledherhusbandassoonasshewasmarried.’Bhagirathiwasjustbeginningtoacceptthecruelhandthatfatehaddealther,
butthencamethemonthofShravana—thefestivetimeoftheyear.Itwasamonthofgreatjoyformarriedwomen,whowouldwearnewclothesandjewellery,worshipManglaGauriandprayfortheirhusbands’longlife.ItwasanillomentoseeawidowonsuchanoccasionandtheentirevillageshunnedBhagirathi.Everybodyavoidedherliketheplague.Onenight,aftershehadrockedhersontosleep,shelookedoutofthe
window.Atadistance,shecouldseethevillagerscelebratingwiththeirfriendsandfamilies.Shethoughtaboutherfuture,‘Ihadmydreamstoo,justlikeeverygirl.Butdestinyhasshatteredthem.There’snothingthatlifecanoffermenow.Whocaresaboutmychildorme?Nobody.Whyshouldwelive?Idon’thavethe
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strengthtofacethisharshworlddayafterday.Yes,it’sbettertoputanendtosuchalife.’Laterthatnight,afterthefestivitieswereoverandeveryonehadgonehome,
sheheldhersoncloseandwalkedtotheriver.Itwasthenightofthenewmoon.Theskywasdarkandhersurroundingsweredeathlyquiet.TheriverKrishnawasfull.Shesmiled.Itwasperfect.Herlifeflashedbeforehereyes.Setuhadcomeintoherlifelikearayofsunshine,buthehadleftheraloneindarknessandanunendingoceanofmisery.Suddenly,Bhagirathiwasnotafraid.Shehadnodesiretolive,sotherewas
nothingtofear.Withthebabyclingingtoherbosom,shewalkedintotheicywaters.Sheprayedtotheriver,‘Iamanunfortunateorphan.Krishna,youaremymotherandI’mcomingtobewithyouforever.Youknowthetruthaboutme—Iampure.Takemeintoyourarmsandridmybabyandmeofthisdisgracefullife.’Shesteppedfurtherintothewateruntilitcameuptoherwaist.Justthen,baby
Shankarstartedcrying.Outofnowhere,afisherman,Chouda,camerunningtowardsthenoise.Hewasastrongmanandhiseyeswereredfromdrinkingtoomuch.Ashereachedtheshore,hegraspedthesituationatonce.Withoutamoment’sdelay,hejumpedintotheriveranddraggedBhagirathioutofthewater.Hescoldedher,‘FindawaytolivewithMotherKrishna’shelp.Don’tbeafool.Whydoyouwanttodieandgoagainstallthatshestandsfor?’Bhagirathilookedathersaviourandwept.Choudaconsoledherashewalkedhertohishut,‘Bebrave,sister,joysand
sorrowsareapartoflife.Look,evenSatyaHarishchandrasufferedinhislife.Youhaveabeautifulson;liveforhissake.It’syourdutytoraisehimtobeagoodman.Godwillbewithyoueverystepoftheway.’Bhagirathidecidednottostayinthevillagewhereherlifeandthatofher
son’swouldbeworsethanadog’s.Thebestwaywastoleavethevillageforeverandmakeafreshstartsomewhereelse.
*
Thenextmorning,GopalKulkarnifoundBhagirathiandherbabymissing.Theysearchedforhereverywherebutshewasnowheretobefound.Afterafewdays,thevillagerscametotheconclusionthatshehadcommittedsuicide.
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GopalandHanumawereextremelyupsetandcouldn’tbeartoliveinthesamehouseanymore.TheycursedSetuforruiningBhagirathi’slife.Gopalaskedforatransferandthewholefamilylefttoliveinanothervillagefaraway.Meanwhile,BhagirathifoundherwaytodistantDharwad.Tomakebothends
meet,shestartedworkinginpeople’shousesasacookingmaid,earningmeagrewages.TimepassedandShankargrewupinpovertyandwithoutafathertoprotect
him.Bhagirathiregisteredtheboy’snameinschoolasShankarSetuRaoJoshi.ShekepthertragichistoryasecretfromhersonbecauseshewantedShankartorespectandlovehisdeadfather.SinceSetuwasthoughttobedead,shedutifullyperformedhisshraddhaonhisdeathanniversaryeveryyear.Attimes,Shankaraskedhermanyquestionsabouthisfatherandwherehewasfrom.SinceBhagirathiherselfdidn’tknowforsure,shecouldn’tanswerhisquestionsandusuallystayedsilentordistractedhimbyaskinghimsomethingelse.Sothemotherandthesonstruggledtomanagebythemselves,andinthe
process,learnttobeindependent.Bhagirathiworkedhard;shebathednewborns,tookcareoftheirmothersandcookedforpeople.Intime,herhandsbecameroughandshetoughenedup.Alongtimeago,shehadbeenabeautifulgirl.Butnotanymore.AsShankargrewintoayoungman,hefeltsadtoseehismothertoilingin
others’homes.Afterhisschool-leavingexams,hedecidedtodiscontinuehisstudies.Asluckwouldhaveit,hefoundajobasaprimaryschoolteacher.Still,Bhagirathicontinuedtoworktohelpherson.Shankarwaslatertransferredtodifferentplacesinhisjoband,induecourse
oftime,marriedanicegirlandhadchildrenofhisown.
*
‘That’showIraisedShankar,’saidoldBhagavva.Venkateshsatthere,listeninginhorror.Hestaredather.Itseemed
unbelievablethatshehadbeensubjectedtosomuchinjustice,butshewaslivingproofthatthiswasnotastory.Itwasherreality.Hecouldn’timaginetheagonythatlayinsideherheart.Still,hewonderedoutloud,‘Areyoucertainthatyourhusbanddiedintheaccident?’
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‘Son,noIndianwomanwouldeversaythatherhusbandhaddiedifhehadn’t.Thenewsofhisdeathappearedinthepaperstoo.Ihavepreservedtheextract.Waithere,I’llshowyou.’Bhagavvastoodupandwentintothenextroom.Shebroughtbackanoldtorn
pieceofcloth,whichsheunwrapped,andthenuncoveredanewspapercutting.Thepaperwasyellowanddiscolouredwithage;herhusband’snamehadbeenunderlined.Sheshowedhimasmallenvelopeandtookoutastamp-sizedphotographofherhusband.Therewasnodoubt—itwashisfather.ButVenkateshdidn’tunderstand;why
didpeoplecallhimSetuhere?‘Thesearetheonlyphysicalremnantsofmypast.Whenweweremarried,
therewerenophotographstocapturethemoment.Itwasexpensivetodothatinthosedaysandbothourfamilieswerepoor.Butwhenmyhusbandlefttogotocollege,hegavemethispicture.Sometimes,whenIcan’trecollecthisface,Itakeitoutandlookatit.MyShankarlookedexactlylikehimatthatage.’Venkateshhardlyheardher.Hewasstillponderingoverwhyhisfatherwas
knownbyadifferentname.HeaskedBhagavva,‘Whatwasyourhusband’sname?’‘Setu—that’swhateverybodycalledhim.Ialsousedthatnameduringour
marriagerituals.’Venkateshnoticedthatshedidn’tblamethemanwhohadleftherpregnant
andalone.Heprobedfurther,‘WhatdidChampakkacallhersonathome?’Venkateshstillhopedtodiscoverthatmaybethismanwasnothisfatherafter
all.‘Bala,’shesaidsimply.Yes,itwashim.Venkateshhadnodoubtanymore.TearswereflowingdownBhagavva’scheeks.Knowinghisfather,Venkateshwassurethathemusthavekeptsomesouvenir
ofhisoldlife.Heasked,‘Avva,whatdidyourfamilygiveSetuduringthewedding?’‘Wewerereallypoorbackthen.IthinkUncleGopalgavehimonehundred
rupeesasdowryandaring.’‘Whatkindofring?’‘Agoldringwiththeletter“bha”writteninSanskrit.’
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‘Whathappenedtothepropertyandyourhusband’sotherbelongingsaftertherailwayaccident?’askedVenkatesh.‘Whoknows?Myhusbandhaddesertedme.Whywouldmyfamilygoto
Mumbaitoinquirefurther?MaybeParimalatookawayeverything.Weweretooupsettothinkaboutit.’Shepaused.Thenshefoldedherthinbonyhands,‘Son,Iswearinthenameof
GodShiva,Ihaveneverdisclosedthistaletoanyonebefore.Youweresoconcerned...maybeitwastimeformetotellsomeone.Shankarknowsthathewasbornafterhisfather’sdeath,buthedoesn’tknowanythingelse.Heshouldneverfindoutthathisfatherhadhumiliatedandleftme.Please,promisemethatyou’llnevertellanyoneaboutthis.’Venkateshlookedatherhands.Thesewerenoordinaryhands;theyhadtoiled
foralifetimetoraiseason.Thesehandsbelongedtothemotherwhohadquietlyboweddownandacceptedtheinjusticesheapeduponherbymenandfate.NowshewasrequestinghimtokeepthemasecretsothatShankardidn’tthinklessofhisfather.Howcouldhetellanyone?Venkateshcameforward,tookBhagavva’shandsintohisandtouchedherfeet.Hecouldfeelthetearsinhiseyes.Silently,heapologizedtoherwithoutsayingthewordsoutloud,‘Pleaseforgivemyfather,ifpossible.’WhenShankarreturnedfromschool,Venkateshwasreadytoleaveanddidn’t
waitforteatime.HedrovebacktoHubliwithaheavyheart,‘WillBhagavvaeverforgivemyfatheronceshelearnsthetruth?’hewondered.‘ShouldIeventellthemwhatactuallyhappened?Rightnow,BhagavvaandShankarareleastbotheredaboutwhywelookalike.Theyhavemoreimportantthingsontheirminds.’WhenVenkateshreachedHubli,hefoundthatthePatilswerebusypreparing
foratriptoGokarna,MurdeshwarandKarwar.TheytriedtopersuadeVenkateshtoaccompanythem,butherefused,‘IhavetomakeanurgenttriptoBangalore.Iwillbebackinafewdays.’‘Why,Sir,youaretalkingasifitisamatteroflifeanddeath.’‘Yes,itis,’thoughtVenkatesh.‘Itissomeone’slifeanddeath.Ihavetoset
thingsrightbeforeit’stoolate.’
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9
SeekingtheTruth
BackinBangalore,ShantaandRaviweretoobusytonoticethatVenkateshwaspreoccupied.ShantawasbusyacquiringacardamomplantationnearCoorgandwithherplansforthenewsoftwarecompany.WhatpercentageofthesharesshouldbegiventoGauriandRavi?ShouldGaurigetfewersharesbecauseshewouldgoawayaftershegotmarried?Shantawastroubledbysuchthoughts.Meanwhile,Raviwasalsoengagedwithhisnewcompanyandtheunfortunatedownturnofthesharemarket.Butthemostimportantitemontheirlistwastheearnestsearchforsuitable
girls.Earlier,RavihadwantedtomarryacomputerengineeroranMBA,butafter
returningfromAmerica,hetoldhismotheroverdinner,‘Amma,I’verealizedthatlifeisonlyaboutbusiness.Thinkaboutit—parentsraisetheirchildrensothattheywilllookafterthemwhentheygetold.That’semotionalbusiness.Marriageislikethattoo.MypartnerandIshouldknowwhattoexpectfromeachother,orelseitwillbeadiscordantmatchlikethatofAppaandyou.’Shantasmiledinagreement,‘Yes,Ravi.I’mgladthatyouhavegiventhis
someconsideration.Whatareyoulookingforinagirl?’‘Mywifemusthavegoodsocialcontactsandherparentsshouldbeaffluent
andwell-knownpublicly.’ThenhethoughtofGauriandadded,‘Idon’twantagirlwhoisidealistic.Intoday’sworld,it’llbehardtolivewithagirllikethat.’‘Look,wealreadyhaveadozenproposalsinhand.Myfatherhassentthe
detailsofsomeIASofficers’daughterstoo.Ihaveshortlistedthreegirls—Pinki,RamyaandDivya.Talktoeachofthemindividuallyoveramealorcoffeeinafive-starhotelandmakeyourdecision.However,don’tgiveanyofthemacommitmentyet,okay?’‘Ofcourse,Amma,’saidRavi.
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ShantawasinclinedtowardsPinki,butshedidn’ttellhersonthat.‘It’snottherighttime,’shethought.‘Letmegethisfeedbackfirst,butIhopehelikesPinkitoo.Herfamilyisverywellconnected.HerfatherisclosetothechiefministerandwilldefinitelybecomeapartnerinRavi’scompany.Thenwecaneasilygetcapitalandensurepublicity.HerunclealsohasasoftwarecompanyinNewYork,andwithhisdirection,Ravi’sbusinesscantakeoffquickly.’Whilethemotherandsonwerebusyplanningtheirnextcourseofaction,
VenkateshwasinthebedroomthinkingaboutBhagavva.Almostallthecharactersinherstoryweredead—hisfatherMadhavRao,grandmotherChampakka,uncleGopalKulkarniandhiswifeKaveramma.Hakinabiwasprobablydeadtoo.ThoughVenkateshknewthatthemaninboththecaseswashisfather,hecouldn’tunderstandthemysteryofSetuandMadhav.Hefellintoatroubledsleep.Thatnight,somethingwokehimupat1a.m.andhesatboltupright.He
recalledthatChampakkahadoncetoldhimthatParimalaandhisfatherwereofthesameage,butthatshebarelymetParimalabecauseshepersistentlyaskedformoney.ThefirstandthelasttimethatVenkateshhadmetParimalawasduringhisthreadceremonyinTirupathiwhenhewaseightyearsold.‘Maybeshe’sstillalive!’Hewasexcitedatthethought.Hestoodupandwenttothekitchentodrinksomewater.Hewondered,
‘ShouldItryandmeetParimala?Willshetellmethetruth?’Onthewaybacktohisbedroom,Venkateshpeepedintohisdaughter’sroom
andfoundherstudyingatthedesk.Gaurisawhimandasked,‘Anna,whyareyouawake?Ican’tsleepbecauseI
haveexams.You’resoluckythatyoudon’thavetostudy.’Shegrinned.Whenhedidn’tsmileback,sheprobed,‘Whathappened?Whydoyoulookso
worried?’Whenhedidn’trespond,sheasked,‘AreyouworriedaboutRavi’swedding?
Pleasedon’t.RaviandAmmathinkthatmarriageisawayofenhancingtheirstatusinsocietytobringinmorebusinessandmoney.Letthemdowhattheywant,Anna.Don’tevenbother.’Venkateshnoddedandwentbacktohisroom.Gauriwasleftspeculatingwhat
seriousproblemwaseatingherfather,butsheknewthathewouldtellhersoonerorlater.
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Thenextday,afterGaurireturnedfromcollege,herfatheraskedher,‘Whendoyourexamsstart?’‘Theyarefifteendaysaway.’Hepaused,‘IthoughtI’dwaituntilyourexamsareoverbeforetalkingtoyou,
butIcan’twaitanymore,Gauri.’‘Whatisit,Anna?Come,let’ssitdownandtalk.Youknowyoucantellme
anything.’Venkateshtoldhisdaughtereverything—fromthedayhehadvisitedthe
jeweller’sshopinShiggaontothedayBhagavvahadfoldedherhandsinfrontofhim.Gaurisawtheshockandconfusioninherfather’seyes.Unconsciously,sheheldhishand.Hecontinued,‘Child,Ican’tstopthinkingaboutmyfather.Hewasapuppetinthehandsofhisstubbornmother.Shehadstruggledhardtoraisehim,butshemonopolizedhislifeandhisfeelings.PoorBhagavva!Champakkaruinedherlifeandherson’slifetoo.Gauri,you’regoingtobeadoctor.Tellmethis—howcanareallybigpregnantwomandeliveraftereightmonthsofmarriage?Wouldyousaythatshebecamepregnantbeforeherwedding?’Gaurisighed,‘No,Anna,Iwouldn’tjumptothatconclusion.Apregnant
woman’sstomachmaybebigforavarietyofreasonssuchastoomuchwaterandasmallbaby,oralargebaby,atumour,orsomethingelse.Now,wecanscanandexplaineverything.Bhagavvacouldhavedeliveredearlybecauseoftheshocktoo.’‘Weren’tsheandhersonsubjectedtoagreatinjustice?’‘Ofcoursetheywere.Thishasbeengoingonsincetheancienttimes.It’s
alwaysagoatthatisvictimizedandnotatiger.Awomanisusuallymeekandhumbleandthat’swhyBhagavvasufferedthewayshedid.DoyouknowthatifaretardedbabywasborninEurope,peoplewouldsaythatthewomanhaddeliveredSatan?They’dthrowstonesatherandeventuallykillher.Ifafairchildwereborntodarkparents,peoplesuspectedthemotherofinfidelity.Evennow,therearepeoplewhoburntheirwivesanddaughters-in-lawaliveforbearingafemalechild.Thoughitistheman’schromosomesthatdecidethebaby’sgender,it’sthewomanwho’spunished.’Venkateshwassad,‘Myfatherhadoncetoldmethathewassupposedto
travelbyacertaintrain,buthemissedit.Thattrainmetwithanaccidentlaterandheconsideredhislifeafterthattobearebirthandasecondchanceforhim.
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ButBhagavvashavedherheadandlivedlikeawidowfromtheageofsixteenuntilnow.’Gauriwascurious,‘ButAnna,howdidtheirnamescomeinthenewspaper?’‘Itwasamistakeduetoallthechaos.GrandmaChampakkaandmyfather
weren’tevenonthetrainandtherailwayofficegotitwrong.ThenFathergotthroughtherailwaydepartmentexamsandhistransferswereindistantplaceslikeDelhiandJammu.Itmusthavebeenagoodreasonforbothmotherandsontogetawayfromthiswholeepisode.Later,GrandmagotFathermarriedtomygentlemotherfromdistantGundlupet,avillagenearOoty.Mymothermusthavehadahorribletimewithherferociousmother-in-law.Andyet,shewasluckierthanBhagavva.’‘Iagree,Anna,’Gaurisaid.‘I’msurethatmymotherdidn’tknowanythingaboutherhusband’sfirst
marriage.Ithinkthat’swhyGrandmaChampakkadidn’tallowustogetclosetoanyrelatives.Weallremainedunawareofmyfather’spast.’‘Leaveit,Anna.Whathappenedisinthepastnow.Tellme,howcanIhelp
you?Whatdoyouwanttodo?’‘I’vethoughtaboutit.Iwanttogotomyfather’slockerintheStateBankof
Indiatomorrow,butyourmotherkeepsallthelockerkeysandIcan’tjustaskher.Ihaven’topenedthelockerinyearsandshe’llaskmeahundredquestions.’AfterMadhavRao’sdeath,thelockerwasheldinVenkatesh’sandGauri’s
namesjointlysinceitcontainedVenkatesh’sparents’jewelleryandgold.Shantahadlockersinotherbanks,anddidn’treallycareforthecontentsofthislocker.Gaurireplied,‘Relax,Anna.Iunderstand.ThisisnotthetimetotellAmmaaboutBhagavva.I’llgetthekeyfromher.’BothmotheranddaughteroftendiscussedGauri’slackoffascinationfor
jewellery.Shepreferredtoweartwothingoldbanglesandsmallstudearrings.Shantawouldscoldher,‘Youmustwearmoregold.Whatwillpeoplethinkaboutus?’Gaurididn’targuewithhermother,nordidshegetangry.Whensheaskedforthelockerkeyfromhermotherthenextevening,Shanta
wasveryhappythinkingthatGauriwasfinallygettinginterestedinjewellery;butshestillinquired,‘Whydoyouwanttogotothelocker?Thereareenoughornamentsathomeforyoutochoosefrom.’
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‘Amma,yourjewelleryisveryheavyformytaste.IwanttowearsomethinglightforRavi’sengagement.SinceIhavesometimebeforemyexamsstart,Iwanttocheckifthere’ssomethingsuitableformeinthelocker.’‘Well,Idon’tthinkyou’llfancyanythingthere.Thoseornamentsbelongedto
yourgreat-grandmother.Youwon’tlikethem—they’requiteoldandunfashionable.’‘ButIlikevintagejewellery,’insistedGauri.Shantadidnotbelieveher,butjustthen,sheheardRavi’sandPinki’svoices
cominginthroughthemaindoorofthehouse.ShequicklygavethekeytoGauri.Gaurirantoherfather,‘Oh,here’sthekey.Wecangotothebanktomorrow.’Absent-mindedly,Venkateshtookthekeyfromher.‘Whatdoyouwantfromthelocker,Anna?’‘Bhagavva’sfamilygiftedFatheraringwiththeSanskritletter“bha”;it’sthe
onlyproofoftheirmarriage.Iwanttoseeifit’sinthelocker.’‘Areyoucrazy?Don’tyouthinkyourgrandmotherwouldhavethrownit
away?Evenifitdidexist,Ammamusthavemelteditalongwithotheroldjewelleryandgotsomethingelsemade.Idon’tthinkthattheringwillbeinthelocker.’‘We’llfindouttomorrow,Gauri.’Thatnight,neitherfathernordaughtercouldsleepwell.Inthemorning,ShantasaidtoVenkatesh,‘Ihavetogotoameetingrightnow
butIwanttospeaktoyouaboutsomething.Let’stalksoon.’‘Yes,there’ssomethingIwanttosharewithyoutoo.’Anhourlater,VenkateshandGauriwenttothebankinBasavanagudi.When
theyopenedthelocker,theyfoundnumerousnecklaces,anklets,armlets,ringsandearrings.ItwasawonderthatShantahadnevertouchedthem.Shehadenoughmoneytobuynewones,anyway.‘WhydidMotherneveruseanyofthis?’Venkateshwondered.He
rememberedhismotherwearingonlyfourthingoldbanglesandablack-beadedmangalsutra.‘PerhapsGrandmadidn’tallowherto.I’veneverseentheseathome.’Hemadeathoroughsearchofthelocker’scontentsbutcouldnottracethe
ring.Hewasdisappointed.‘Youwereright,Gauri,’hesaid,‘thatringisnothere.
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Let’sclosethelocker.’Gauristoppedhim,‘Wait,Anna!’Shechoseatraditionalgoldnecklaceand
said,‘Ihavetotakesomethingfromthelocker,orelseAmmawillgetsuspicious.’Shewasright.Gaurisaid,‘Let’sgohome,Anna.I’mgettinglateforcollege.’Venkateshwenthomeinlowspirits.Herememberedhisfatherandhisroom
intheiroldhouseinBasavanagudi.Therewasabigwoodenboxinthatroom.‘Appausedtokeepitlockedallthetime.Nobodywasallowedtotouchit.Maybetheringisinthatbox.Where’sthatboxnow?’hewondered.Afterafewminutes,Venkateshdecidedtosearchtheattic.Heclimbedup
thereandfoundRavi’soldcradle,anoldbrasscoffeefilter,Champakka’sgrindingstone,abrassstatueofLordShiva—andfinally,hesawthebrownwoodenboxtuckedawayinacorner.Hewasthrilled.Immediately,heopenedthebox—andstartedsneezing.Thedusthadtriggeredhisallergies.Aftertheboutofsneezinghadsubsided,helookedintotheboxagain.Hefoundanofficial-lookingdocumentandsomereligiousbooklets;thepapershadyellowedwithageandbecomebrittle.That’swhenhesawit—asmallbrownpouch.Carefully,heopeneditandsawtheglintofagoldring.Ashepulledtheringout,hesawtheletter‘bha’engravedonit—exactlylikeBhagavvahadtoldhim.Venkateshhadfoundhisproof—MadhavRaohadconcealedhisloveforhis
firstwifefromhismother.Insidethepouch,Venkateshfoundaletterandamoneyorderformaddressedto‘Bhagirathi,c/oGopalKulkarni,Shurpali,TalukaJamakhandi,DistrictBijapur,Karnataka’.Themoneyorderhadbeenreturnedbecausetheaddresseewasnotfound.Venkateshrecognizedhisfather’shandwritingintheletter:Forgiveme,Bhagi.Idon’tbelievemymother’saccusations.Pleasehavepatience.IwillcomeandgetyouwhenIfindajob.Meanwhile,takecareofyourhealth.IamsendingyouthismoneythatIsavedfrommyscholarship,butdon’ttellanyone.Whenyougetthis,writetomeimmediatelyatmycollegeaddress.Iwillwritemoreindetailthenexttime.Yours,Setu
SohisfatherhadtriedtocontactBhagavvawithouthismother’sknowledge.ButthemoneyorderneverreachedherbecauseshehadalreadyleftShurpali,andtheynevermetagain.Venkatesh’seyesfellupontheolddocumentinthewoodenbox.Heopenedit
andreadthecontents.Itwasalegaldocumentconfirmingachangeofname
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fromSetumadhavRaotoMadhavRao.Venkateshfeltsad,‘HadAppabeenabletospeakduringthelastdaysofhis
lifeinsteadofbeingparalysed,maybehewouldhavetoldmehissecret.NowIunderstandwhyhechangedhisname.SetuhaddiedalongwithBhagirathi.’WhenGauricamehomefromcollegethatevening,shesawherfatherwalking
aroundwithanoldbrownpouch.‘Whatisthat,Anna?’sheasked.Hehandedthepouchtoherandwatchedheropenit.Sheheldtheringinher
handandstaredattheevidenceinfrontofher.‘Gauri,IwishmyfatherhadtalkedtomethewayIdowithyou.Butthose
weretheolddays;itwasbadmannerstospeakfreelywithyourelders.’Shenoddedandsmiled.Shelovedthetimetheyspenttogether.Venkateshadded,‘Ithinkit’stimeformetomeetmygrandmother’sstepsister
Parimala.I’vefoundheraddressinoneofMother’solddiaries.Ifsheisaliveandwell,Ihopethatshe’llbeabletotellmemore.I’llgobacktoHubliimmediatelytogetthissortedoutandthenI’llspeaktoShantaaboutthisaftermyvisittoParimala.’Gaurifeltsorry,andproudofherfather.Hewasstrugglingtosomehow
compensateforthewrongthathisfatherhaddonedecadesago,despitethefactthathewasnotresponsibleforBhagavva’splightinanyway.Ifitwereanyoneelseinhisshoes,theywouldnothavebotheredtoshouldertheresponsibility.
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10
AMeetingwiththePast
AfterreachingHubli,VenkateshwrotetoParimalaatherAsundichawladdressinMumbaiandaskedifhecouldmeether.Withinaweek,hegotareplyfromhersonNeelakanthaRao,‘Mymotherand
IdonotliveinMumbaianymore.WegotyourmessagefrommyeldersonwhostaysinAsundichawl.WeresideinGodboleMalainBijapur.Mymotheristoooldtotravel,butshe’llbehappytomeetyouifyoucancomeandvisitherhere.Shestaysathomeallday,soyoucancomeatanytimeanddayconvenientforyou.’Thatsamenight,VenkateshaskedAnantPatilaboutthebusscheduleandits
timingsforBijapur.Patilrespondedwithenthusiasm,‘Raoji,thereisanearlymorningbustoBijapur.Infact,whydon’tyoutakeaweekoffandgothere?Myaunt’syoungerbrotherhasabigpomegranatefarmandhecanarrangeyourstaytoo.Wouldyoulikemetoaccompanyyou?IknowthecityverywellandcantakeyoutoGolGumbazandothermonumentsandtemples.’VenkateshdidnotwantPatiltogowithhimsincethiswasadelicatefamily
matter.Hereplied,‘I’msorry,Patilji.I’mgoingonlyforworkandwillbebackinaday.’
*
Earlymorningthenextday,VenkateshcaughtthebustoBijapur.Thebusridewasonastraightandlevelledroad.Hepassedbyfieldsofsugarcane,cotton,wheatandmanyfruitorchards,butwasunmindfulofthescenery.Afterafewhours,thebusreacheditsdestination.Venkateshgotoffandsuddenlybecameawareofhisachingback.Hecheckedintoalocalhotel,hadashowerandatebreakfast.ThenheboughtsomefruitsandflowersandheadedtoGodboleMala.
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HefoundParimala’shomeeasily.Whenthedoortoherhouseopened,hefoundhimselffacingagrey-hairedoldmanwhogreetedhim,‘Namaskar,IamNeelakanthaRao.Pleasecomeinside.Youarewelcometoourhumbleabode.’Venkateshintroducedhimself.Neelakanthawondered,‘Thismanismyaunt’sgrandsonfromBangalore.
WheneverMotheraskedherstepsisterforhelp,sheneverbotheredtoreply.Therehasbeennocorrespondencewithusalltheseyears.Nowhersonhascometoseeus,perhapsonagoodwillvisit.What’stheusenow?’Still,heseatedVenkateshonanoldsofaandasked,‘Whatwillyouliketo
drink,Sir?Somethingcoldorhot?’‘Nothing,butthankyou.’Neelakanthaintroducedhimtoayoungman,‘Sir,thisismyyoungerson,
Vinayak;he’sinthefinalyearofcollegeinBCom.’VinayaktouchedVenkatesh’sfeet.Somebodycalledoutfrominsideoneoftherooms.Neelakanthaledtheway.
WhenVenkateshwalkedintotheroom,hesawawomaninhereightiessittingagainstawall.Shesawhimandimmediatelysaid,‘YouareChampakka’sgrandson,aren’tyou?Thenyouaremygrandsontoo.Champakkaalwayskeptadistancefromus,but...’Neelakanthastoppedher,‘Pleasedon’tdigupthepast,Avva.’Thenheturned
toVenkatesh,‘Sir,pleasesitdown.Avvaisoldnow.Don’ttakeanythingshesayspersonally.’Theoldwomanwasquietafterthatinitialoutburst.Venkateshasked
Neelakantha,‘Wheredoyouwork?’‘Iservedinthestatetransportdepartment;Iamretirednow.’Parimalasaid,‘Neelakanthahasfourchildren—twogirlsandtwoboys.The
twodaughtersaremarriedwhiletheeldestboylivesinMumbai.TherestofusstayhereinBijapurwithVinayak.’Neelakantha’swifeParvatibaicalledhimasideandwhisperedratherloudly
forVenkateshtohear,‘Wehaveamarriagetoattendandwe’regettinglate.Areyoucomingornot?Ifnot,Ihavetogoanyway.Ifthismanisyourrelative,I’llgivehimsomethingtoeatbeforeIleave.Justlookathim;he’snotbroughtanythingeventhoughhe’svisitingusforthefirsttime.’
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Venkateshunderstood.Hetoldhishosts,‘I’dliketostayhereforsometime.Ihaveeatenmylunchalready.Pleasegoaheadwithyourplans.Iwillbefinehere.’Neelakanthareplied,‘We’vearrangedthismarriageandthat’swhywecannot
missit,butwe’llbebackinnotimeatall.Pleasefeelfreetostayaslongasyoulike.Infact,youmusthavedinnerwithustonight.’Venkateshnodded.HewashappytobeleftalonewithParimala.Themoment
Neelakanthaandhiswifeleft,hetookoutthefruitsandflowersfromhisbag,kepttheminfrontoftheoldwomanandfoldedhishands,‘Grandmother,youaretheoldestsurvivingmemberofourfamily.Youaloneknowthepast.Please,tellmethetruth.’Parimalawassurprised,‘Whatisit?’‘It’saboutmyfatherMadhavRao’sfirstmarriage...’‘Ohyes!ThatwasthereasonthatmysisterChampakkaandIbecamedistant.
Whydoyouwanttobringitupnow?’‘Doyourememberhisfirstwife’sname?’Venkateshasked,withoutanswering
herquestion.‘IthinkitwasBhagirathiorsomethinglikethat.Imetherjustonce.’‘Whydidn’tyouseeheragain?Whathappened?’Parimalatookalongbreath,‘Peopleinhervillagesaidthatshewaspregnant
beforeshemarriedyourfather.Themidwifealsosaidsoafterseeingherbigstomach.ItoldChampakkaaboutitandshedecidedtodesertthegirlandgetyourfatherremarried.Yourpoorfatherwasheartbrokenatherdecision.’‘Why,Grandma?’‘Youmustknowthatyourgrandmotherwasanaggressivewoman.Shemade
thedecisionandsentalettertoBhagirathi’sfamilywithoutevendiscussingitwithherson.Afterthat,whenyourfatherlearntaboutwhatshehaddoneandcametometofindoutwhathadhappened,ItoldhimwhatIhadheardinthevillageduringmyvisittherewithChampakka.HesworethatBhagirathiwasassacredastheriverGanga.Hewrotetoherandwaitedforafewweeksforaresponse.Whentherewasnonews,hewenttothevillageinsearchofher,butshewasnowheretobefound.Myhusbandalsowenttohelpyourfatherfindhiswife.SomepeopletoldthemthatshehadcommittedsuicidebydrowningintheriverKrishnawithherchildandherfamilyhadmovedawayafterthatincident.’
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‘Howdoyouknowallthis?’heaskedher.‘Yourfathertoldme.Perhapsshereallydiddrownherself,butitdestroyedmy
relationshipwithChampakka.’Venkateshwasconfused,‘Idon’tunderstand.’‘Yourfatherbecamedepressedafterthisincidentandittooksometimefor
himtogetbacktonormal.Champakkablamedmyhusbandandmebecausewehadtoldyourfathereverything.Shewassofuriousatusforhelpinghimthatshecutoffallcommunicationwithus.’Venkateshfeltmiserable.Fiftyyearsago,someoneinthevillagegavehis
fatherincorrectinformation.Asaresult,poorBhagavvalivedlikeawidowthoughherhusbandwasalive,andMadhavRaobecameawidowerwhilehiswifewasalivetoo.Hesighedandglancedathiswatch.Itwas2p.m.Parimalaadded,‘Later,yourfatheragreedtogetremarriedforthesakeofhis
mother.Thiswasalongtimeago.Buttellme,whyareyousocurious?’‘Justlikethat.’‘Lookhere,son.I’mgoingtobedirectwithyou.Myhusbandhelpedyour
fatheralotwhenhewassearchingforhiswife.Now,Iamoldandmaybeit’stimeforyoutorepayus.CanyougivemetenthousandrupeesandgetVinayakajobatyourbankinBangalore?’Venkateshwasdisillusioned.Thisoldwomanwithonefootinthegrave
thoughtthathisindebtednesswasworthtenthousandrupeesandajob.HethoughtofBhagavvawhowasjustafewyearsyoungerthanParimala.Despitehersufferingandpoverty,shehadn’taskedhimforanything.VenkateshdidnotfeellikefoldinghishandsinfrontofParimalaafterherdemand.Hesaid,‘Idon’thavemuchmoneywithmerightnow.Pleasetakethis.’Hegaveheronethousandrupeesandwalkedoutofthehouse.Thatevening,
hecaughtthebusbacktoHubli.
*
Thenextmorning,VenkateshboardedthetraintoBangalore.Whenhereachedhome,hisdaughtergreetedhim.‘I’msogladyou’reback,Anna.Didyouhaveasuccessfultrip?’
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Henodded.Allthepiecesofthepuzzlewerenowinplace.‘I’veverifiedeverything.I’lltellyourmothertonight.’‘WhydidyourfatherleaveBhagavva,Anna?’‘Gauri,myfatherdidagreatinjusticetoShankarandher.Maybeitwas
becausehewashelpless,ormaybeitwasnobody’sfault,buteitherway,Bhagavvasufferedherentirelife.Isn’titmydutytohelpherinanywaythatIcan?’‘Iunderstandthat,butifyouofferhelpoutoftheblue,ShankarMasterwill
suspectyourintentionsandquestionyou.’‘Iknow.Iwanttotellhimthetruth.’Gaurisaid,‘Whatwillyoutellhim—thatyouarethesonofhisfather’s
secondwife?HaveyouforgottenyourpromisetoBhagavva,Anna?Whatwillyoudoifhegetsangrywithyourfather?’‘I’lltellhimhowFathertriedtocontacthismother.I’llconvincebothofthem
thatitwasallatragicmisunderstanding.I’lleventrytogivethemthemoneythattheyshouldhavereceivedwhenAppadied.’‘Butwhatiftheyaskformore?’shepersisted.‘Iknowwhatyou’rethinking.Bhagavvawon’taskmeforanything,I’msure.
I’lltellShankarthatI’mdoingthisforBhagavvaandmyfather.IfIgivetheirfamilyhalfofwhatAppaleftforme,hecangetnothingmoreeventhroughlegalmeans.’‘Ammawillsaythatthisisfoolish.’Venkateshsighed,‘Iknowthatthisisnotthewiseapproach.Butsometimes,
weneedtobeunwiseandstilldowhat’sright,Gauri.’‘Allthebest,Anna,butbepreparedforthestorm.’Thatnight,thefamilygatheredatthediningtablefordinner.Shantaordered
thecookstolaythetableandleave.Shewantedtodiscussfamilymattersanddidn’twantthehouseholdhelptooverhear.Shebeganwithaquestiontoherhusband,‘Haven’tyoufinishedyourworkinHubliyet?Who’sgoingtotakeresponsibilityforRavi’snewcompanyandhiswedding?’‘Ravi’sopinionisparamountforhismarriage.Andwhenitcomestoplanning
andinvesting,youreallyknowwhat’sbestforthecompany.’Shantapretendedtobeannoyed,‘Youjustthrusteverythingonme.Anyway,
itdoesn’tmatter.Ravineedsinvestorsforhisnewcompany.’
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‘Yes,wewillneedatleastonecrore,’Ravisaid.‘Ofcourse,mypartnerswillalsopaytheirshare.Thesedayseverythinghastolookexclusiveandglamoroustoattractglobalclients.’VenkateshturnedtoShanta,‘Idon’tknowanythingaboutrunningasoftware
company.Thetwoofyoucandoasyouseefit.’‘Actually,Idon’thavereadycash,’Shantareplied.‘Ipaidalotforthe
cardamomestateinCoorgrecently.Sincethestockmarketisonanall-timelowthesedays,wecan’tsellsharesnow.ButIhaveanidea—wehaverentedoutboththeGangaandTungacomplexes.WhatdoyouthinkaboutvacatingoneofthemandusingitforRavi’scompany?’‘Butthenourrentwillbehalved.’‘Sowhat?Atleast,wewon’thavetoinvestinitially.’Shantacontinued,‘We
haveotherexpensescomingup,too.RaviandPinkilikeeachotherandwouldliketogetmarriedsoon.Wehavetosponsortheirengagement,whilePinki’sparentswilltakecareofthewedding.Wemustspendatleastfifteenlakhsconsideringourstatus.Alltheseworrieshauntmeinmysleep.’PoorShanta!Shecouldn’tsleepdespiteherwealth.‘Butwhydoweneedtospendfifteenlakhsforanengagement?’Venkatesh
wonderedoutloud.‘WehavetoconsiderVeena’sstatusandourstoo.WemustbuyPinki
expensivegoldsets.Moreover,theengagementmustbeinafive-starhotelwherewewillgiftsilveritemstoallguestsandarrangeabigdinnerspreadforthem.It’sgoingtobealotofexpenditure.’‘Notnecessarily,Shanta!Grandma’sgoldisstillthereinthebank.Neither
Gaurinoryouhaveeverwornanyofit.WhynotgiveittoPinki?Wecanalsosetupashamianainfrontofourhouseinsteadofpayingahotel.Don’ttreattheengagementlikeabusinessdeal.Wedon’thavetospendmoneylavishly.’Shantawaslivid,‘IfVeenalearnsaboutyourplans,she’llrefusetogiveher
daughtertous.You’llneverunderstandwhatitmeanstobuildrelationshipsandrunabusiness.Whatdoyouknow?You’vebeensittinginHubliallalong!’‘Actually,I’vebeendoingsomethingdifferentthere.Ihavelearntsomuch
aboutmyfatherinthelastmonth.’TherewassomethinginVenkatesh’svoicethatmadeShantaandRavisitup
andtakenotice.
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Venkateshstartedatthebeginning,andasthestoryunfolded,bothmotherandsonstaredathiminabsolutedisbelief.
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11
AFather’sDebt
Bytheendofthenarration,neitherVenkateshnorGauricouldholdbacktheirtears.However,therewasasmirkonRavi’sface.‘Well,I’mimpressed,’hesaid.
‘Thoughourgrandfatherhadtwowives,theydidn’tknowabouteachother.Hewasasmartoldman,wasn’the?’Shantaaskedherhusbandwithhercustomarycoldcaution,‘Whatdoyou
wanttodoaboutit?’‘Ihaven’tyettoldShankarandBhagavvaaboutmyfindings,butIknowthat
theyliveinextremepovertyandIwanttohelpthem.That’stheleastIcando.’‘Howmuch?’sheasked.‘Fiftylakhs.Theycanbuyahousewithtenorfifteenlakhsandtheycanuse
therestfortheirchildren’seducationandmarriage,orBhagavva’smedicaltreatment.’ShantaandRaviexclaimedinunison,‘Fiftylakhs!’‘Iinheritedtwositesfrommyfatherafterhisdeath—theGanga–Tunga
complexes.Besidesthat,heleftmegoldinthebankandseveralfixeddeposits.Today,BhagavvaandherfamilyareinareallymiserableconditionandIshouldgivethemwhatwasduetothematthetimeofFather’sdeath.’‘Butwe’renotresponsiblefortheirsituation,’Shantasaidangrily.‘Youareright;wearenotresponsibleatall,butwhenIinheritedmyfather’s
property,Ialsoinheritedhisshareofmistakes.Appafailedinhisdutytowardsthem.Wecan’tundothepast,butmaybewecanmaketheirlivesalittleeasier,especiallysincewehavesomuchwealth.There’snolegalproofoftheirwedding,there’sonlyanewspapercuttingoftheaccidentandAppa’spicture;butthereisadivinecourtoflawaboveuswhereoursoulsarethewitnesses.’
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‘StoptalkingaboutGodandoursouls,Dad.Let’sbepractical.Wecan’tgivethemanythingrightnow,’Ravisaid.Venkateshsaid,‘Whynot?Haven’tItoiledforthishometoo?Thankstoyour
motherandherinvestmentsmadefromtheGanga–Tungarentwereceivedinitially,we’veearnedsomuchmoreinthelasttwentyyears.Don’tforgetthatthestart-upcapitalcamefrommyfather.’‘Relax,Dad.Don’tgetemotional.Didn’tyouhearwhatAmmasaid?Atthe
moment,wehavefinancialproblemsofourownandyet,youarewillingtogiveawayfiftylakhstosomeoneforthesolereasonthatheresemblesyou.WeallknowthatGrandfatherwasafraidofhismother.Maybehehadanaffairandtheoldwomanissimplymakingupastory.Whyshouldwebotheraboutherorherchildwhenourgrandfatherhimselfdesertedher?Ifeellikelaughingatyou.Youmaygivehimtwentythousandandclosetheissue.’Venkateshknewthathissonwasclever,buthehadn’tknownthathewas
heartlesstoo.Ravifeltnocompassionorempathy.Whatkindofamanwouldhissonbeinthefuture?Forthefirsttimeduringthediscussion,Gaurispoke.Shesaid,‘Anna,Ithink
youareright.’Venkateshturnedtobothhischildrenandasked,‘What’llyoudoifIgive
awayeithertheGangaorTungacomplextoBhagavva?’Ravirepliedcalmly,‘I’llgotothecourt.That’sourancestralpropertyandyou
don’thavetherighttojustgiveitawaywithoutourconsent.Youcanonlydonatemoneyorpropertythatyouhaveearnedonyourown.’Venkateshwasdisheartened;hissonwaspreparedtogotocourtagainsthim
andputthefamilyhonouratstakeforfiftylakhrupees.Howcouldtwochildrenraisedbythesameparentsandinthesameenvironmentbesounlikeeachother,hewondered.Shantadidn’tsayanything,butGaurirushedtoherfather’srescue,‘Ravi,
whataboutourfamilyreputation?Besides,stopforaminuteandthinkaboutit:Annaisright.LethimgivefiftylakhstoBhagavvawhohassufferedherwholelifeonlybecauseshewasunfortunateenoughtogetmarriedtoourgrandfather.Imagineheragony!’RaviturnedhisangertowardsGauri,‘It’sveryeasytoadviseothers.Willyou
giveawayyourshareofthepropertyjustlikethat?’
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‘Withoutasecondthought,’patcameherreply.‘Annaisnotaskinganythingforhimself;he’stryingtocompensateforthewrongdonebyhiselders.Ifyouwant,I’llgivefiftylakhsfrommyshareoftheinheritance.Anna’shappinessismoreimportanttome.’‘Doyouknowthevalueoffiftylakhs?’Ravisnappedather.‘I’lltellyou.Itis
awell-furnishedfour-bedroomhouseinJPNagar,oradecent-sizedsiteatKoramangala,orenoughcapitaltostartanewsoftwarecompany.Ifyouputfiftylakhsinafixeddeposit,you’llgetanincomeoffortythousandeverymonth!Andyouwanttojoinyourfatheringivingthatkindofmoneyawaytosomeoldwoman!It’sfoolishness.’Withoutwaitingforareply,RaviglaredatVenkateshandstompedoutofthe
room.Shantastoodup,‘Look,oursonisright.Ifyougivethemfiftylakhsnow,they
mayaskyouformorelater.It’sbetternottogivethemanythingatallinthefirstplace.’‘No,Shanta,trustme,’Venkateshsaid.‘Shankarisnotthatkindofaman.
Comewithmeandmeetthefamilyonce.Thenyou’llunderstandwhatI’mtalkingabout.’Sheshookherhead,‘Itdoesn’tmatterwhetherImeetthemornot.Irefuseto
givethemanything.Butifyouwanttogivethemsomething,pleasegivethemwhateveryouwantoutofyourownsavings.Idon’tmindthatatall.Goodnight.’Shetoowalkedoutoftheroom.Fatheranddaughterwereleftaloneatthediningtable.Thefoodhadbecome
cold.Gauriputherhandonherfather’sshoulderinanefforttocomforthim,‘Anna,don’tgetupset.Iknewhowthey’dreact.’‘Gauri,Iwasgoingthroughsomeoldphotoalbumsbeforedinner.Isaw
picturesofmymarriage,mybirthdaysandmythreadceremony;everythingwascelebratedwithsomuchpomp.Icouldn’thelpthinkingofShankarwhoisonlyafewyearsolderthanme.Hewascompletelydeprivedofafatherandacarefreechildhood.Ifeelbad.’‘It’sgettinglate.Pleasetryandsleepnow.We’llfigureoutsomethinginthe
morning.’Venkateshsaid,‘Forthefirsttimeinmylife,Ifeelhorribleaboutnotearning
moremoneythanIdid.YourmotherindirectlyhintedthatIearnlessthanher.
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TherentfromtheGanga–Tungacomplexeswascreditedtomyaccount,butyearsago,Imadeitajointaccountwithherandnowsheusesitforallherinvestmentsandbusinesses.Today,shetoldmetousemypersonalsavingswhensheknowsverywellthatmyonlyotheraccountismysalaryaccount,whichdoesn’thaveafatbankbalance.IspendmostofwhatIearnoncharity.There’sonlyfivelakhsthere.’‘It’sokay,Anna.’‘Howisitokay?Bothmotherandsonwillsurelytakeoutallthemoneyfrom
thejointaccount.’‘Thebanksareclosedatnight.Come,let’sgotosleepanddealwiththis
tomorrow.’Gauriheldhishandanddraggedhimtothebedroom.Venkateshwasreluctant
tosleepthere.Today,hefeltthathiswifewastheugliestwomanintheworld.Finally,hewenttotheguestroom,butsleepwasfar,faraway.Shantawasawakeinthebedroomtoo.Sheknewthatherhusbandhadgoneto
anotherroomtosleep,butshedidn’tcare.Shefumed,‘Anoldwomaninavillagesomewheretellshimastoryandhebelievesthatshe’shisfather’sfirstwife.Evenworse,hewantstogiveherfiftylakhs.He’ssogullible!It’seasytogiveawayyourwife’searnings.Heshouldfirsttrytosavesomemoneyhimself.’ShantawasalsoannoyedwithGauri,‘Shealwaystakesherfather’sside.Our
familyisdividedintotwoobviousfactions.I’llcontactourlawyertomorrowandmakemywill.’Inhisbedroom,Ravitoowasspendingasleeplessnight.‘Menareusually
practical.It’smymisfortunetohaveafatherlikeAnna.Insteadofhelpingmewithmycareer,heputsobstaclesinmyway,andmyfoolishsisteragreeswithhim.Thisworldisaboutthesurvivalofthefittest.Sometimes,wearecompelledtouseothersasladderstosuccess.Annaisstupidtoeventhinkofgivingawaymoneylikethis,’hethought.
*
Thenextday,Venkateshreceivedacallfromtheheadofficeduringhismorningwalk.HehadbeentransferredbacktoBangalore.Buthewasnothappy.Whenhecamebackhome,ShantaandRaviignoredhim.Theydidn’twantto
talktohim.Gauricalledout,‘Anna,comehere.I’mupstairs.There’saphone
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callforyou.’Whenhewentup,hefoundthattherewasnophonecallforhim.Gauri
motionedforhimtopeepoutofthewindowandhesawbothmotherandsonheadingouttowork.Heasked,‘Gauri,whydidyoulieaboutthephonecall?’Shesmiled,‘Becausesometimesliesbeautifyourlives.’Sheadded,‘Here,
Anna,takethis.’Shehandedhimanenvelope.Whenheopenedit,hewassurprisedtofinda
chequeforforty-fivelakhsinShankarMaster’sname.Hewasspeechless.Gaurilaughedathisexpression,‘Ammahadinvestedinafixeddepositofone
crorerupeesinmynametoavoidincometax,ormaybeitwasformymarriage.Yesterday,whenRaviaskedifIwouldgivemoneyfrommyshareofinheritance,IthoughtaboutitagainatnightandrealizedthatIdon’tminditatall!Idon’twantsomeonetomarrymeforthesakeofacroreoranursinghome.Iwantaboywhowantstomarrymebecausehelikesme.Iwantasmartboy,ofcourse,butnotsomeonelikeRavi.Otherwise,mylifewillalsobelikeyours.’Venkateshwasproudofher.Hisdaughterwasmuchwiserthanhehadever
beenatthatage.Heaskedher,‘Gauri,yourmotherwillfindoutaboutthis.Youknowthat.Whatwillyoudothen?’‘Ihaven’tstolenthismoney,Anna,norhaveIgivenitawaytoacausethatI
don’tbelievein.I’mnotafraidofheroranyoneelse.Nomatterwhatpeoplesay,I’llalwaysfollowmyconscience.Itdoesn’tchangewithrankormoneyanditdoesn’tfadelikefameorbeauty.Youhavetaughtmethat.’Oh,hislittleGauricouldeventalkaboutphilosophy!Shecontinued,‘Anna,youcantakethefivelakhsoutofyouraccountand
givethematotaloffiftylakhs.’‘Whydidyoudothis,Gauri?’‘That’ssoeasy,Anna.Youwanttopaybackadebtthatyourfatherowes
somebody.Iwanttopaybackadebtthatmyfatherowestoo.’Tearsrolleddownhischeeksandfellonhisdaughter’shands.Shedidn’twipe
them,butsmiledandleanedagainstherfather.Itfeltlikeaburdenofgenerationshadbeenliftedofftheirshoulders.
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Mukesh
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1
TheFall
Itwasmid-MarchandalmosttheendoftheskiingseasoninLausanne.MukeshwasnotastrangertothisbeautifulSwisscitythatboastedapanoramicviewoftheAlpsononesideandofLakeGenevaontheother.Whenhewasyounger,hehadaccompaniedhisfatheronbusinesstripstoSwitzerlandmanytimes.WhileAppawasbusywithhismeetings,Mukeshwouldexplorehissurroundings.Duringoneofhisvisits,hehadlearnttoskiandenjoyedthesportfromthenonwards,butneverreallybecamegoodatit.Today,hewassittingonthedeckofaresort,drinkinghotcoffeeandfeeling
toolazytoski.HeadmiredtheAlpsandthereflectionofthesun’sraysonthesnow-coveredpeaks.Themountainslookedsilver.Heheardthesquealingofyoungchildrennexttothedeckandpeekedsidewaystofindsixkidsplayinginthesnow,tryingunsuccessfullytobuildasnowman.‘ThisissuchacontrastfromBangalore,’hethoughttohimself.Hismindwanderedtohisfather,KrishnaRao—aself-madeandsoft-spoken
gentleman,knownasRaoSahebtoothers.Hehadcomefromhumblebeginningsandhadworkedhardtobecomewhohewastoday.RaoSahebownedahugegarmentexporthousecalledMukeshExportsinBangalore.Thoughhewasnotveryhighlyeducated,hekneweveryaspectofthebusinesslikethebackofhishand.Mukesh’sparentshadwantedhimtojointhefamilybusiness,buthedidnot.
Theyweresurprisedwhenhehadstudiedhistory,languageandartandhadbecomeaprogrammeexecutiveatBBCinLondon,wherehewasresponsibleforcoveringIndia’scultureandheritagesection.Nobodyinthefamilyhadevermajoredinhistorybefore.AfterMukesh’semploymentinLondon,hisoldersisterNeerajaandherhusbandSatish,alitigationlawyerinBangalore,hadhelpedRaoSahebwiththeexportbusiness.
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‘Hey,lookatme!’Mukeshheardafaintandfamiliarvoice.HeglancedaroundandsawVasanthiwavingathimfromashortdistanceaway.Mukeshsmiledandwavedbackather.Shewaswearingappropriatewintergearalongwithapinkheadband,ski
goggles,pinkglovesandapinkjacket.Shewassogoodatskiingthatnobodywouldeverguessthatshe’dgrownupinMysoreinaconservativefamilythatdiscouragedgirlsfromparticipatinginsports.Hewondered,‘IsshereallythesamewomanthatIgotmarriedto?’Fondly,herecalledthefirsttimethathehadmether.HehadcometoIndiaon
aholidaytomeethisfamilyandafriendhadinvitedhimtoMysoretojudgeapaintingcompetition.Vasanthiwasoneoftheparticipantsthere.WhenMukeshhadseenherforthefirsttime,hehadnotbeenabletotakehis
eyesoffher.Shewasslim,fair,tall,andhadlong,straighthairthatfelltoherwaist.Ithadbeenloveatfirstsight.Shewasthegirlhewasgoingtomarry!Amidstallhisfeelings,hehadsimplyforgottentoseeorjudgeherpainting.DuringthetwodaysofhisshortstayinMysore,hehadgatheredinformation
abouther.Hehadlearntthatshewastheyoungestdaughterofapanditandhadthreeoldersisters.Thefamilywasorthodoxandlivedonameagreincome.MukeshhadcomebackandtoldhisfamilyaboutVasanthi.Hisfatherhad
agreedimmediatelywithoutevenseeingthegirl.Hismother,Sumati,hadraisedhereyebrowsandhadgivenhimanaughtysmile,‘NowIknowthatmyMunnahasgrownup.’Hisoldersister,Neeraja,hadaskedhimtothinkaboutitandtakeitslow.Shehadbeenworriedaboutthevasteconomicdifferencebetweenthefamilies.Herhusband,Satish,hadremarked,‘Whengirlsfrompoorfamiliesgetmarriedintorichones,theirattitudechanges.Withthisgirl’sbackground,shemaysiphonmoneyoffquietlyorbuythingsforherparents’home.’Mukeshhadinterjected,‘Shedoesn’tevenknowthatIlikeher!I’mreadyto
getmarriedtoherbutthatdoesn’tmeanthatshewantsthesamething.’RaoSahebhaddeclared,‘Let’sgowiththeproposaltothegirl’sparentsand
thenwe’llseewhathappens.’Accordingly,Vasanthi’sfamilyhadbeeninformed.Asitturnedout,they
happenedtobefromthesamecommunityasMukesh’sfamily.WhenherfatherhadaskedforMukesh’shoroscope,RaoSahebhadsaid,‘Wedon’tbelieveinhoroscopesatall.Mydaughtergotmarriedwithoutanysortofhoroscope-
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matching.Ifyouthinkthattheboyandourfamilyisgood,wecanproceedwiththewedding.’Thepoorpandithadnotbeenabletosayanythingmore.Hehadknownthatit
wasthebestthingthatcouldhavehappenedtohisdaughter.MukeshwasfromawealthyandrespectablefamilythatownedahugebungalowinSadashivnagar.Thefamilyalsohadabigfarmhouseandabusiness.Butmorethananythingelse,thepanditknewthatMukeshwasmadlyinlovewithhisdaughter.Afewmonthslater,VasanthiandMukeshhadbeenmarriedinBangalore;Rao
Sahebhadtakencareofalltheexpenses.Sumati’shappinesshadknownnobounds.Thedayafterthewedding,shehadtoldVasanthi,‘Mychild,youarejustlikeNeerajatome.Thisisyourhousenow.’SumaticonsideredVasanthitobeherdaughterandNeerajatreatedherlikearealsister.Soonafterthewedding,thecouplehadmovedtoLondonandhadenjoyed
exploringthecitytogether.Withinafewmonths,Vasanthihadlearntswimminganddriving.Atfirst,shehadbeenscaredofthewaterandtheLondontrafficbutMukeshhadencouragedhertopersistandtrysomethingnew.Vasanthihadbegunappreciatingthedifferencesincultureandhadevencutherlonghair,sportingabobinstead.TheKanjeevaramsarishadbeendiscardedandshehadstartedwearingjeans.Shehadstartedexperimentingwithmicrowave-cookingandhadbegunWesternclassicalmusiclessons.Despiteallthesechanges,VasanthialwaysspokeinKannadaathome.Her
loveforthelanguageandthereligiousritualswasneverinquestion.Shehadconvertedtheirstoreroomintoapujaroomandprayedeveryday,justlikesheusedtodoinMysore.Dutifully,sheworeatraditionalsariandsincerelyperformedGauriPuja,GaneshPujaandLakshmiPujaeveryyear.Vasanthi’svoicestartledhim,‘Whomareyoudreamingof?’Mukeshturnedtoherandsaidnaughtily,‘Whenyou’reinfrontofme,how
canIdreamofanyoneelse?Tellme,areyoureadytoleave?’‘Tenmoreminutes,andthenwe’llgo,allright?Thisisthelastoftheseason
andwewon’tbebackuntilnextyear.’Mukeshnoddedreluctantlyassheskiedawayfromhim.Hiseyesfollowed
hertothetopofthenearesthillandhitthebluesky.Bluewashisfavouritecolour.HisfirstgifttoVasanthihadbeenabluesari.Unfortunately,Vasanthihatedblueandcouldnottellhimthatsinceitwashisfirstgifttoher.
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Subsequently,whenhestartedgivingherbluesariseverytime,shehadtoldhim,‘Mukesh,Idon’tlikeblue.Itremindsmeofmyschooluniformandthedisciplineandstrictregimethatcamewithit.ButIlovepink.Itissosoftandlightandfulloflove.’Mukeshwasanartist.Hehadquicklyunderstoodthefeelingsbehindtherequestandmovedtopinksaris.Fromadistance,MukeshsawVasanthicomingdownthehill.Hecouldsee
hermoreandmoreclearlynow.Foramoment,hesuddenlyfeltthatshewasskiingataveryhighspeedandmighttripover.HeforgotwherehewasandscreamedinKannada,‘Vasanthi,becareful!Slowdown!’Peoplestaredathim,buthedidnotcare.Hiseyeswerelockedonhiswife’s
figure.Hewasright.Vasanthicrashedagainstapinetreeandfell.Shescreamedwith
pain.Twoskiinstructorsimmediatelyrushedtoherandbroughtherdowntherestofthehill.Mukeshrantobebyherside.Herfacewasredandherbeautifuleyeswerefilledwithtears—likehotwaterhadjustbeensplashedonapinkrose.Themanageroftheskiresortcameatonceandadvisedhim,‘We’llgivefirstaidbutpleasegotothehospitalrightafterthat.’Mukeshconcurredandphonedacabtotakethemtothenearesthospital.At
first,hethoughtthattheinjurymaybeasimplemusclepullorasprain,butVasanthiwasunabletostandorwalkonherown.Atthehospital,thedoctorranafewtestsandfinallytoldVasanthi,‘I’msorrybutyouhaveafracturethatneedsimmediatesurgery.’Vasanthistartedsobbing.IfithadbeenLondon,thingswouldhavebeeneasier
forthemastheyknewthedoctorsthereandhadfriendswhocouldhelpthem.Theydidnotknowanyonehere.Still,Mukeshdidnotwanttodelayhiswife’smedicaltreatment.Hesaid,‘Let’sgoaheadwiththesurgery,Doc.’ThenheturnedtoVasanthiandtookherhandsintohis,‘Comeon,let’sgetthe
operationoverwithandresthereforafewdays.ThehospitalisoppositetheAlpsandatleastyoucanenjoytheviewasyourecover.We’llflybacktoLondononceyoufeelbetter.’Vasanthiagreedreluctantly.Whilebeingwheeledintotheoperationtheatre,shesaid,‘Don’ttellanyone
aboutthisinBangaloreorMysore,especiallyyourmother.She’llworryabout
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herMunnaandmayrunheretohelpyoulookafterme.I’msureI’llbeallrightsoon.’ShesmiledandMukeshnervouslywatchedherdisappearintotheoperation
area.
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2
PhoneCalls
Mukesh’scellphonerang.ItwasJohn,hiscolleague.Hesaid,‘Mack,ournextprojectisdelayed.IthoughtthatI’dletyouknowsothatyoudon’thavetohurrybacktoLondon.Let’smeetwheneveryougethere.’‘Okay,thanks.’Justafterhehungup,hegotanothercall.ItwasNeeraja.‘Munna,Appahas
hadaheartattackandhe’sintheICU.Comehomequickly.’Foraminute,Mukeshwastakenaback.Howcouldthishappentohisfather?
AndhowcouldheleaveVasanthialone?Neerajasaid,‘Munna,canyouhearme?’‘Akka,Icanhearyouclearly.I’minLausanne,notLondon.VasanthiandI
cameheretoskiand,unfortunately,shemetwithanaccidentjustafewhoursago.Rightnow,she’sintheoperationtheatre.I’llchecktheflighttimesandleaveasquicklyasIcan.How’sAppa?Whatdoesthedoctorsay?’Neerajareplied,‘Wait,I’llcallyoubackintwominutes.’Shedisconnectedthecall.Mukeshimmediatelydecidedonhisplanofaction.Aftertheoperation,he
wouldcatchthefirstflighttoBangalorethenextday.HeknewthatVasanthiwouldunderstandwhyhehadtoseehisfather,buthewantedsomebodytobewithhertillhecameback.Hewasnotsureifhersistersalreadyhadtherequiredvisafortravel.HisfriendsinLondonmaynotbeabletocomeatsuchshortnoticeeither.Suddenly,hethoughtofJohnandphonedhim,‘John,IhavetotraveltoIndiaunexpectedlytoseemysickfather.DoyouthinkthatyoucancomeandhelpVasanthioutforafewdaystillthedoctorsallowhertogobacktoLondon?Onceshe’sathome,she’llmanagethingsonherown.’Johnreplied,‘That’snotaproblem,Mack!I’llreachLausannetonightor
tomorrowmorning.’
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‘Thankyousomuch,John!’Nowthatthatwassettled,Mukesh’sthoughtsturnedtowardshisfather,
‘Neerajawouldn’thaveaskedmetocomeifitwasn’tserious.WillIbeabletoseeAppaonelasttime?WhatifsomethinghappenstohimbeforeIreachBangalore?’Thephonerangagain.ItwasnotNeerajathistime,itwashismother.Sumati
said,‘Munna,thedoctorinformedusthathecan’tsayanythingrightnow.It’llgivemeconfidenceifyoucancomehere.BringVasanthialso.’‘She’smetwithasmallaccidentandwon’tbeabletomakethetrip,butI’m
coming.Don’tworry.Pleasewaitforme,Amma.Please.’HeheardSumatisobbingasheendedthecall.Anhourlater,Vasanthiwaswheeledoutofsurgeryandbroughttoherroom.
Shewasconsciousandabletotalkdespitethemedications.Mukeshwentnearherandputahandonhershoulder,‘IjustgotacallfromIndia.Appaisnotwell.’‘Whathappened?’sheasked,immediatelyconcerned.Hetoldherabouthisfather.Withoutamoment’shesitation,shesaid,‘Leave
forBangaloreimmediately,Mukesh.Don’tworryaboutme.I’msurethatyourmotherwillbefeelinghelplesswithoutyou.Youshouldbewithheratthistime.’Herwordsgavehimencouragementandreassurance.Hewentbacktothe
hotelandstartedpackinghisbags.
*
WhenMukeshenteredthefirst-classcabinoftheairplane,hehardlynoticedanyone.HewasbusyrememberingwhenhehadlastseenAppa.Ithadbeenthefirstdayofthenewyearandhisfatherhadgivenhimten
thousandpoundsasagift.Mukeshhadfeltawkwardandsaid,‘Appa,I’manadultnow.Youdon’thavetocelebratemybirthdaylikeI’machild.’RaoSaheb,beingamanoffewwords,hadsimplysaid,‘You’llalwaysbea
childtome,Munna.’Hisparentscelebratedtwodatesashisbirthdayeveryyear—onewasNew
Year’sDayandtheotherwasBuddhaPurnima.WhenMukeshwasstillachild,heoftenaskedhismother,‘WhydoIhavetwobirthdays,Amma?’
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Shewouldaffectionatelyhughimandsay,‘Whenyouwereverysmall,wewerebuyingsomevegetablesontheroad.Suddenly,youpulledyourhandawayfrommineandranacrosstheroad.BeforeIcouldgrabyou,atruckhityou.Luckily,yourolledawayandfellontheothersideoftheroad,awayfromthetruck.Munna,youcouldhavediedthatday!ButitwasBuddhaPurnima,andyousurvived.ThatwasGod’sgifttomeandarebirthforyou.’Sincethatday,Sumatihadfedorphansandchildreninablindschoolandalso
performedapujaforMukesheveryyearonBuddhaPurnima.Forasecond,Mukeshwasterrifiedthinkingofaworldwithouthisfather.
Unconsciously,hishandwenttohissacredthreadorjaneu.Afterhisthreadceremony,whenhewaseightyearsold,Sumatihadtoldhim,‘Wheneveryouarescared,touchthethreadandrecitetheGayatrimantra.Youwillgetthestrengthtofaceallyourproblems.Andremember,nevereverremovethejaneuorthechainaroundyourneck.’‘Amma,whycan’tIremovethechain?’hehadasked.‘BecauseIsayso.Ibelievethechainprotectsyoufromharmandnegativity.’Suddenly,hiseyesfilledwithtearsthinkingabouthisparentsandtheir
unconditionallove.Hewasunabletosleepevenasheleanedbackandclosedhiseyes.
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3
TheOutsider
WhenMukeshreachedBangaloreandturnedhiscellphonebackon,hefoundanemailfromVasanthi.ShewasgoingbacktoLondonthenextday.Hewalkedoutoftheairportandranintohisparents’driverShafi,whowas
waitingforhimneartheexit.MukeshsawShafi’sfaceandknewatoncethathisAppawasnomore.Hisvoicedroppedtoawhisper,‘Whendidithappen?’‘Earlythismorning.’Bythetimetheyreachedhome,thehousewasfilledwithpeopleandMukesh
barelymanagedtosqueezethroughthedoorway.Whenhesawhisfather’slifelessbodyonthefloorcoveredinwhite,hebrokedownandcouldnotholdbackhistears.Heheldhisfather’sfeetandsobbeduncontrollably.Slowly,hebecameawareofagentlehandonhisshoulder.HeturnedaroundtoseeSumatithroughhistears.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,hesawhismotherlosingcontroltoo.Hegrabbedherhandandhuggedhertightlyasifnothingcouldseparatethem.Theirsorrowwasinconsolable.Neerajacameintotheroomandhuggedhermotherandbrother.Mukeshfelt
likehehadlosttheroofoverhisheadandthathe’dbecomeanorphan.NobodycouldeverreplaceAppa.Timewouldpassandhe’dgetusedtolivingwithouthisfather’spresence,buttheirreparablelosswasgoingtostaywithhimforever.Hisfamilywouldalwaysbeincompletenow.Afterafewminutes,thepanditcametohimandsaid,‘Youmustshaveyour
headandperformyourfather’sfinalrites.’Mukeshnodded.Thoughhedidnotbelieveinalltheritualsortheneedto
shavehishead,heknewitwouldbringasenseofpeacetohismotherandhewasreadytodoanythingtomakeherhappy.Sometimelater,peoplestartedaskingthefamily,‘Where’sVasanthi?Why
hasn’tshecome?’
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NeitherMukeshnorSumatibotheredtorespond.Afewhourslater,thesix-footRaoSahebwasconsignedtotheflamesand
soon,heturnedintothreehandfulsofashes.Thenextday,MukeshimmersedtheashesintheriverKaveriandprayedforhisfather’sdepartedsoul.Soon,alltheirrelativesandfriendsleftandNeeraja,MukeshandSumati
remainedathome.Neeraja’shusband,Satish,wenttothegrocerystorenearby.Thehouseseemedquietandlistless.MukeshbroughtoutalargepictureofRaoSahebandgarlandeditwith
flowers.Themanwhowasalivejustaweekagohadbecomeastatictwo-dimensionalpicture.Sumaticameandstoodnexttohim.Shesaidgently,‘Munna,nowthatallthe
ceremoniesareover,gobackandtakecareofVasanthi.Youcancomebackontheeleventhdayfortheremainingrituals.’ButMukeshwantedtobewithhismotheratthistime.HephonedVasanthi
whowasbackinLondon.SheinsistedthathestaybackinIndiaandtoldhermother-in-law,‘Amma,youneedhimmore.I’mdoingfinehere.’MukeshthankedGodforthetwoamazingandunderstandingwomenthathehadbeenblessedwith.MukeshwaslookingonlineforareturntickettoLondonfortwoweekslater
whenhisbrother-in-law,Satish,returnedandaskedhimunexpectedly,‘Doyouknowifyourfatherhasleftawill?’MukeshturnedtoSumati,‘Doyouknow,Amma?’Hereyeswelledupwithtearsandshereplied,‘Yes,Munna.Yourfathermade
awillandkeptitwithourfamilyadvocate,MrJoshi.They’veknowneachotherforeverandyourAppatrustedhim.’Henodded.Yes,herememberedUncleJoshiandAppaspendingalotoftime
together.‘Canwecallhim?’askedSatishcuriously.MukeshandNeerajadidnotreallycareandwentbacktowhatevertheywere
doing.SumatilookedatSatish.Hewasagood-looking,tallandshrewdman.Hehad
metNeerajaduringherMBAattheuniversitycampusduringhisvisitthereforaninter-collegedebate.Amutualfriendhadintroducedthemandwithinayear,
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SatishhadproposedmarriagetoNeeraja.ShehadfirstbrokenthenewstoMukeshandhe,inturn,hadconveyedittotheirparents.Afewdaysafterthat,RaoSahebandSumatihadgonetoSatish’shouse.Appa
hadnotlikedtheboy’sparents.Satish’sfatherwasanordinaryclerkinanofficeandthefamilywasnotfinanciallysound.Theyjustaboutmanagedtogetby.RaoSahebhadfeltuneasywhenSatish’sfatherhadaskedforabigfatweddingandflightticketsforalmostsixtyofhisrelatives.Theentiremeetinghadbeenaboutmoney,goldandproperty.WhenRaoSahebhadmentionedhisreluctancetoMukesh,hehadtriedto
pacifyhisfather,‘Appa,wemustunderstand.Satish’sfamilycomesfromadeprivedbackground.Itmattersalottothemtogetaneducateddaughter-in-lawfromawealthybackground.’‘No,beta,that’snottrue,’hisfatherhadsaid.‘Idon’tcomefromarichfamily
either,butforme,theindividualismoreimportantthanmoney.’‘Everyone’sdifferent,Appa.Besides,NeerulovesSatish.Heseemstobean
intelligentboy;maybehecanunderstandandtakecareofsuchfrivolousdemandsinthefuture.Let’sgoaheadwithitforhersake.’Afewmonthslater,Neerajahadbeenmarriedwithpompandfanfare.Rao
Sahebhadgiftedherabungalow,goldornamentsandmoney,sothatshewouldnothavetodependonanyone.Sumatisighedatthememory.Herhusbandhadtakencareofeverything!‘So,whencanwecallhim?’repeatedSatish.‘Ifyouthinkthatit’snecessary,pleasegoaheadanddoso,’repliedSumati,
feelingslightlyuncomfortableathiseagernesstoseethewill.SatishpickeduphiscellphoneandrequestedMrJoshitocometotheirhouse.Thenextday,intheafternoon,MrJoshiaskedtheentirefamilytojoinhimin
thelivingroomandclosedthedoorsothattheycoulddiscussthingsfreely.Satishsaid,‘IthinkI’llwaitoutside.Thisisthefamily’spersonalbusiness.’Mukeshstoppedhim,‘Youareapartofthefamilytoo.Pleasestay.’Satishsatdownwithoutaword.MrJoshiopenedthewillandbeganreading.Afterafewminutes,Mukesh
interruptedhim,‘Uncle,I’mafraidthatIdon’tunderstandmuchofthelegalese.I’msurethatAppawouldhavedoneeverythingproperly.Pleasetellusjustthemainpoints.’
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MrJoshireplied,‘Okay,Munna.I’lltellyoueverythinginbrief.ThefixeddepositsinthebankhavebeendividedintoequalhalvestobesharedbetweenyourmotherandNeeru.Sumatigetsallthegoldinthelockeraswellasthishouse.Itisherprerogativetowriteawillandsplithershareassheseesfit.’‘What’sthetotalamountofmoneyinthebank?’askedSatish.‘Aroundtwocrores.’‘Whatabouttheremainingassets?’probedSatish.‘ThecoffeeplantationinCoorg,thehouseinDelhi,theotherresidencein
BangaloreandthebusinessgoestoMunna.ThedriverShafiandthehelperRamlalgettenlakhrupeeseach.ThecookRadhagetsfivelakhsandthegardenerMahadevgetstwolakhs.Yourfatherwantstogivetwenty-fivelakhstotheorphanageinJayanagarandanothertentotheRaghavendraSwamitemple.Neerugetstokeepallthegifts,includingthebungalow,thatweregiventoherduringherwedding.’Therewassilenceintheroom.Satishcomplained,‘Thisisunfair.IneverimaginedthatRaoSahebwoulddo
suchathing.’‘It’swhathewanted,’saidMrJoshi.‘Besides,Sumaticandecidewhatshe
wantstodowithhershareatalaterdate.’‘What’stheapproximatevalueoftheremainingassets?’MrJoshiwasaseasonedlawyer.Heansweredtactfully,‘Youusedtohelphim
withthebusiness,Satish.Youshouldhaveabetteridea.’Mukeshwonderedoutloud,‘WhydidAppaleavesomuchforme?’MrJoshirealizedthatitwastimetogivethefamilysomespace.Hestoodup,
‘Moneymattersarealwayscomplex.Itisbettertoresolvethemcalmly.Thefourofyouneedtositdownanddiscussthisasafamily.’HeturnedtoMukeshandsaid,‘Munna,IneedthepowerofattorneydocumentfromyourDad’sfilestosettlesomeofthesematters.Callmeafteryouhavelocatedit.’‘Okay,Uncle.’Afterhehadleft,Mukeshaskedhissister,‘Neeru,doyouknowwherewe
shouldlook?Idon’tknowwhereAppakepthislegalpapers.’Sumatirepliedabsent-mindedly,‘Allhisimportantpapersareinsidetheold
safeinthestudyupstairs.’
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WhenRaoSahebwasalive,nobodywasallowedtotouchtheold-fashionedsafethatwasoriginallypurchasedinDelhi.Itwashisfirstpurchasewhenhewasbranchingoutonhisown.Hehadremainedattachedtoitandconsidereditluckyforbusiness.Neerajawenttoherfather’sstudyonthesecondfloorandMukeshheadedto
hisbedroomwonderingwhyAppahadbeenpartialtohim.Wasitbecausehewasaboy?Heshruggedoffthethoughtinstantly,knowingverywellthatthatwasnotthecase.MaybeifhegavesomeofhisassetstoNeeraja,itwouldappeaseSatishandthingscouldgobacktonormal.Mukeshdozedoff.Heawokewithastarttothesoundofsobbingcomingfromhismother’s
room.HeranthereandfoundNeerajaandAmmacryingonthebed.Satishwasstandingandlookingupsetwhileholdingapictureinhishand.Mukeshknewwhyhisbrother-in-lawwashurt—SatishthoughtthatAppahaddividedtheassetsunfairly.Gently,Mukeshtoldhim,‘NeeruandIarefamilyanditdoesn’tmatterwhogetsmore.I’llgivehalfofwhateverAppagavemetoNeeru.Let’snotinconvenienceAmmainanyway.’Satishretorted,‘Actually,theseassetsdon’tevenbelongtoyou.You’renota
partofthisfamily.’‘Howcanyousaysuchathing?’‘YouarenotNeeru’srealbrother,’Satishsaidslowly.‘Youwereadoptedby
thisfamily.’Mukeshwasannoyed,‘Thisisn’tthetimetojokearound.’‘I’mnotjoking,Munna.Here,lookatthis.’SatishshovedthephotographhewasholdingintoMukesh’shand.Itwasan
oldblack-and-whitepictureofNeerajaandMukeshsittingontwostools.Therewasavaseontheleftandacurtainpaintedwithwaterfallsinthebackground.Mukeshsaid,‘IadmitthatIhaven’tseenthispicturebefore,butwhat’ssospecialaboutit?’Hisbrother-in-lawobserved,‘Neeruiswearinganewskirtandblouseand
youarewearingavery,veryoldT-shirtandshorts.’‘So?What’swrongwiththat?’‘Lookbehindthepicture.’
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Mukeshturnedthepicturearoundandsawahandwrittendateattheback—‘2February1980,PicturePalace,Jalna,Maharashtra’.Immediately,Satishstartedaskinghimquestionslikethelawyerthathewas.
‘Munna,Neeru’sbirthdayison31December.Canyoutellmetheyearofherbirth?’‘1977.’‘Andyours?’‘Iamtwoyearsyoungerthanher,’repliedMukesh.‘Givemetheexactdate,please.’‘1January1980.IrememberbecauseAppaandAmmacelebratedNeeru’s
birthdayandminetogetheratmidnightonNewYear’sEve.ButAmmaalsocelebratedmybirthdayonBuddhaPurnima.Whyareyoubringingthisupnow?’Mukeshaskedsadly.‘Munna,ifyouwereborninthesameyearthatthispicturewastaken,you
shouldhavebeenonemontholdinthisphotograph.Tellme,doyoulooklikeanewbornhere?’Satish’svoicewasvictorious.Mukeshstaredatthepicture.Satishwasright.BothNeerajaandheappeared
tobetwoyearsold—almostthesameage.Satishcontinued,‘Ifweconsiderthispicturetobefactuallycorrect,thenthe
twoofyoumustbetwins.Butyouaren’t,areyou?NeeruhasabirthcertificatethatsaysthatshewasborninVaniVilasHospitalinBangalore.Whataboutyou?’‘AmmatoldmethatIwasbornathome.Sheknowsmydateofbirth.’Mukesh
turnedtoNeerajaandasked,‘Akka,wheredidyoufindthisphotographthat’sthreateningtoruinourrelationship?’Satishsmiled.Hehadmadehispoint.
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4
TheShatteringSecret
WhenNeerajahadenteredherfather’ssecond-floorstudyearlier,shehadopenedthesafebuthadnotfoundthepowerofattorneydocumentinside.ShehadthoughtofcallingouttoMukeshtocomeandhelpherlookinthecupboards,butthenhaddecidedagainstit.ShefeltsorryforherbrotherbecausehewasgoingtohavetotravelsoonandtakealongflightbacktoLondon.Afteratwenty-minutesearchwithnoluck,shehadgonebackandlookedatthesafeagain.Shehadstretchedoutherhandinsideandtohersurprise,hadfoundthedocumentandasmallboxatthebackofthesafe.Neerajahadkeptthedocumentasideandhadcuriouslyopenedtheboxtofind
asmallenvelopethathadturnedyellowwithage.Shehadpeekedinsideandpulledoutapicture—apictureofMukeshandherself.Itwasararechildhoodphotographthatshehadneverseenbefore.Withoutevenclosingthesafe,shehadrundowntoshowthepicturetohermother.Shehadmetherhusbandonthestaircaseandcriedoutinexcitement,‘Satish,lookwhatIfoundinsidethesafe!It’sMunnaandme.Don’twelookcutetogether?AmmaandAppamusthaveforgottenaboutit.’Suddenly,shehadrememberedthatshehadleftthesafeopenupstairs.She
hadtoldherhusband,‘Here,takethispicturedownandshowittoAmma.I’llclosethesafeandjointhetwoofyouinaminute.’SatishhadnoddedasNeerajawalkedbackupstairs.Hehadstartedclimbing
downthestairswhilelookingatthepicture.Inaflash,hehadnoticedthathiswifeandherbrotherlookedliketheywereofthesameageinthepicture.Somethingwaswrong.Hehadthought,‘Neerulooksjustlikehermother—thecurlyhairandthestraightnosearedefinitelyfromher.MunnaisalsotalllikeRaoSahebbuthisfeaturesareverydifferent.Hehasdark,softandstraighthair
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butRaoSahebwascompletelybald.Still,itisdifficulttotellfromanyone’sexternalappearance.Ishouldn’tjumptoconclusions.’Satishwasasmartmanandhadrealizedthathismother-in-lawwouldknow
thetruth.HehadgonetoSumati’sbedroomandstoodnearthedoor.Absent-mindedly,hehadnoticedthephotosonherdressingtable—oneofMukesh’smarriageandtheotherofNeeraja’sandhis.Sumatiwasformalwithherson-in-lawandhadbeensurprisedtoseehimat
herdoor.Shehadstoodup.Hehadcomeinsideandaskedher,‘WhenwasMunnaborn?’Neerajahadalsocomeinafewsecondsbehindhim.‘Youhavebeenmyson-in-lawforthelastfiveyearsnow.Youknowwhenwe
celebrateMunna’sbirthday,’Sumatihadsaid.‘That’swhyI’maskingyou.’Satishhadheldoutthephotograph.‘Youtook
thisinJalna.’Sumatihadlookedatthepictureandfelttheblooddrainrightoutofher.She
hadturnedpaleandaskedhim,‘Wheredidyoufindthis?’Neerajahadreplied,‘ItwastuckedawayatthebackofAppa’ssafeinanold
envelope.’Satishhadinterrupted,‘Amma,Neeru’sfuturedependsonthis.IsMunnanot
yourson?OrisNeerureallynotyourbiologicaldaughter?’Sumatihadnotresponded.Neeraja,takenaback,hadstartedcrying,‘AmInotyourdaughter?Tellme,
Amma!’Sumatihadstillnotansweredthequestion.Shehadalsobegunsobbing.Their
crieshadwokenupMukesh,whohadthenwalkedintothebedroomandfoundhismotherandsistercryingonthebed.
*
Sumatifeltexhausted.Afterafewdeepbreaths,shesaid,‘NeeruismydaughterandMunnaismyadoptedson.Ilovehimmorethanmylifeitself.’Satishsmirked.NeerajacouldnotbelieveherearswhileMukeshfeltlikethe
earthhadjustopenedupandswallowedhimwhole.Afewminutespassedandtheworldseemedtobeatastandstill.
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Satishlefttheroom.Mukeshstaredatthecowshedoutsidethewindow.Acalfwasdrinkingitsmother’smilk.Ammawascrying.Slowly,hewentnearherandsatinfrontofheronthefloor.‘Amma,tellmethatthisisalieandthatyou’replayingaprank,’hesaid.Sumatididnotreplybutplacedahandonhishead.‘Whydidn’tyoutellmeearlier?’Mukeshasked.‘Munna,webothlovedyoulikeyouwereourown.Sotherewasnoreasonfor
ustotellyou.’‘ButAppasharedalmosteverythingwithme.Hewasoneofmybestfriends.
Whydidhehidethisfromme?’‘Munna,AppawantedtotellyoumanytimesbutIstoppedhimfromdoing
so.Beforehewentintoacoma,hecalledoutyourname.Hemusthavefeltthatyoushouldknowwhathadhappened.’Mukeshwasalittleupset,‘Whydidn’tyoulethimtellmethetruth?’‘Becauseoffear.Iwasscared,Munna.I’dheardfrommanypeoplethatonce
achildlearnsthatheisadopted,hegoesinsearchofhisbiologicalparentsandforgetsabouteveryoneelse.Iwasscaredthatyou’dleaveandforgetaboutme,too.WhatwouldIdothen?’‘Amma,wheredidyoufindme—inanorphanageorinadustbin?’Sumatishookherhead,‘No,notfromanorphanage,beta.Neitherdidwefind
youinadustbin.Yourmothergaveyoutome.’‘Whoisshe?Andwhereisshe?’‘HernameisRupinderKaurandshelivesinAmritsar.’‘Amma,whydidshegivemeaway?AmIasardar?’Shesighed,‘It’salongstory.’
*
SumatirecountedthatRaoSaheb’sfamilywasfromavillagenearKunigal,whichwasclosetoBangalore.KrishnaRaohadcompletedhistenthgrade,butduetofinancialreasons,hecouldnotstudyfurtherandfoundajobasanordinaryclerkinthegoodsdivisionintherailways.Hehadtakencareofgettinghissevensistersmarriedsincehisfatherhadpassedawaywhenhewasveryyoung.Bythetimeitwashisturn,nobodyhadwantedtogivetheirdaughtertoamanwhohadnothingtoofferhiswife.ThensomeonehadsuggestedSumati’s
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name.ShewasanorphanwhowaslivingwithherbrotherandhisfamilyandtheywereevenpoorerthanKrishnaRao.Soon,theyweremarriedinatempleandlivedhappilyinBangalore.After
fifteenmonthsofmarriage,Sumatibecamepregnant.Atthetimeofdelivery,shewasrushedtothegovernmenthospitalinBangalore,whereshegavebirthtoNeeru.Duetocomplicationsduringthedelivery,thedoctordecidedtodoanemergencyhysterectomyandremoveheruterus.Thecouplefeltverysadthattheycouldnothavemorechildren,buttheydecidedtonottellanyoftheirrelativesabouttheoperationandtogivetheirdaughterthebestlifethattheycould.Later,whenKrishna’smotherlearntthatthenewbornwasagirl,shedidnotevencometoseehergrandchilddespitebeinginthesamecity.Instead,shesentamessagetoKrishnaandSumatithattheyshouldhaveababyboythefollowingyear.Afterafewmonths,KrishnawastransferredtoJalna,arailwayjunctionin
Maharashtra.ThecouplewasveryhappytoleaveBangalorebecauseofKrishna’smother’sconstanttaunting.WhentheyreachedJalna,Krishnawasallottedasingle-roomedhouseintherailwaycolonyinfrontofthestation.SumatiadjustedeasilysinceshehadlearntHindiinschoolandsettledintoa
routineveryquickly.Theonlyproblemshehadwasthatofprocuringdrinkingwater.Thewater
camejustforanhourveryearlyinthemorningandsometimes,shecouldnotgetupintimetofillthebuckets.Oneday,herneighbourtoldher,‘Ifyouneedwaterurgently,crosstheroadandgototheSardarji’sbigbungalow.Theoldladyinthehouseisatoughwoman,butherdaughter-in-lawisniceandshewillletyoutakesomewaterfromtheirwell.’Oneday,Sumatihadnowaterathome.Hesitantly,sheapproachedthe
Sardarji’shouseforthefirsttimewithNeeruintow.Shefoundayoungwomancleaningthevesselsatthebackofthehouse.Sumatiaskedhertimidly,‘MayItakeabucketofwaterfromyourwell?’‘Whyareyoufeelingshy?Pleasecomeandtakeit,’saidthewomanand
pointedtothewellwhichwasafewfeetaway.Suddenly,Sumatiheardanauthoritativevoicefromthebalcony,‘Whoisit,
Rupinder?’
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‘Awomanfromtherailwaycolonyhascomewithherchild.Shewantsabucketofwater.’TheoldladysaidinPunjabi,‘Okay,giveherwater.Youshouldneverrefuse
someoneaskingforwater.Buttellhernottomakeitaneverydayhabit.’Sumatididnotunderstandwhatwasbeingsaid.RupindersmiledandsaidinHindi,‘Pleasefeelfreetotakewaterwhenever
youwant.’Whileshewaspullingthebucketofwateroutfromthewell,Neerustood
behindhermotherholdingthepalluofhersari.Rupinderasked,‘Issheyourdaughter?’‘Yes.Doyouhavechildrentoo?’‘Oneson.’Justthen,ayoungboyalittleshorterthanNeerucameoutfromthebushes
withapieceofchapattiinhishand.Rupindersmiled,‘He’smyson.’Theboyfeltawkwardinfrontoftheunexpectedvisitorsandrantohis
mother’sside.Neeruwasholdingaladduinherhandandimmediatelywenttohimandgavehimhalfofit.Atfirst,theboywashesitanttotakeit.Sumatiencouragedhim,‘Takeit,beta.She’syourakka.’‘Whatdoes“akka”mean?’‘Inourlanguage,itmeanseldersister,’saidSumati.‘What’syourname,
beta?’‘IamMunna,’theboysaid.Neerurepeated,‘Munna.’
*
‘Amma,Iamthatboy,amInot?’Mukesh’svoicebroughtSumatibacktothepresent,‘Yes,Munna.’‘Isn’tthatwhyIcallyouAmmaandNeeruAkka?’Withtearsintheireyes,NeerajaandMukeshlookedateachother.Satish
wouldneverunderstandthefeelingsofbeingtogetherforalifetimeorthefondmemoriesoftheirfirstmeeting.NeerajahadsharedherladduwithMunnaandMunnahadsharedhischapattiwithher.Withatremblinghandandtearsflowingdownhercheeks,Neerajawenttoher
brother,heldhishandandsimplysaid,‘Munna.’
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5
ForaBetterLife
Inashorttime,NeeruandMunnabecameinseparable.RupinderandMunnacametoSumati’shouseeveryafternoon,butNeeru
neverwenttoMunna’shousetoplay.Sometimes,RupinderwouldleaveMunnainSumati’shousefrommorningtillnight.Frequently,he’devensleepoverandnotgobacktohishouseatall.HequicklylearntKannadaandstartedcallingSumati‘Amma’andKrishna‘Appa’.Sumati’sobviousloveandKrishna’saffectionforMunnamadeRupinderveryhappyandsadatthesametime.Slowly,SumatifoundoutmoreaboutRupinder.Shewasahard-workinggirl
fromapoorfamilythatlivedinavillageontheborderofHaryanaandPunjab.Whenshewasveryyoung,shewasmarriedtoSurinder—aschooldropoutandashort-temperedmanwhowascompletelycontrolledbyhismother.ShemadeRupinderworklikeaservantallday.Surinder’sfamilywasabigandrichjointfamilyinJalna.Everybodystayedtogetherinahugehouseandworkedinthefamilybusiness.Withinayearofhermarriage,thejointfamilyoptedtoseparateandSurinder
decidedtostartacarworkshopalongwithhisbrother.Afewmonthslater,Munnawasborn,justbeforetheopeningoftheshop.HehadadarkpatchonhisrightfootandSurinder’smotherwasconvincedthatitwasabadomen.Asiftoprovehercorrect,theworkshopdidnotdowell.Themother-in-lawstartedignoringMunnacompletelyandonlypaidattentiontoSurinder’sbrother’schildren.Evenasachild,MunnafelttherejectionandpreferredtostayinSumati’shouse.Monthspassed.ThefamilydecidedtosellthebungalowandgotoAmritsarto
trytheirluckthere.RupinderstartedcryingasshetoldSumatiaboutthefamily’splans.Sumaticonsoledher,‘Rupinder,pleasedon’tcry.Wetooaretransferredeverytwoorthreeyearsduetomyhusband’sjobintherailways.Youwillfind
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goodfriendseverywherebecauseyouareanicelady.Attheveryleast,youwillbeclosertoyourmaternalhomeandcanvisityourparentsoften.’Rupinderreplied,‘That’snottheproblem.Myproblemisthatmymother-in-
lawdoesn’twantMunnatocomewithustoAmritsar.Shesaysthathe’llbringbadlucktothefamilyovertheretoo.Shewantsmetosendhimtomyparents’houseinthevillage.MyparentsareoldandpoorandifMunnalivesthere,hewon’tgetagoodeducationandwillendupbecomingalabourerorsomethinglikethatwhenhegrowsup.Myhusbanddoesn’tlistentomeeither.Idon’tknowwhattodo.’Sumatididnothaveananswer,butshecouldunderstandthemindsetofthe
oldergeneration.Herownmother-in-lawhadrefusedtocometoJalnatomeetNeeruthoughtheyhadrequestedherseveraltimesandevensentherarailwaypass.SumatisympathizedwithRupinder.Thepoorwomanhadnosupportfromhermaternalhome,nomoney,nopower,andauselesshusband.Theonlypositivethinginherlifewasherloveforherson.RupinderstooduptogohomebutMunnawassleepingnexttoNeeruunder
anoldbedsheet.ShewasabouttolifthimandcarryhimhomewhenSumatisaid,‘Lethimsleepheretonight.Godknowshowmuchlongeryou’llbehere.Letthemenjoyeachother’scompanytillthen.’Thenextday,Sumatifoundthreerupeeswhileshewascleaningthehouse.
Shewasveryhappytofindsomeextracash.ShethoughtabouttakingMunnaandNeeru’spictureinthereasonablypricedandpopularphotostudiocalledPicturePalace,beforeRupinderdepartedfromJalna.Enthusiastically,shesharedherplanwithRupinderandaskedforherpermission:‘Iwanttotakethekidstothecityforaphotograph.Theycankeepitasasouvenirofthetimethey’vespenttogether.’Rupinderwasinnomoodtorefuse.Shehadotherthingstoworryabout.Thatafternoon,SumatiandKrishnatookthetwochildrentothecity.Allof
themfeltexcitedwhentheywalkedintothestudio.KrishnaheldMunna’shandandSumatiheldNeeru’s.Whentheyinquired,theyweretoldthatthephotowouldcosttworupees.SumatiandKrishnahadthechildrenposeforthephotograph.Afterthepicturewastaken,thefourofthemwentoutintothestreetandatebhelpuriwiththeremainingmoney.ItwasabigtreatforNeeruandMunna.
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WhenSumatiwentbacktodropMunna,Rupinderupdatedher,‘Thistime,myhusband’sfamilywantstostartagrocerystoreinalargechowkinAmritsarneartheMataLalDevitemple.They’velocatedacornersiteandthinkthatagroceryshoptherewillbeextremelyprofitable,especiallysinceitisnexttoaschool.Wewillliveupstairsandopentheshopdownstairs.’Withinafewmonths,thesitewaspurchasedandeverythingwasfinalized.
Thefamilywasgoingtoleaveinafewdays.ButRupinderwasworriedabouthersonandsharedherthoughtswithSumati,‘HowcanIleaveMunnawithmyparents?Theycan’ttakecareofhimandnobodyislisteningtome.Iamreadytogivehimawaytosomeonewhowilladopthimandkeephimwell,insteadofsendinghimtothatvillage.Murderandtheftisrampantthereandthechildrencan’tstudyproperlybecauseofthebadenvironment.Munnawon’thaveafuturewithoutagoodeducation.’Rupinderweptindespair.Thatnight,SumatitalkedtoKrishnabeforegoingtobed,‘Youknowthatwe
can’thaveanotherchild.WhatdoyouthinkaboutusadoptingMunna?’Krishnawassurprisedathersuggestion,‘Whywilltheygivetheirchildtous?
Wearefromadifferentcommunityandculture.Besides,Rupindermaychangehermindinafewdays.Thinkaboutit:whatfuturewillMunnahaveinourhouse?Wearen’trichlikeRupinder’sfamily.’Sumaticountered,‘WecaneducatehimandtreathimthewaywetreatNeeru.
Iknowstitchingverywell.Iamwillingtomakeclothesathomeandsupplementthefamilyincome.Butnomatterwhat,we’llgiveourbesttoboththekids.It’sbetterthathestayswithusratherthanbecomingacoolieinavillagefaraway.Ifyouagree,I’lltalktoRupinderaboutit.Ifsherefuses,it’stheendofthematteranyway.Buttellme,doyouhaveanyobjection?’Krishnasmiled,‘YouknowhowmuchIloveMunna.I’veneverdifferentiated
betweenNeeruandhim.’Bothofthemhadarestlessnight.Inthemorning,Krishnaplacedhishandaffectionatelyonhiswife’sshoulder,
‘Sumati,Isupportyouwholeheartedly.Don’taskmeaboutthisagain.We’vemadethedecisiontogether.ButIworrythatoncewehavehim,Iwon’tbeabletogivehimup.’Sumatifeltthetearswellingupinhereyes.
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Atnoon,shewenttoRupinder’shouseandfoundherbusypacking.Sumatitoldherdirectly,‘Iwanttotalktoyouaboutsomethingimportant.Cometomyhousewhenyoucan.’Withoutasking,MunnafollowedSumatibacktoherhome.Whenhesaw
Neeru,hesquealedindelightandtheystartedplaying.Rupinderjoinedthemhalfanhourlater.ShetoldSumati,‘Weareleavingin
twodays.’‘WhathaveyoudecidedaboutMunna?’‘MyhusbandsaysthatifIdon’tleavehiminmyparents’home,wecanleave
himinagurdwaraorphanage.’Rupinderalmostbrokedown.‘Ifyoudon’tmind,mayIsuggestsomething?’‘Anything.Pleasetellme.I’mreadytodoanythingthat’llmakeMunna’slife
better,’pleadedRupinder.‘Canweadopthim?’Rupinderstaredather.Sumatirepeated,‘Canwepleaseadopthim?’Thistime,Rupinderunderstood.‘Areyousure?Haveyouaskedyour
husband?’‘Ofcourse.We’vetakenthisdecisiontogether.Butwehaveonecondition.
AfterafewyearshavepassedandMunnahassettleddownwithus,youcan’ttakehimaway.Itwon’tbegoodforhimandwewon’tbeabletolethimgoeither.’Rupinderthoughtforafewminutes.‘No,Iwon’taskforhimoncehe’sliving
withyou.’‘Youmaynotask,butyourmother-in-laworhusbandmaycomebackoneday
justbecausehe’saboy.Theyplacealotofimportanceonhavingamaleheir.’‘I’msurethattheywon’task.Munna’sfutureiswithme,notwiththem,’she
saidfirmly.‘HowcanIbelieveyou?Rupinder,pleasetalktoeveryoneathomeandthen
decide.’‘Believeme,Sumati,theywon’tlookbackatMunnaonceheisgone.I
promiseyouandswearonWaheGuruasawitnessthatwewon’tcomebackforhim.Notonlythat,IguaranteeyouthatIwon’tevenvisithim.It’llbeveryhardforme,butIwantMunnatohavestabilityinhislife.That’smoreimportant.’
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Rupinderpaused.‘Butwhatwillhappenifyouhaveanotherbabylater?Iknowthatyou’lltakecareofMunnawell,butonceyouhaveyourownboy,thenthingsmightchange.’Sumatisighed,‘Ican’thaveanotherchildbecauseIhadahysterectomyright
afterNeeruwasborn.OnlymyhusbandandIknowaboutit.’Rupinderheldherhandandsobbed,‘Givehimagoodeducationandraisehim
tobeagoodhumanbeing.Knowingyou,I’msurethatyouwilldothatanyway.’Thoughshewascrying,RupinderfeltasenseofsatisfactionandreliefknowingthatMunnawouldhaveagoodfuture.Sumatisaid,‘IpraytotheGurutogiveyoustrength.Doyouwantmy
husbandtocomeandtalktoyourfamilyaboutMunna?’‘No,that’snotneeded.Theyjustwanttoberidofhim,youknowthat.’She
lookedatSumati.‘ButIwanttokeepMunnawithmetillthedayweleave.’Sumatinodded.RupindertookMunnaandwenthome.Twodayswentpastinaflash.ThedayRupinderwasleaving,shecameto
Sumati’shousecarryingMunnainherarms.Hereyeswereswollenanditlookedlikeshe’dbeencryingcontinuously.Munnawaswearingnewclothesandcarryingacandyboxandanewtoy.Hehadnoideathatthiswasthelasttimehewasseeinghismother.HesawNeeruandscrambleddownfromhismother’sarmstoplaywithher.‘Sumati,todaymaybeourlastmeeting.Idon’tknowwhetherI’mdoingright
orwrong,butI’mgivingmydearbabytoyou.Ihaveabadmother-in-law,analcoholichusbandandabickeringfamily.Munnadoesn’thaveanyfuturewithus.It’sbetterthathestayswithyou.’Herfriendnodded.RupinderremovedagoldchainfromherneckandputitaroundMunna’s.She
said,‘Sumati,thisistheonlygiftmyparentsgavemewhenIwasmarried.Idon’thaveanymoneytogive,butthismustalwaysbewithMunna.Don’tevertellhimaboutme,unlessit’samatteroflifeanddeath.’Sumatigaveherahug,‘Beforeyouleave,tellme,what’shisdateofbirth?’‘Idon’tknowthedate,buthewasbornonBuddhaPurnimaayearandahalf
ago.Onhisbirthday,pleasedonatefoodtothepoor,Sumati.That’stheonlywaytocelebrate.’
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Sobbing,Rupinderturnedandleftthehouse.
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6
ASon’sRight
Bythetimethestorywasover,itwaslateatnight.Sumatiwasexhaustedandstressed.Thethirty-year-oldsecretwasfinallyout.Shesaid,‘Munna,nowyouknowthewholetruth.’Mukeshkepthisheadonherlap.Heknewthatshewouldnothideanything
fromhim.ThefearoflosinghersonandthepromisethatshehadgivenRupinderhadstoppedherfromtellinghim.Shehadkeptherpromiseandlovedhimlikeherown.She’dencouragedhimtostudyfurtherandsupportedhimwhenhewantedtomarryVasanthi.Howmanyparentsdidthatmuchevenfortheirbiologicalchildren?‘Amma,Appaandyouhavedonesomuchforme.Otherwise,Godalone
knowswhereImighthavebeen,’Mukeshsaid.‘Munna,yourfatherlovedyoualot.Heusedtocallyouourluckystar.’‘Whatdoyoumean?’Sumatiwasthrownbackintothepastagain.
*
WithinamonthofRupinderleaving,KrishnawastransferredtoDelhi.Munnaaskedforhismothereveryday,butoncethefamilyrelocatedtoDelhi,hebecamefascinatedwiththenewsurroundingsandadjustedquickly.KrishnawasnotabletogetahouseintherailwaycolonysinceDelhiwasabigandcrowdedcity.Sothefamilyrentedasmallhouseontheoutskirts.LifewasdifficultbutSumatiwashappy.MunnawasnotastallasNeeru,so
shetoldeveryonethatshehadtwochildren—agirlandayoungerboy.Now,SumatithoughtaboutintroducingMunnatoherparents-in-law’sfamily.Shetoldherhusband,‘IfwetellyourfamilythatwehaveadoptedMunna,thenwhenever
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wevisitBangalore,there’sachanceofsomeonetellinghimthathe’snotfromourcommunityorthathewasadopted.Ormaybethey’lltreathimdifferentlyfromNeeruandhewillfigureitoutonhisown.PleaseletmedoasIthinkisright.’Krishnadidnotreallyagreebutallowedhertogoaheadwithherplan.Sumatiwrotealettertoherparents-in-lawandherbrothertellingthemthat
shewassixmonthspregnant.Sheknewthatneitherhersister-in-lawnorKrishna’smotherwouldoffertocomeandhelpherinDelhiforthedeliveryorinvitehertocomeandstayinBangalore.Shewasright.Afterthreemonths,sheinformedthemthatshehadhadababyboyon1January1980.Whenhermother-in-lawlearntthatshehadagrandson,shewrotetoSumatiblessingherandthechildandthankingherforthecontinuationofthefamilyname.Meanwhile,SumatidecidedthatshewouldnotvisitBangaloreforafewyears.Unexpectedly,Krishna’smotherpassedawayinafewmonthsandhehadto
gotoBangaloretoperformherlastrites.KrishnatoldhisrelativesthatSumaticouldnotcomebecauseoftheirinfantchild.ThisishowtheirlastconnectionwithBangalorewassevered.MunnaandNeerugrewuptobehealthytoddlersundertheclosesupervision
oftheirparents.NowthatSumatihadsometime,shedecidedtobuyasewingmachineand
stitchclothes.However,theydidnothaveanyextramoneyorevengoldjewellerythattheycouldsell.Oneday,shetoldKrishna,‘PleasemortgageMunna’sgoldchainandbuyasewingmachine.’Krishnaobjected,‘Wecan’tdothat.ThechainisRupinder’sgifttoherson
andwehavenorightoverit.’‘Ididn’ttellyoutosellit—onlytomortgageit.’‘Whatwillhappenifwecan’tpaybackthemortgage?Thenwewilllosethe
chain,Sumati.It’sourresponsibility.’Sumatiwascourageousandpractical.Shesaidconfidently,‘I’llworkhardto
repaythemortgagemoneyandgetthechainback.IknowhowimportantRupinder’sgiftis.’VariousmoneylenderstoldKrishna,‘Wearewillingtobuyyourchainforten
thousandrupees.Whydon’tyousellit?’
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‘No,Sir.Thischainisgiventomysonwithspecialblessings.Wecan’tsellit,’Krishnasaid.HemanagedtomortgagethechainandSumatiboughtasewingmachine.
Munnaperformedthemachinepujabeforehismotherbeganstitching.Sincetheirneighbourhoodwasarelativelypoorone,Sumatikeptherchargesminimal—tworupeesperblouse,onerupeeperskirt,andsoon.Sheherselfwentfromdoortodoortocollecttheclothmaterial.Shestitchedtheclothesontimeandreturnedtheremainingcloth.Herhonestyandskillmadeherpopularandshewasabletogetthechainbackwithinayear.Thenextyear,shemortgagedthechainagainandrepeatedtheprocess.The
ordersgrewslowlybutsurelyandwithinthreeyears,shehadthreesewingmachinesandtwohelpers.MunnaandNeerualsohelpedherwiththehouseholdchores.ShetrulybelievedthatMunnahadbroughtlucktothefamily.Soon,thetwochildrenstartedgoingtoschool.Onthefirstdayofschool,
SumatiperformedSaraswatiPujaforthemandregisteredtheirnames.SinceshedidnotknowMunna’srealname,KrishnaandshethoughtaboutitandagreedthatMukeshwasawonderfulnamebecausetheywerebothfansofthesingerMukesh.ThusMunnawasnamedMukeshK.Raoandhisdateofbirthbecame1January1980,whilehissisterwasregisteredasNeerajaK.Rao,bornon31December1977.Threeyearslater,Krishnapassedadepartmentalexamandbecamea
commercialgoodsclerkintherailways.Inthisrole,hemetmanytradersfromDelhiandotherplaces.OneofthemwasKeshavLal,thetransportmanagerofVibhavariGarmentsinDelhi’sLajpatNagarmarket.Thestoreexportedgarmentstoothernationsandsuppliedbalesofclothtovariouspartsofthecountrythroughthegoodstrains.Normally,whenevertheconsignmentarrivedorreacheditsdestination,Krishna’sbossinformedLal,whoimmediatelysenthisemployeestotakedeliveryoftheshipment.EveryDiwaliandNewYear,KeshavLalcametotherailwaygoodsdivisiontogivespecialgiftstoKrishna’sbossandafewotherseniorpeople.Krishnausuallygotjustaboxofsweets.Onararerainydayduringwinter,theconsignmentofVibhavariGarments
landedinDelhiadayearlierthanscheduledandwasstashedawayinanopenandunsecuredyard.Krishna’sbosswasonvacationsonobodymadethecalltoKeshavLal.Thoughitwasnothisresponsibility,Krishnacoveredthegoods
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withplasticsheetsandcalledLal,whocameatoncetotakedelivery.Hewashappytoseetheconsignmentinperfectcondition.Withtearsinhiseyes,hesaid,‘MrRao,Iwillneverforgetyourhelp.Iftheconsignmenthadbeenstolenordrenched,mycompanywouldhaveincurredhugelossesandIwouldhavelostmyjob.Iamextremelygratefultoyou.’‘It’ssimplymyduty,’saidKrishna.Thenextday,KeshavLalcametoKrishna’shousewithabigboxofmithai.
Intheveranda,hesawthreesewingmachinesandsomepeoplebusystitching.Sincehewasintheclothbusiness,hesatdownandcheckedthequalityofthegarments.Whenhemetthecouple,hesaidtoKrishna,‘MrRao,ifyourwifecansupplyclothestous,Icangivehersomecontractworkatadecentrate.I’vecheckedsomeofherworkandit’sgood.’KrishnaturnedtolookatSumati,whosmiledandnodded,‘I’lltrymybest.’WhenMukeshandNeerajacamebackfromschool,theywereveryhappyto
seethebigboxofmithai.Slowly,Sumatiincreasedthenumberofmachinestofiveandthenumberof
helperstothree.Eventually,shebecamethemanagerandtherestwashistory.Sumati’sbusinessgrewexponentiallywitheachpassingyear.Krishnaalsotookaninterestinherbusinessandbeganmanagingtheadministrativeworkandoddjobs.Withinafewyears,heresignedfromhisjobandstartedMukeshExports.Timeflew.ThefamilyboughtahouseintheesteemedDefenceColony.
SumatitookherchildrentoBangalorebyairandperformedMukesh’sthreadceremonythere.Shegavehersisters-in-lawveryexpensivegifts.Soon,KrishnaRaolearntthetricksofthetradeandstartedexportingheavily.
HecametobeknownasRaoSaheb.ThefamilyexpandedthebusinesswithanewfactoryinBangaloreandrelocatedthere.Still,RaoSahebandSumatiretainedtheDelhioffice.
*
Listeningtohismother,Mukeshfinallyunderstoodhisfather’swill.RaoSaheb,beingthemanthathewas,knewthatSumatiandhewereabletostartthegarmentsbusinessbecauseofthegoldchain.Butthechainwasnevertheirstobeginwith;itwasalwaysMukesh’s.That’swhyhehadleftthebusinesstohim.RaoSahebcouldhavewilledatleasthalftoNeeraja,buthedidnot.
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Mukeshrecalledanincidentwhenhehadgonetohisfriend’shouseforasleepovermany,manyyearsago.Thenextmorning,hehadtakenthechainoffbeforehavingabathandforgottenitonthebathroomcounterbesidethesink.Whenhehadcomehome,hismotherhadbeenbusytellingsomebodytomaketengoldmangalsutrastodonateforcommunitymarriagesandhadnotnoticedthemissingchain.However,hereyeshadgonetohisneckduringlunchthatdayandherfacehad
instantlyturnedpale.‘Munna,where’sthechain?’shehaddemanded.‘IthinkIleftitinRakesh’shouse.I’llpickituptomorrow.’‘Stopeating!Goandbringthechainrightnow,’shehadorderedhim.‘Relax,Amma.Itmustbeonthebathroomcounter.It’snotgoinganywhere.
I’llcallRakeshandaskhimtobringittoourhousetomorrow,’hehadsaid.‘No,callyourfriendandtellhimtokeepitready.Gowiththedriverandpick
itupimmediately.’‘Youdonatesomuchgoldtomakemangalsutrasforpoorwomen.Mychainis
worthonlythirtythousandrupees.Thenwhyareyousoattachedtothischain?Attachmentisnotgood,Amma.’Sumatihadsnappedathim,‘Munna,don’ttalktomeaboutattachment.Iam
orderingyoutogoandgetthechainrightnow.’Mukeshhadbeenveryupsetandhadlefthometobringthechainback.Upon
hisreturn,hehadgiventhechaintohismotherandsaidangrily,‘RakeshlaughedatmewhenIwentthere.HesaidthatIwasthesonofamillionaireandthatIcamebackonlyforthesakeofameaslychain.Amma,Idon’twanttowearit.IfIloseit,thenI’mafraidthatyou’llgetaheartattack.’Atthetime,Sumatihadnotsaidanything.Shehadsimplyheldthechainin
herhandsandlookedupatthegoddessLakshmi’spictureintheirlivingroom.Now,Mukeshknewwhy.Thechainwasapartinggiftfromhisbiological
mother.Thoughshehadlookedafterhimforonlyayearandahalf,shehadgivenhimlifeandbreastfedhim.Hewasdisappointed,angryandsad.‘Howcouldmymothergivemeawayto
somebodyjustlikethat?Whydidn’tshekeepme?’Hismindwasnotatrest.Hefeltcompletelyaloneandthought,‘WhoamI?
WhywasIborn?Mybiologicalparentsrejectedmeandgavemeawaytothis
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family.Thoughtheyhavetreatedmeastheirson,Iamnotreallyapartofthem.Thehouse,thecars,myeducation—theyareallanobligation.Iamanoutsider.’Sumaticamecloseandpattedhisheadagainandagain,asiftoreassurehim.MukeshrememberedVasanthiandwonderedwhatshewouldsay.‘She’sa
traditionalgirl.Willsheacceptmenow?Iamthesonofasardar.Whatwillshethinkofme?’Hewantedtocallherandtellhereverything.Whenhephonedhersometime
later,sheaskedhimhowthingsweregoingandadvisedhim,‘You’rethefavouritechildofthehouse.Soyoumusttakecareofyourmotherandsister.Don’tworryaboutme.Iammanagingverywellhere.Comebackafterthingsaresettledthere.’‘Whatmother?Whatsister?’hewantedtosay.Theydidnotmeananythingto
himtoday,buthecouldnotexplainallthistoheroverthephone.Hesaidgoodbyeanddisconnectedthecall.Afewdayslater,itwastimefortheeleventh-dayceremony.Mukeshwasstill
disturbedbyhisnewlyrevealedpast.Hedidnotknowwhathewasgoingtodoaboutit.Thefamilypanditcamefortheritualsandsaid,‘Munna,getready.WeneedtocompletetheritualsontimebecauseIhavetwootherappointmentstoday.’SatishignoredMukeshandwenttoSumati,whowasstandingnexttoherson.
Heaskedher,‘Tellme,Amma,whatritualsshouldIdo?’SatishwassendingaclearmessagetoMukesh—hedidnotbelongtothis
family.SowhatrightdidhehavetodoanythingforRaoSaheb?Mukeshfeltterrible.Hewantedtoperformhisfather’srites,notbecauseoftheinheritance,butbecausehestillfeltlikehisparents’son,eventhoughtheattachmentwasnotbiological.HecursedthemomentwhenNeerajahadfoundthepicture.Hadthatpictureremainedlockedaway,lifewouldhavegoneonasusual.MukeshtoldSumatifirmly,‘Amma,Idon’twantanymoneyfromAppaor
you.Atleast,IknowwhereIcomefromnow.Akkaandyoucankeepmyshareoftheinheritance,butIwanttoperformAppa’sfinalrituals.ItismyrightandIwilldoitforAppa.’Hismothersmiled,‘Whosaidthatyouaren’tgoingtoperformthem?Come,
sitdown.Let’sstarttheceremony.’
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7
BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor
Aftertheritualswerecompleted,thepanditleftandthehousebecamequiet.Twodayspassedandthingsremainedatastandstill.SumatiwantedMukesh
tomovebacktoIndiaandtakechargeofthepropertyandthebusiness.ShedidnottrustSatishcompletely.Butshealsoknewthatherson’sheartwasintheartsandhistoryandhemaynotbeabletohandleabusiness.‘Maybehecanappointsomebodyelse,’shethought.ButshewasunabletotalktoMukeshaboutitbecausesheknewthathewasstillreelingfromtheshockoffindingoutthathewasadopted.However,herson’sthoughtswereelsewhere.Heplannedtogivehis
inheritancetoSumatiandgobacktoLondon.Shecoulddecidewhatshewantedtodowithit.Itmaybealittledifficultforhimtolivewithhislimitedsalary,hethought,buthehadbeengivenagoodeducationandthatassetwasthegreatestofthemall.ButbeforereturningtoLondon,hewantedtofindhisbiologicalmother.He
wasangry.Whyhadsheabandonedhim?Thequestiontroubledhimoverandover.Yes,itwasveryimportantforhimtomeetRupinder.HestartedpackingforAmritsar.Sumatienteredhisbedroomandsawthathewasplanningtoleave.Tears
glistenedinhereyes,‘Beta,whereareyougoing?Don’tlistentoanyone.Satishdoesn’tknowanything.Wehavebuiltthiscompanywithloveandhardwork,andwedidourbestforNeeruandyouevenwhentherewasnomoney.Welovebothofyou.Appa’swillshouldbeexecutedthewayitiswritten.Iaminagreementwithhisdecision.’‘That’snotwhatIcareabout,Amma.Youareimportanttomebut,rightnow,
ImustgotoAmritsarandfindRupinder.Iwanttomeether.’
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Sumatiwassilentforafewminutes.Thenshecriedout,‘Doyoumeantosaythatyouwanttogotoyourrealmother?Areyouabandoningme,Munna?’‘No,Amma,I’mnot.Iamjustcuriousabouther.Isn’titnatural?Ipromise
youthatI’llmeetheronlyonce.’Sumatididnotreply.‘Ineedheraddress,Amma.’‘Ihaven’thadanycontactwithherovertheyearsbutIrememberwhatshe
hadtoldme.HerfamilyhadopenedacornergrocerystoreinalargechowkneartheMatatemple.Herhusband’snamewasSurinderandhisbrotherwasParminder.’Withashakyvoicesheadded,‘Rupinderkeptyouforninemonthsinsideofher.IknowthatIhaven’tdonethat,butIloveyouasmuchasshedid.She’safinelady,Munna.Don’tgetupsetwithher.Shewassimplyavictimofherunfortunatecircumstances.Ihopeyouwillforgiveher.’‘Iwill,’saidMukesh.Earlynextmorning,heflewtoAmritsarviaDelhi.Forthefirsttimesincehe
couldremember,hewastravellingineconomyclass.He’dalwaysthoughtofDelhiasIndia’scapitalbutnowitcarriedmuchmoresignificanceforhim.Itwastheplacewherehisfatherhadstartedhisbusiness.ItwasMukesh’sfirstvisittoAmritsarandhecheckedinatareasonably
pricedhotel.Usually,hisfather’sofficetookcareofhisitinerarybuthewantedtotakecareofthingsonhisownthistime.Justbeforenoon,hewenttotheGoldenTempleandprayedthere,‘PleaseWaheGuru,letmefindpeaceduringmyjourneyhere.’Itwasthebeginningofsummerandtheweatherwasnice,butMukeshdidnot
evennotice.Hewaswonderingwhereheshouldstarthissearch.DecadeshadpassedsinceSumatiandRupinderhadparted.HetookanautorickshawandgotoffneartheMataLalDevitemple.Afterhehadwalkedaroundforafewminutes,hesawachowkwithaliquorshopatonecorner,buttherewasnogrocerystoreinsight.Heenteredtheshopandfoundamiddle-agedmansittinginside.Assoonasheentered,themanstoodupandasked,‘Whatdoyouwant—rum,gin,whiskyorbeer?’‘No,Idon’twantanything.Idon’teatmeatordrinkalcohol.’Headded,
‘Actually,Ineedinformation.Twobrothers,ParminderandSurinderfromJalna,
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Maharashtra,openedagrocerystorearoundthisarea.Haveyouheardofthem?Oraretheytheownersofthisshop?’‘No,beta,theownerofthisshopisHarpreetSingh—ayoung,intelligent,
college-educatedsardarfromDelhi.I’mthestoremanagerhere.Ifyoureallywantmoredetailsaboutthisarea,Ihaveanunclewholivesnearby.He’sbeenhereforever.Icanphonehimandyoucangoandtalktohim,orIcanaskhimtocomehere.’‘No,pleasedon’tinconveniencehim.Iwillgotohishouse.’Themanshoutedouttohiserrandboyandsaid,‘TakeBabujitoUncle’s
houseandtellhimthatIhavesentthisyoungman.’Mukeshfollowedtheboytoahousefivelanesaway.Anoldsardarwassitting
onagreencharpoyintheverandaandwatchingaserialontelevision.Assoonastheerrandboytoldtheoldmanabouttheunexpectedguest,thesardarcalledouttohisdaughter-in-law,‘Bringussomethingtoeat.’Mukeshwaspolite,‘Thankyou,Sir,butI’vehadmybreakfastalready.’‘Youhavecometoasardar’shome.Howcanyouleavewithouteating
anything?It’llbeadisgraceonus.’‘Okay,Sir.’Mukeshsatdownonachairnearthecharpoyandaskedhim,‘Sir,
mayIaskhowlongyou’velivedaroundhere?’‘Fifty-oneyears,’hesaidproudly.‘Haveyoueverheardoftwobrothers,SurinderandParminder,whocame
fromJalna,Maharashtra?Theyranagrocerystorehere.’‘Yes,Irememberthem,butforallthewrongreasons.Bothofthemfrequently
drankandfoughtamongwitheachother.That’swhytheylosttheirshopwithinafewyears.Thelocationofthestorewassoexcellentthatanyonewithhalfabrainwouldhavemadetonsofmoney,butthesetwobuddhuandshort-temperedmenruinedtheirlivelihoodthemselves.’‘Whathappenedtotheirfamily?’Mukeshasked.‘First,theiroldmotherdiedofaheartattackrightaftertheshopwassold.
ThenSurinderdiedofcirrhosis,andParminderandhiswifedecidedtosettledowninthewife’svillagesomewhere.’‘WhataboutSurinder?Didhehaveafamilyofhisown?’Mukeshonly
wantedtoknowaboutRupinder.
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‘Yes,yes,hehadawife.Butwhatwashername?’Theoldmanpaused,‘Well,Ican’trecollectrightnow.Letmeaskmywife.Shewasoneofhergoodfriends.’Hecalledouttohiswife,‘Suniyeji,whatwasSurinder’swife’sname?’Theoldwomancameoutlimpingandcarryingbreakfastforthetwomen,
‘Whyareyoutalkingaboutthatman?TherascalruinedRupinder’slife.’Mukesh’sheartstopped.Shecameandsatnexttoherhusbandonthecharpoy.SheaskedMukesh
sharply,‘Whoareyou?Whydoyouwanttoknowaboutthatfamily?’‘I’majournalistfromLondonbutmyhometownisBangalore.Mymother
wasRupinder’sfriendwhentheywereyounger.IcametoAmritsarforsomeworkandsheaskedmetopaymyrespectstoher.’‘PoorRupinder,’saidtheoldladyandsighed.‘Whydoyousaythat?’Mukeshwasalarmed.‘Whathappened?’‘Rupinderwastreatedlikeaservantinthatfamily.Hermother-in-lawwas
horribleandherhusbandill-treatedhertillthedayhedied.Whentheirshopclosed,Parminder’ssmartwifetookherhusbandandthemoneyfromthesaletoherparents’village.NothingremainedwithRupinder.Shehadnomoneyandnohusband.Butdespiteherunhappylife,Iwasamazedatherunshakeablefaithinthedivine.ShewenttoHarmandirSahibwithoutfail,andeachyear,shefedtwoorphansonBuddhaPurnima.’‘Howdoyouknowallthis?’‘BecauseIamherfriend.I’vebeenwithhertothemandirmanytimes.Last
year,shecamebackhereonBuddhaPurnima.’‘Whereisshenow?’Mukeshasked.‘Itoldherthatshecouldlivewithusandhelpusinthekitchen,butshedidn’t
agree.Shesaidthatitwouldaffectourfriendship.SoIgotherajobasacookinmycousinGurpreet’shouse.He’sanicemanandstaysaroundfortykilometresfromhere.SinceI’vetoldhimaboutherbackground,helooksafterherwellandiskindtoher,butshealsoworkssincerelyinhishouse.’Mukeshfellsilent.Hewassadthathismotherworkedasacookinsomeone’s
home.Theoldladysaid,‘Beta,youhaven’ttouchedyourfoodatall!Pleaseeatsomething.’‘MayIhaveGurpreet’saddress?’heaskedinstead.
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‘Sure,beta.I’lleventellhimthatyouaregoingtovisithim.’Mukeshquicklygulpeddownthelassiandgobbledupaparathabefore
headingouttoGurpreet’shomeinataxi.Hewasdisillusioned.HethoughtthathisparentswouldhavedonewellinPunjabandhadmorechildrenafterhewasgone.Afterall,hewastheonewhowasthoughttobringbadlucktothefamily.Hewasincrediblydejectedaboutthestateofhismother.Mukeshlookedoutthroughthewindow.Dhabas,chickenshops,liquorstores,
healthycropsandstoutsardarsjokingaroundpassedbyinahaze.Hesawtrucksstandingateverycornerandwomenworkinginthefields.Hismindbarelyrecordedanything.Inanyothersituation,hewouldhavewantedtoseemoreofPunjab’scultureandlearnaboutitsagriculturalindustry.Buthewasinnomoodtoday.Thesunwasbrightandtheworldseemedtogoonasusual.HehadnoproblemfindingGurpreet’saddressinthesmallvillage.Theman
wasrichandeverybodyknewwherehelived.Thevillagerspointedhimtoahouselocatedbetweenacresoffields,wherehesawcowsgrazing.Hestoppedthetaxiandwalkedtothehouse.Hecouldhearthewaterflowingthroughthecanals.Asheapproachedthebuilding,herealizedthattherewere,infact,twoseparatehousesthatsharedanopenkitcheninthecentre.Atractor,acar,amotorcycleandabicyclewereparkedononesideofthehouseandaPunjabiTVchannelwasplayingatahighvolume.Thecourtyardhadcharpoyslaidoutunderthecoolshadeofaneemtree.Whenheentered,amiddle-agedmanmethimwithawarmsmile,‘Iam
Gurpreet.Chachitoldmethatyouwouldbecomingheretoday.Beta,Rupinderislikeamasitome.Pleasefeelcomfortableandthinkofthishouseasyourown.’Mukeshsmiledbackandnodded.Themandirectedhimtositdownandayoungboyabruptlyappearedwitha
bigglassoflassifortheguest.MukeshnoticedthatGurpreetwasdressedinhisfinestclothes,asifheweregoingtoawedding.‘Beta,I’mreallysorrybutIhavetoattendanimportantfunction,’said
Gurpreet.‘MyfamilyhasalreadyleftforthevenueandImustleaveimmediatelytoo,butwe’llbebackintheevening.Pleasestaywithusforatleastaweekandrelaxhere.I’lltakeyoutothegurdwaratomorrow.’
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Mukeshfeltawkward.Hewasusedtohisparents’generosity,butthiswastoomuch.Hestooduptosaygoodbyetohishost,thensatdownonthecharpoyagainafterGurpreethadleft.Astheminutestickedby,hefeltanxious.Itwastimetomeethisbiological
mother.Whatshouldhecallher?Amma,MaajiorRupinder?Suddenly,heheardfootstepsandturnedaround.Hesawathin,oldladywalkingslowlytowardshim.Shewaswearinganordinarysalwar-kameezandherheadwascovered.Shesaidsoftly,‘Iheardthatyouwanttoseeme,butIdon’tknowwhoyouare.WhatshouldIcookforyou,beta?’Forafewseconds,Mukeshdidnotknowwhattosay.Heheldbackhistears
andsaidtoher,‘Please,sitdown.’Shesatontheotherendofthecharpoyandasked,‘What’syourname?And
wheredoyoucomefrom?’MukeshwasfamiliarwithHindibecauseofhisflairforlanguages.Hesaid,‘I
heardthatyoulivedinJalnaalong,longtimeago.AndyouhadasouthIndianfriendcalledSumati.Doyourememberher?’Rupinderwastakenaback.‘Icanneverforgether,’shereplied.‘I’mherson.’Hepaused.‘Munna.’Shestaredathimincredulously.‘I’vecometoseeyou.’‘Ican’tbelieveit.’‘Myfatherdiedtwoweeksago.That’swhenIlearntthatIwasnotmy
parents’biologicalson.Mymothernevertoldme,maybebecauseshehadpromisedyou.’Rupinderlookedathim.HerlittleMunnawastallandhealthynow.Shewas
happybutdidnotsayanything.Mukeshsaid,‘Iwanttoaskyousomething.’‘Whatisit,beta?’‘Parentsusuallydon’tgivetheirchildrenawayunlessitisaquestionoflife
anddeath.Eventhepoorestofthepoorsuchasbeggarswanttokeeptheirchildren.Thenwhydidyougivemeawaysoeasily?Didn’tmyfatherresistyourdecision?Howcouldyoubesohard-heartedthatyounevercametoseeme?’‘WhatdidSumatitellyou?’Rupinderbarelygotthewordsout.
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‘Ammasaidthatyouwereinaverydifficultsituationandthatyoureallydidn’thaveachoice.Youroptionsweretoleavemeinavillagewithyourparentsorinanorphanagerunbyagurdwara.’Shechangedthesubject,‘WhatdoesSumaticallyou?’‘Munna.EverybodyathomecallsmeMunna.’Rupinderclosedhereyesandtookadeepbreath,‘EvenIusedtocallyou
Munna.’Mukeshcouldnotcontrolhimself,‘JustbecauseIhadadarkpatchonmyfoot
andyourmother-in-lawfeltthatitwasabadomen,howcouldyourejectmewithoutasecondthought?Didn’tmyfathereverwanttoseehischildagain?’‘Beta,forseveralyears,Irememberedyoueverysingleday.Iwantedtoleave
everythingandcometoseeyou.Andyet,Icouldn’tdoanything.’‘Why?Whydidn’tyouconvincemyfather?’Rupinderbowedherheadandrefusedtoanswerhim.Mukeshrepeatedthe
question.Finally,sheliftedherheadandsaid,‘Munna,youaremyson.Youareapartofmyheart,eventoday.That’sthetruth.Butyourfatherdidn’tfeelthesamewayandsoitbecameeasyforhimtoleaveyou.’Suddenly,Mukeshgraspedwhatshewassaying.Hecollapsedonthecharpoy.‘Thenwhoismyfather?’
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8
TheInnocenceofLove
Rupinderwasayoungandstronggirlfromaverypoorfamily.Herparentsandbrotherwerelabourersinazamindar’shouse.Whenevertherewasaweddingorlangarinthevillage,shewasalwaysinvitedbecauseshewashelpfulandfriendly.Manysuitorswantedtomarryher,butwhenSurinder’sfamilycamefromJalnaandproposedmarriagetoher,itwasamatterofgreatcelebrationforherfamily.Surinderwashandsomeandhisfamilyappearedtobeveryrich.Immediately,herfatheragreedtothematchandtheweddingwasconductedinJalna.RupinderfeltsadaboutleavingherbeautifulvillageinPunjabandcriedbitterly.WhenshereachedJalna,sherealizedinafewdaysthatherlifetherewasno
differentfromtheoneshehadleftbehind.Inreality,herhusband’sfamilywasnotrichatallandshehadtoworkallthetimeintheirhome—almostlikeanunpaidmaid.Hermother-in-lawdominatedherandSurinderjustwatchedfromthesidelines.Soon,shebecameverylonely.Atleastshehadhadfreedominhervillagebackhome.Here,shehadlosteventhat.Shemissedthefreshair,hershe-buffalo,andherrelativesandfriends.Herattemptstobecomepregnantovertwoyearsfailedmiserablyandhermother-in-lawtauntedheroften.Sheheldherresponsiblefornotproducingherson’sheir.Then,unexpectedly,Rupinderbecamepregnantandstartedfallingsickveryoften.Insteadofhelpingoutaroundthehouse,shebecameaburdentothefamily.Oneday,hermother-in-lawsaidfirmly,‘Wecan’tlookafteryouoverhere.You’reonlygivingusmoreheadaches.Gotoyourparents’villageandcomebackafteryourdelivery.’Rupinderwenthappilybutshedidnotstayatherparents’home.Herfamily
wasdoingalittlebetterfinanciallyandherbrotherhadrentedoutafarm.Thefamilystayedthereandworkedtogetherinthefields,whichwerenexttoamangogrovemanagedbyawatchman.TheownerofthegrovelivedinBombay
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andvisitedhispropertyonlyonceayear.Oneday,Rupinder’spinkdupattathathadbeenlefttodryinthefieldsflewwiththewindandintothemangogrove.Whenshewenttheretolookforit,sherealizedthattherewasasmallguesthouseinsidethewallsofthegrove.Sheaskedthewatchman,‘Issomeonelivinghere?’Thewatchmannodded,‘ThereisayounggirlcalledNirmalaKumariwho’s
stayingheretemporarilybecauseofhersickness.ShehastuberculosisandhascomeherewithherattendantDulari.’Rupinderlovedtosocializeandmakefriends.Soshewalkeduptotheguest
houseandintroducedherselftoDulari,whowasamiddle-agedwomanbusywithherhouseholdchores.ButDulariwasawomanoffewwordsandtheybarelyhadaconversation.Twodayslater,RupinderwentthereagainandaskedDulariaboutNirmala.
DularichangedthesubjectandtoldherthatNirmalaneededtorestandthatshedidnotwanttomeetanyone.Afteraweek,RupindersawNirmalaforthefirsttime.Thesixteen-year-old
wassittingintheverandareadingabook.WhenRupinderapproachedthegirl,sheimmediatelyunderstoodwhyNirmaladidnotwanttomeetanyone.Sheinitiatedafriendlyconversationandthetwowomenstruckupaclosefriendshipwithinafewweeks.Oneday,NirmalacaughtholdofRupinder’shandandsaid,‘Pleasedon’ttell
anyoneaboutme.’Rupinderknewwhatshewastalkingabout.Nirmalawaspregnant—justlike
her—andthetwowomenwereexpectingtodeliverwithinamonthofeachother.Nirmaladidnotwantpeopleinthevillagetoknowaboutherconditionandthatwaswhyeveryonewastoldthatshewassufferingfromanillness.ShetoldRupinder,‘Myhusbandhasmademepregnantandleftme.I’llgivebirthtothebabyhereandgobacktomyvillage.’RupinderrealizedthatNirmalawasnottellingherthetruth,butshedidnot
pursuethematter.Twomonthswentby.Oneevening,Rupinderwentintolabour.Afteralong
andpainfulnight,shedeliveredastillbornbaby.Immediately,herparents-in-lawwereinformedaboutthetragedy.
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Rupinderwasovercomewithsorrow.Sheknewthatwhenshewentbacktoherhusband,shewouldhavetohearhermother-in-law’ssarcasticcommentsinadditiontodealingwiththelossofherbabyandbeingoverworked.Surinderhadneverbeenacompanionorshownheranyformofkindness.Hedidnotcareaboutheratall.Whenshehadbecomepregnantafteryearsofmarriage,shehaddreamtofababywhowouldchangeherlife—hewouldholdherhandandshareherdifficultieswhenhegrewup.Maybehe’dbewithherinoldagetoo.Butherdreamshadbeenshatteredintotinylittlepieces;sherefusedtoeatordrinkandcriedallthetime.Nirmalabecameconcernedaboutherhealth.Todistractherfriend,she
decidedtoshareherstorywithRupinder.ShesaidthatherfatherwasChoudharyCharanSingh,whowasabig
zamindarandthemostpowerfulmaninhisvillage.Hewasalarge-heartedbutashort-temperedmanandviewedtheworldinblackandwhite.Peoplewereeitherhisfriendsorhisenemies.Hehadtwostepbrotherswholoathedhimandoftentauntedhim,‘What’stheuseofallyourlandandmoneyifthereisnomaleheirtosucceedyou?’ThecommentalwaysirkedChoudhary.Heonlyhadadaughterwhilehis
stepbrothershadtwosonseach.Choudharythoughtaboutitanddecidedtomarryhisdaughterintoaninfluentialfamily.Thenhisstepbrotherswouldnotbeabletopassanymorecomments.Hisgoodfriend,LalMohan,wasazamindarinanearbyvillage.IfNirmala
marriedLalMohan’sson,BrijMohan,thenthatwouldmaketheirpositionstrongerinboththeirvillagesandtheywouldhaveabetterpoliticalfuturetogether.ChoudharyhadheardthatBrijMohanwassoftonwomenandliquorbutthisdidnotbotherhim.Itwascommonintheirculture,afterall.Sohepromisedhisfriendthatwhenthetimecame,BrijMohanwouldbecomehisson-in-law.LalMohanwashappywiththealliance.NotonlywasNirmalaagood-lookinggirl,buthissonwouldalsogetallthevotesfromChoudhary’svillage.Meanwhile,Nirmalawasblissfullyunawareofherfather’sfutureplansand
startedstudyingathomebyherselfduetotheabsenceofahighschoolinthevillage.Diligently,sheworkeddayandnightinpreparationforhertenthclassexams.Timepassedandseasonschanged.Soon,itwaswinter.
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Oneday,ayoungandhandsomecollegestudentcametostudytheoldmonumentsontheoutskirtsofthevillageforahistoryproject,andrentedoutaroom.Whenhewenttobuysomebananas,theshopkeepertoldhim,‘Whydon’tyougotoChoudhary’shouseandtalktohim?He’lldefinitelyassistyouifyouneedhelpwiththeproject.’WhentheyoungmanmetChoudharyCharanSingh,hewasscared.The
zamindarwasatall,heftymanwithabigmoustacheandaperpetualscowlonhisface.Heaskedtheboyinanauthoritativevoice,‘Whoareyou?’‘IamAnandandI’vecometoyourvillageforsixmonthstoworkonahistory
projectformycollege.I’llbegratefulifyouwouldbekindenoughtointroducemetosomebodywhocantakemearoundthevillageortheareasnearbybasedonmyproject’srequirements.’‘Whereareyoustayingrightnow?’‘I’mstayinginamusafirkhananeartheHanumantemple.’Choudharytookpityontheyoungboyandsaid,‘Well,youcanstayinmy
outhousefromtonight.Don’tworryaboutfood.We’llmakesurethatyougetfoodeveryday.’AnandwassurprisedbyChoudhary’sgenerosityandthankedhimprofusely.
Soon,hesettledintoaroutine.Helefttheouthouseeverymorningafterbreakfastandcamebackintheeveningintimefordinner.Oneday,hesawagirlapplyingmehendionherhandinthebackyard.She
lookedlikeshewasafewyearsyoungerthanhim.Therewassomethingsoattractiveaboutherthathecouldnotstopstaring.Whenshesawhimlookingather,shewasstartledandraninsidethehouse,leavingthemehendibehind.Anandwentclosertowhereshehadbeensittingandsawatenth-gradeEnglishtextbooknexttothebowlofmehendi.Herealizedthatshemustbethezamindar’sdaughter.Intheevening,AnandwentandmetChoudhary.Hetoldhim,‘Sir,Iknow
Englishverywell.Ifyou’dlike,Iamavailabletoteachthelanguagetoanyonewhomightbeinterested.’Choudharyreplied,‘Wedon’thaveagoodEnglishteacherinthisvillage.In
fact,thereisnohighschoolhereeither.Somydaughter,whoisinthetenthgrade,isstudyingonherown.Whydon’tyouteachherforaslongasyouarehere?’
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Anandnoddedhappily.HestartedteachingNirmalatwiceaweek.Atfirst,shewasshyandawkward
but,slowly,theybecamefriends.Still,shecompletelyignoredhimwhenChoudharywasathome,andmaintainedadistance.Oneday,Anandslippedduringoneofhismonumentexpeditionsandsprained
hisankle.WhenChoudharydidnotseehimforthreedays,heaskedNirmala,‘WhereisAnandthesedays?’‘Idon’tknow,’shesaid.Choudharyorderedthecook,‘Gorightnowandfindoutwhat’shappenedto
theboy.’HeturnedtoNirmalaandsaid,‘Iwouldhaveaskedyourmothertodoitbutshe’snotyetbackfromherpilgrimage.Ihopethattheboyhaseatensomethinginthelastfewdays.Idon’twantanybodytogohungryinmyhouse.’WhenChoudharylearntthatAnandcouldnotwalkforafewdays,hetoldhis
daughter,‘Ensurethathegetsallhismealsinhisroom.’NirmalanoddedanddiligentlybroughtfoodforAnandthreetimesaday.
Duringonesuchvisitatlunch,AnandtouchedNirmala’shandashetookthefoodtrayfromher.Atfirst,herhandshookalittle.Itfeltnewanddifferent,butshedidnotpushhimawayandaccepteditshyly.Anandunderstoodthatshelikedhimtooandtheystartedspendingalotoftimetogetherafterthat.
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9
AJourneyContinued
Withinafewmonths,Nirmalaappearedforherexamsandpassedwithflyingcolours.ChoudharythankedAnandandgavehimanexpensivegiftbeforeheleftthevillageandwentbacktothecity.Thatsamemonth,Nirmalaskippedherperiodanddidnotevennotice.Soon,shestartedfeelingnauseous;shethoughtthatitwasindigestion.Afterthreemonths,shefinallyrealizedwhatwaswrongwithher.Sherecalledthetworiflesdecoratingthefamilyroomandbecamefrightenedofwhatherfatherwouldsayanddo.Whatifhewantedtokillher?ShehadnoideathatherrelationshipwithAnandcouldresultinapregnancy!Nirmaladidnothavethecouragetotellhermother,nordidshehaveany
friendswhocouldkeephersecret.ButshetrustedDulari,themaidinthehouse.Somehow,shetoldDularithetruth,whointurnconveyedthebadnewstohermother.Atfirsthermotherslappedandcursedher,beforeshesatdownandburstoutcrying.Thatsameevening,Dularibroughtaherbalmedicinefromthelocaldoctortoinduceanabortion,butitdidnothelp.Now,Nirmala’smotherhadnochoicebuttotellherhusband.Choudharywas
lividandbeathisdaughtermercilessly.Shehadbroughtshameuponthefamilyandhewantedtomurderhersincebutshewashisonlychild,eventuallycommonsenseprevailed.Moreover,ifhekilledher,hishatefulstepbrothersandtheirchildrenwouldgethispropertyandmoney.HewasveryupsetwithhiswifeforleavingtheirdaughterunsupervisedwithAnand.Choudharythoughtabouttheproblemforafewdaysandcameupwithaplan.
HedidnotwantNirmalatomarrythecityboy;Anandwasfromadifferentcommunityandbelongedtoapoorfamily.SoChoudharydecidedthathewouldgivehisdaughter’sbabyawayandthengethermarriedtoLalMohan’sson,asplanned.
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ButNirmalawasalreadystartingtoshow.Choudharydidnotwantanybodytoseeherorknowabouttheillegitimatechild.Hedecidedthatitwastimetosendhersomewherefarawayforthedelivery;shecouldcomebackafterleavingthebabythere.Afterafewdayshetoldhiswife,‘Ihavemadeallthearrangements.Mycousinhasanisolatedfarmhousearoundtwohundredkilometresfromhere,buthelivesinBombay.I’vetalkedtohimandtoldhimthatNirmalaisunwellandneedsachange.SoIwillsendhertherewithDulari,butyouwillstayherewithme.Otherwise,peoplemaystartdoubtingourstory.PleasetellDulariaboutmyinstructions.Idon’tcareifNirmalagivesbirthtoaboyoragirl.Thechildshouldbegivenawayorleftthere.Nirmalamustcomebackalone.’‘But...’‘Letmefinish.ItisDulari’sjobtogetridofthebaby.Wewillpayher
handsomelyforhersilence.OnceNirmalaisback,I’llgethermarriedandwe’llhaveagrandwedding.’Threedayslater,ChoudharyandhiswifesentNirmalaandDularitothe
farmhouse.
*
WhenNirmalaendedherstory,Rupinderfeltgratefulforthelifeshehad.Nirmalasaidsadly,‘Atleastyouhavealifeahead.Butmyfutureisnotmine
atall.HowamIgoingtojustthrowmychildaway?AndifIdon’t,Iknowforcertainthatmyfatherwillkillbothofus.He’saverypowerfulman.There’snoescapeforme.’‘Butmylifeisadeserttoo.Mybabywassupposedtobemyoasis.Hewasthe
onewhowouldhavebroughthappinessintomylife,’Rupindercountered.Thatsameevening,herthoughtsturnedtowardsNirmala,‘She’sgoingto
returntothevillageaftershegivesbirth,butwhere’sshegoingtoleaveherbaby?’Suddenly,athoughtstruckRupinderandshewalkedovertoNirmala’shouse.Luckily,itwasNirmalaherselfwhoopenedthemaindoor.Rupinderblurted
out,‘Willyougivemeyourbaby?Itwillgivemesomeonetolivefor.IpromiseyouthatIwilllookafterhimverywell.’Nirmalawassotakenbysurprisethatshesteppedbackandlostherfooting.
Rupinderrushedinsidetohelphertothenearestchair.
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Afewhourslater,Nirmala’slabourpainsbegan.Betweenherpainfulcontractions,sheremovedthegoldchainfromaroundherneckandgaveittoRupinder.Shesaid,‘Iknowthatyou’lllovemybabywithallyourheart.ThischainisallthatI’vebroughtherewithme,Rupinder.Pleasekeepitandgiveittomybaby.Promisemethatyou’lltakethissecrettoyourgrave.’‘Iwill.Iwon’ttellanyone—noteventhebaby,’promisedRupinder.Ninelonghourslater,Nirmaladeliveredahealthybabyboyintheweehours
ofthemorning.Exhausted,sheheldthebabytightlyandthenfellasleep.Dulariwonderedwhattheyshoulddonext.Rupindersuggested,‘Leavethebabyonthestepsofthetemplearoundseven
inthemorning.I’llpretendthatIwenttheretoprayandfoundthebaby.’DularinoddedwordlesslyandRupinderwenthome.Earlyinthemorning,Nirmalasawherbabyboyforthelasttime.Shecried
andtouchedhisfeet,‘Beta,pleaseforgiveme.Ididn’tknowhowachildwasbornandIbroughtyouintothisworldinmyignorance.Idon’tknowwhatyourfutureholds,butIcan’tjustleaveyousomewheretodieofhungerorcold.Rupinderisanicewoman.Attheveryleast,she’llensureyoursurvivalandyouwon’tgrowupasanillegitimatechild.IpraytoGodthatnowomangetspunishedthewaythatI’mgettingpunishednow.’SheclosedhereyesandgavethebabytoDulari,‘TakehimbeforeIchange
mymind.’Sheadded,‘Packeverythingquickly.We’regoingbackhomeinafewhours.’Asperplan,Rupinderwenttothetempleatseven.Acrowdhadalready
gatheredaroundtheabandonedbabyandDulariwaskeenlyobservingthedramafromadistance.Somebodyasked,‘Whohasleftthisbabyhere?’Peopleshruggedtheirshoulders.‘Whichcommunityishefrom?’‘Hasawomaninthevillagedeliveredrecently?’‘Isthebabyfromanothertown?’Nobodyknewanything.Finally,anoldmansaid,‘Iwashereoutsidethe
templelastnightandsawacouplecomeinacar,butitwastoodarktoseeanythingelse.Later,Itrippedonthestepsandthoughtthatsomethingwasthere,butIdidn’tbothertocheck.’
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‘Well,wecan’tjustleavethebabyhere.Who’swillingtotakecareofhimtemporarily?’amanasked.Sensingheropportunity,Rupindersaidsadly,‘Mybabydiedafewdaysago
andIdon’tknowwhattodowithmyself.Ifyouallowme,Iwouldliketolookafterthebaby.I’llstayhereforatleastamonthandwaitforsomeonetoclaimhim.Ifnobodyturnsup,thenI’lladoptthebabyandtakehimwithmetomyhusband’shome.’Itwasagoodsolutionandeveryonenoddedinapproval.Rupinderpickedupthenewbornandhuggedhim.Shesighedwithrelief,
‘Munna,youaresafe!’Immediately,milkstartedfillingherbreastsandsheranhometofeedthe
baby.Rupinderwaitedforamonthbutasanticipated,nobodycameforwardto
claimMunna.Afteranotherweek,shewentbacktoJalna.NobodycametopickherupfromtherailwaystationbecauseSurinder’sfamilywasunhappythatshewasbringingbackanorphanwithher.Conveniently,hermother-in-lawblamedMunna’sdarkpatchforthelossinthefamily’sbusinessandstartedtreatinghimbadly.Notsurprisingly,Surinderalsofeltthatthechildshouldbesentbacktowherehecamefromorleftinagurdwaraorphanage.LeftwithnosuitablealternativetoensureabetterfutureforMunna,RupindergavehimtoSumati.
*
Mukeshfeltlikehewasinanightmare.Hehadneverevenconsideredthepossibilitythathemightbeanillegitimatechild.NowheunderstoodwhySurindergavehimupsoeasily,whynobodycametoseehimoreverinquiredabouthim.ButRupinderhadsavedhimfrombeingachildleftinagarbagecan,raisedonthestreets.ShehadbroughthimtoJalnaandtakencareofhimforaslongasshecould.Rupinderlookedathimwithlove,‘Munna,Godhaspunishedmeformysins.
Iwasneverabletogetpregnantafterthatonetime.SometimesIfeltthatImadeabigmistakeinlettingyougo.Ishouldhavekeptyouwithme.ButifIhaddonethat,youwouldhavebeenacoolieoraworkerinsomebody’shousetoday.Iwouldn’thavebeenabletodowhatSumatihasdoneforyou.HowdoIthankherfortakingcareofyousowell?’
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Mukeshwasspeechless.Itwasveryhardforhimtoabsorbthathewasbornoutofwedlockandsimplyabandoned,thathewasanunwelcomeguesttothisworld.‘WhatamIsupposedtodonow?WhatkindofajourneyhaveIbeenon—bornsomewhereandbroughtupassomeoneelse?WhoamI—aHindi-speakingJat,aPunjabi-speakingsardaroraKannada-speakingsouthIndian?OrwillNirmalatellmeanotherstory?’Rupinderwentinsidethehousetobringfoodforhim.Whenshecameback,
heasked,‘WhereisNirmalaKumarinow?Doyouhaveheraddress?’‘Idon’tknow.ButherhusbandBrijMohanisaministerinDelhi.I’veseen
themontelevisionsometimes,butIdon’thaveanycontactwithher.’Mukeshdidnotaskherformoreinformation.HewasunhappyseeingRupinder’scondition.Hismothershouldnotbe
workinginheroldage.Theleasthecoulddowastomakehercomfortableinthisphaseofherlife.HetoldRupinder,‘I’llsendyoumoneyeverymonthsothatyoudon’thavetocookforsomeoneelse.Pleasedon’tworry.ThemoneyIwillsendismyhard-earnedmoneyfromLondon.I’llalsotalktoGurpreetandbuyasmallhouseinAmritsarsothatyoucanvisitthegurdwaraeveryday.Tellme,doyoustillfeedorphansonBuddhaPurnima?’‘Yes,beta,ofcourse.Youwerebornonthatday.That’swhyIfeedpeoplein
whatevercapacityIcan.’Shepaused.‘Ididn’tlookafteryouwiththeexpectationofyouhelpingmeinmyoldage.WaheGuruhasbeenkindandIstillhavesomestrengthleft.Icanworkandprovideformyself.Idon’tneedcharity,Munna.’‘Iamnothelpingyououtofcharity.Itisason’sdutytocareforhismother.
YoulookedaftermeandI’msogladthatyoudid.’Mukeshtouchedherfeet,‘PleaseblessmesothatImayreachtheendofthis
journeyandfindmyself.’Rupindersmiledandplacedherhandonhishead.
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10
TheFinalStop
FromtheAmritsarrailwaystation,Mukeshphonedhiswife.‘Vasanthi,IneedyourhelpbutIdon’thavemuchtimetotalkrightnow.Howareyou?’‘I’mallright.Whatdoyouneed?’sheaskedimmediately.‘HowmuchmoneydoIhaveinmybankaccountthere?’‘Why?’Hewasbrief,‘I’lltellyoulater.’Vasanthireplied,‘Ithinkit’sapproximatelyonecrorerupees.’‘Thethingis...Iwanttowriteachequeforsixtylakhstosomeone,’hetold
her.‘Who?’sheaskedgently.‘Ihavetorepayadebt,Vasanthi.Sorry,Ihavetogonow.I’llcallyoulater.’Beforeshecouldaskanymorequestions,hesaidgoodbyeandhungup.Asthetrainstarteditsjourney,Mukeshfeltlikethewobblybogieshimself.
TheverythoughtofNirmalaupsethim.Howcouldshehavebeensoirresponsible?Shehadgonebacktoherlifeafterdeliveringababy,andhadnotcaredenoughtofindouthowhersonwas.Hefeltcheated.Ashethoughtabouthermoreandmore,herecollectedhistelevision
documentaryaboutunwedmothersinIndia.TheprogrammehadbeenairedonBBCafewyearsago.Hehimselfhadconcludedthatlackofsexeducationandjobopportunities,andthestrictnormsofsocietymadethelifeofanunwedmotherandherchildverydifficultinIndia.Buthe’dneverimaginedinhiswildestdreamsthathehimselfwasoneofthechildrenbornofunwedmothers.MukeshfinallyunderstoodNirmala’spredicamentandcalmeddownsomewhat.Still,hewassad.Hedidnotknowwhyhewantedtomeethernowbutheknewthathehadto.
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AfterreachingDelhi,MukeshsurfedtheInternetforinformation.Withinhalfanhour,helearnedthatBrijMohanwastheministerforwomenandchilddevelopment.HewasmarriedtoNirmalaKumariandhadtwosons,whowerebothinpolitics.Oneofhissonshadbeencaughtdrinkinganddrivingandtheotherhadbeenaccusedofacceptingbribesonbehalfofhisfather.Finally,Mukeshfoundwhathewaslookingfor—BrijMohan’sresidencewasonPrithvirajRoadinsouthDelhi.Mukeshwaseasilyabletotracehisaddressandofficephonenumbersonline,butknewthathewouldnotbeallowedtomeettheministerwithoutanappointment.Theonlywaytomeethimwasthroughhismediacredentials.HewouldhavetousehisBBCbackgroundtogainentryintoBrijMohan’sresidence.MukeshdialledBrijMohan’ssecretary’scellphonenumber.Whenthe
secretaryanswered,Mukeshintroducedhimself,‘Hello,IamMukeshRao.MayIhaveameetingwiththeminister,please?’‘No,he’sextremelybusy,’thesecretaryrefusedhisrequestwithoutasecond
thought.‘IworkforBBCandwanttointerviewtheminister’swifeforaTVseries.’Hastily,thesecretarychangedhistone,‘Ofcourse,pleasecomeandmeetthe
ministertomorrowat8a.m.’Thenextday,Mukeshreachedtheminister’ssprawlingbungalowontimebut
wasaskedtowaitinthevisitor’slounge,whichwasalreadyalmostfullofpeople.Theminister’sfamilywasjustwakingup.Whilewaiting,Mukeshobservedtheroomhewasin.Itwasdisorganizedandlavishlydecoratedwithpoortaste.Therewereplasticflowersinmultiplevasesintheroom.AjadeBuddhastatuethathadnotbeendustedformonthsstoodinacornerandapaintingofLakshmiadornedwitholdanddrygarlandswasdisplayednearit.Adozenservantsweremovinginandoutoftheroomservingtea,samosasandrasgullastothevisitors.Afteranhour,BrijMohancametothevisitors’loungefollowedbyhis
entouragewhowerecarryingpaanandfilesintheirhands.Themanwasstoutandshortanddressedinasafarisuitwithhisstomachbulgingout.Hiseyeswereswollenanditlookedlikehehadhadalatenight.Whentheysawhim,everybodystoppedtalkingandstoodup.Withoutlookingleftorright,Brij
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Mohanwalkedstraightintothenextroomthathadbeenconvertedtoalarge-sizedofficespace.Mukeshthought,‘HadNirmalakeptmewithher,myfatewouldhavebeento
becomeoneofhisentourageandcarrypaanandfilesforhim;oriftheministerhadtreatedmelikehisown,Iwouldhavebecomeanothersongettingintotroublewiththelaw.’Afteranotherhour,hewasinvitedintotheofficeroomtomeettheminister.
WhenBrijMohansawhisbusinesscard,heremarked,‘Ah!You’retheLondonboywhowantstotakeaninterview—notmine,butmywife’s.’‘Sir,thisparticularpieceisabouthowthewivesoffamousmenspendtheir
timesupportingtheirhusbandsandtheircareers.’‘MywifedoesnotspeakEnglishverywellandshe’sveryshytoo.Whydon’t
youaskmethequestionsandI’lltrytoanswerthemonherbehalf?’Mukeshwasapologetic,‘No,Sir,pleaseforgiveme.Itismydutytotalkto
thewomenandreporttheinterviews.I’llbehappytoconducttheinterviewinHindi.’‘Well,therereallyisn’tmuchthatshecantellyou.Mywifeisareligious
womanandspendsmostofhertimeinpujas.Atothertimes,sheaccompaniesmeforappropriateevents.’‘Thenitshouldn’ttakemuchtime,Sir.ButImusttalktoMa’am.’Theministershruggedhisshoulders,‘That’snoproblem,butpleaseremember
tosteerclearofcontroversialtopics.Also,sendusyourarticleforapprovalpriortopublishing.’‘Ofcourse,Sir,’Mukeshnodded.BrijMohancalledoneoftheservantsandtoldhim,‘Bachcha,takehimto
BibijiandtellherthatIhavesenthim.’Mukeshfollowedtheservanttothemainhouse.Heenteredalivingroomthat
hadleathercouches,ahugetelevisionsetandsomeexoticartefacts.AhugepictureofapopularSwamijiadornedoneofthewalls.FromwhereMukeshwasstanding,hecouldseeabeautifullydecoratedpujaroominside.Thesmellofincensewaseverywhere.TheservantaskedhimtositdownwhilehewentinsearchofMadam.Aminutelater,ayoungboyappearedwithtea,samosasandgulabjamuns,but
Mukeshrefusedthefoodwithawaveofhishand.Hecouldnoteatanything
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rightnow.HewasabouttomeetNirmalaandsuddenlyfeltnervous.Ayoungmanaroundhisagecameinwithacigaretteinhishandandwentintoanotherroom,withoutevenglancingathim.‘Maybehe’soneofNirmala’ssons,’Mukeshthought.Afterafewminutes,amiddle-agedwomandressedinasilksariwiththepallu
overherheadwalkedintotheroomandsatdowninfrontofhim.ShesaidinchasteHindi,‘Namaste,IamMrsNirmalaKumari,BrijMohanji’swife.Idon’tusuallygiveinterviews,butI’vecomebecauseyouinsisted.’Mukeshsimplywatchedher.Shewashismother—amotherwhohad
abandonedhimwithinhoursofhisbirth,amotherwhohadconceivedhimwithoutpreparingfortheconsequences,amotherwhothoughtthatteenagesexwasenjoyablebutdidnotknowthatitwouldresultinapregnancy,amotherwhowasdominatedbythemeninherlife.Heforgotwhathehadwantedtoaskher.Suddenly,therewasalotofnoiseoutsidethelivingroom.BrijMohanwas
leavingthehouse.Heandhisentouragegotintosixcarsanddroveawayaccompaniedbyanescort.Thevisitorspouredoutintothedrivewayandtheloungebecamevacant.Mukeshheardthesuddenroarofmotorcyclesandcarsdriftingfurtheraway,
followedbyaneeriequietness.AservantcameinandtoldNirmala,‘Bibiji,boththeChhoteSahebshaveleftwithBadeSaheb.They’llbebackatnight.’‘Fine,thenclearthediningtable,please.’Theservantwentawaytofollowherinstructions.Mukeshaskedher,‘Ma’am,whatareyourhobbies?’‘Ilovereading.Itismychildhoodpassion,’sheansweredsimply.‘Ifyoudon’tmind,mayIaskyouaboutyourchildhood?’Shenodded.‘Wheredidyougotoschool?’‘Inmyvillage.ButItookprivatetuitionsformytenthclassexaminations
sincetherewasnohighschoolthere.Aftermywedding,IcametoDelhiandcompletedacorrespondencecourse.’‘Whydidn’tyougotocollege?’Shesighed,‘Myparents-in-lawwereold-fashionedandpreferredthatIdidn’t
gooutsidethehometostudy.’
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Mukeshgathereduphiscourageandfinallyasked,‘Ma’am,doyourememberRupinder?’Suddenly,Nirmala’seyeswidenedandherfacebecamepale.Shewentoutof
theroomtocheckifanybodywaslistening.Thenshecamebackintothelivingroomandclosedthedoor.‘WhichRupinder?’sheasked.‘Thesamewomanwhohadafarmnexttoamangogrove.She’stheonewho
gavemethisgoldchain.’Mukeshtuggedonthechainaroundhisneck.Hesawthatshewastooscaredtorespond,andyetshecouldnotstopstaring
athim.Hereassuredher,‘Ma’am,pleasedon’tworry.Ihaven’tcomewithanypurposeexcepttomeetmyrealmother.’‘WasRupindertheonewhotoldyoueverything?’‘Yes,shedid,butonlyafterIforcedherto.’‘When?’shequestionedhim.‘Yesterday.’‘What?’Nirmalawaspuzzled.‘Didn’tyouknowaboutitalltheseyears?’‘No,Imetherforthefirsttimejustyesterday.’‘Oh.Ifyouweren’twithher,thenwherewereyou?’sheasked,concerned.‘Godworksinmysteriousways,Ma’am.HecametomeintheformofSumati
andKrishnaRao.Theybecamemyparentsandlovedmeastheirown,gavemethebesteducationthattheycouldandbuiltmyself-confidence.Ilostmyfathertwoweeksago.That’swhenIfoundoutthatRupinderhadgivenmetothemwhenIwasayearandahalfold.’Nirmalastartedcrying,‘Beta,youmustbeveryupsetwithme.Icouldn’tdo
anythingforyou...’‘Iamnotupsetwithyou,Ma’am.Iamthankfulthatyougavemeawayto
Rupinder,whogavemetoSumati.Mycuriositytoseemybiologicalmotherbroughtmehere.Ipromiseyouthatthissecretwillremainwithme.ButIalsowantedtoknowaboutmyfather.Willyoupleasetellmeabouthim?’Sheclosedhereyes,‘Idon’tknowwhereheisandInevertriedtolookfor
him.WhenIthinkofthepast,itfeelslikeanightmare.Yourfatherdidn’tevenknowthatIwaspregnant—andevenifhedid,myfatherwouldnothaveallowedustogetmarried.’Nirmalagazedathim.‘Areyoumarried?’sheasked.
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‘Yes,Iam.YoubroughtmeintothisworldandIamgrateful,butIknowthatyouwon’tliketokeepintouchwithme.’Beforeshecouldreply,hetouchedherfeet.Hefeltwetteardropsonhishair.
Shecaressedhisheadwithashakyhand.Hewasherpast—herfirstchild.Shechokedonherwords,‘Iamhappythatyou’vekeptthechainwithyoutillnow.That’stheonlywayIcanremainwithyouinthislife.IusedtothinkthatKaranandKuntionlyexistedintheMahabharata,butnowit’shappenedtome.Myblessingsandprayerswillalwaysbewithyou.’Whenhestoodupstraightinfrontofher,shefoldedherhandsandsaid,‘You
musthaveheardaboutmychildrenandtheirterriblereputation.Itisbettertoremainchildlessthanhavebadchildren.YouarefarsuperiortothemandI’mproud.Givingbirthissimplyabiologicaleventbutparentsmustmovemountainstoraiseachildtobeagoodhumanbeing.Isalutethemotherwhomadeyouwhatyouare.’Amomentlater,Mukeshturnedaroundandwalkedoutofthehouse.
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11
WhatMattersintheEnd
Mukeshneverwentinsearchofhisbiologicalfather.Therewasnoneedanymore.HemusthavesettledsomewhereinIndiawithhischildrentoo.TherewasnoplaceforMukeshinhisbiologicalparents’lives.NowMukeshrealizedhowmuchhemissedhisAmma.Sheknewhimand
lovedhimmorethananyoneelseintheworld.HewasnotaJatorasardar.HewasaBrahminfromsouthIndia.Heknewwhohewasnow.MukeshtookthenextflightfromDelhitoBangaloreandsleptlikeababyon
theplane.Ashewaswalkingoutoftheairport,hethoughtaboutVasanthi.Hehadstill
nottoldheranythingaboutwhathewasgoingthrough.Thiswassomethingthathadtobedoneinperson.Hehailedacabandcalledheronthewayhome.‘Ifyouarebetternow,canyoupleasecometoBangaloreandbewithme?Iwanttotalktoyouaboutsomethingimportant,’hesaid.Vasanthiwassurprised.Shesaid,‘OfcourseI’llcome.Infact,I’llbethereby
tomorrow.I’vebeenwaitingforyourcall.AmmatoldmeaboutyoursuddentriptoAmritsar.She’sbeencheckingonmeeverydaysincethentomakesurethatIwasdoingallright.Areyouokay?WhydidyouhavetogotoAmritsar?’Mukeshwasgentle,‘Vasanthi,I’llanswerallyourquestionsonceyouare
here,butdon’tworry.Iamfine.’Whenhereachedhisparents’houseintheafternoon,therewasaspringinhis
stepandasmileonhisface.Hewashome.HeenteredthehouseandhuggedSumatitightly—likehe’dneverlethergo.
Eversincehe’dturnedtwenty,hehadstartedtouchinghismother’sfeetwheneverhegreetedher,butasachild,hehadalwayshuggedher.Today,hehuggedherasifhewasthatsmallchildagainandsaid,‘Amma,inthelastfew
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days,Ihavelearntthatyouarethearchitectofmylife.IamyoursonandNeeruismysister.Nothingcanseparateusinthislifetime.’Sumatiwassurprised.Shekissedhisheadlikesheusedtodowhenhewas
younger.Hedeclared,‘I’mhungry,Amma.Givemesomethingtoeat.’Shekissedhimagainandwenttothekitchentomakericeandrasam.She
knewthathelovedriceandrasam.Thirtyminuteslater,Neerajaalsojoinedthemintimeforthemeal.Sumatiaskedherson,‘Munna,whatdidRupindersaytoyou?’Heansweredbetweenmouthfulsoffood,‘Vasanthiwillbehereinthe
morningtomorrow.I’lltellallofyouthewholestoryonceandforall,Amma.’Hismotherruffledhishairandnodded.Halfanhourlater,hewenttohisbedroomandfellasleepatonce.
*
AfterVasanthireachedearlythenextmorning,Mukeshdescribedhisentiretriptohismother,sisterandwife.Sumatiwasspeechless—sheherselfhadnotknownthathewasNirmala’sson.Intheend,theyallagreedthatthesecretwouldstaywiththefourofthem.Afewhourslater,MukeshandVasanthifoundthemselvesalone.Shehadnot
saidmuchtohimsinceshehadlearntthetruthinthemorning.Mukeshknewthatsheneededsometimeandtoldher,‘Vasanthi,youwere
marriedtomethinkingthatIbelongedtoyourreligionandcommunity.Ireallydon’tknowwhatyouthinkofmerightnow.Ifyoustillwanttobewithme,I’llbetheluckiestguyonearth.Butifyouthinkthatitistoomuchforyoutohandle,I’llbackoffandrespectyourwishesonwhatyouwanttodonext.Iwon’tfightyou.’Quietly,hewalkedoutoftheroom.Vasanthisatwithoutmoving.Afewminutespassedandshetriedtogether
thoughtstogether.Mukeshwasagreathusband.Heencouragedhertolearnnewthings,lovedherunconditionallyandconstantlytriedtomakeherhappy.Itdidn’tmatterwhatcommunityhebelongedto.Itmaymakeadifferencetoherfather,butnottoher.
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Shestoodupandwenttosearchforhim.Shefoundhimstandingoutsideonthebalconygazingatthesky.Silently,shecameupfrombehind,touchedhisshoulderandputanarmaroundhiswaist.‘Youmaybeanybody’ssonbutyou’llalwaysbemyhusband,’shesaid.
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Acknowledgements
Anaffectionatethankyoutomytrustededitor,ShrutkeertiKhurana,forthewonderfulworkandlate-nightsessionsfilledwithcreativityandfun.Thankyou,UdayanMitra,fortheconstantsupportandbeliefinme.
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THEBEGINNING
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