SUDHAMURTY

TheMotherINeverKnew

TwoNovels

Contents

AbouttheAuthor

Alsobythesameauthor

Dedication

Venkatesh

UnexpectedNews

ADifferenceofOpinion

ANewCity

ACaseofMistakenIdentity

TheMeeting

Revelation

ANewLife

UncoveringthePast

SeekingtheTruth

AMeetingwiththePast

AFather’sDebt

Mukesh

TheFall

PhoneCalls

TheOutsider

TheShatteringSecret

ForaBetterLife

ASon’sRight

BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor

TheInnocenceofLove

AJourneyContinued

TheFinalStop

WhatMattersintheEnd

Acknowledgements

FollowPenguin

Copyright

PENGUINBOOKS

THEMOTHERINEVERKNEW

SudhaMurtywasbornin1950inShiggaoninnorthKarnataka.ShedidherMTechincomputerscience,andisnowthechairpersonoftheInfosysFoundation.AprolificwriterinEnglishandKannada,shehaswrittennovels,technicalbooks,travelogues,collectionsofshortstoriesandnon-fictionalpieces,andfourbooksforchildren.HerbookshavebeentranslatedintoallthemajorIndianlanguages.SudhaMurtywastherecipientoftheR.K.NarayanAwardforLiteratureand

thePadmaShriin2006,andtheAttimabbeAwardfromthegovernmentofKarnatakaforexcellenceinKannadaliteraturein2011.

Alsobythesameauthor

FICTION

DollarBahuMahashweta

GentlyFallstheBakulaHouseofCards

NON-FICTION

WiseandOtherwiseTheOldManandHisGod

TheDayIStoppedDrinkingMilk

CHILDREN’SFICTION

HowITaughtMyGrandmothertoReadandOtherStoriesTheMagicDrumandOtherFavouriteStories

TheBirdwithGoldenWings:StoriesofWitandMagicGrandma’sBagofStories

TomyfriendLakshmiforalwaysgivingmetherightperspectivethroughour

decade-longfriendship

Venkatesh

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

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.’

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

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.’

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.’

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.

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.

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.’

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.

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.

‘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?’

‘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.’

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.’

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.

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.

‘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.’

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.’

‘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.

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.

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

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.’

‘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,

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.’

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

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?’

‘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,

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.

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

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

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.’

‘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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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?’

‘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.’

‘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.’

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.

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.

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.

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.’

‘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.

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

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.

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.

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.’

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.’

‘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?’

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.’

‘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.

Venkateshstartedatthebeginning,andasthestoryunfolded,bothmotherandsonstaredathiminabsolutedisbelief.

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.’

‘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?’

‘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.

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

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.

Mukesh

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.

‘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-

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.

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

herMunnaandmayrunheretohelpyoulookafterme.I’msureI’llbeallrightsoon.’ShesmiledandMukeshnervouslywatchedherdisappearintotheoperation

area.

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.’

‘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?’

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.

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?’

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,

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.’

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.’

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.’

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.

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

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.

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

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?’

‘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.’

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

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.

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.

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.’

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.’

Sobbing,Rupinderturnedandleftthehouse.

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

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?’

‘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

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.

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

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.’

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.’

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,

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.

‘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.

‘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.’

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.

‘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?’

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

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.

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.

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?’

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.

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.

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.

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.’

‘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?’

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.

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.

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

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

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.’

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.

‘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.

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

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.

Shestoodupandwenttosearchforhim.Shefoundhimstandingoutsideonthebalconygazingatthesky.Silently,shecameupfrombehind,touchedhisshoulderandputanarmaroundhiswaist.‘Youmaybeanybody’ssonbutyou’llalwaysbemyhusband,’shesaid.

Acknowledgements

Anaffectionatethankyoutomytrustededitor,ShrutkeertiKhurana,forthewonderfulworkandlate-nightsessionsfilledwithcreativityandfun.Thankyou,UdayanMitra,fortheconstantsupportandbeliefinme.

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