Mahashweta by Sudha Murty Read Free Book Online Page A

Girija. Not real life. You can ask anyone about me—you will not hear a single word of scandal.’
    ‘Just because you have married my brother, do not think you can tell me what to do. You should know your limitations.’ Girija was about to leave the room when Radhakka entered. When she saw her mother, Girija’s attitude underwent a complete change.
    ‘Avva, Anupama thinks that I did not go to Halebeedu and she asked Kamala about it. I learnt this from Kamala in college today,’ Girija began to sob.
    Radhakka was furious with Anupama. This girl who had come into their house a couple of months ago was making her daughter cry!
    Radhakka raised her voice, ‘Is that true, Anupama?’
    Things were going out of control. It was as if there was an ocean of misunderstanding between them. Anupama understood the reason for that and said haltingly, ‘I only mentioned the trip in passing. . .it was a casual question. I’m sorry if I have hurt you all.’ Tears rolled down her cheeks—the first since her marriage. She had hardly ever wept before. Silently, she withdrew to the window, and Radhakka followed Girija downstairs.
    ‘Girija, tell me the truth now. Where did you go?’
    ‘Avva, I swear on goddess Lakshmi that I went on the college tour.’
    ‘Then why was Kamala not aware of it?’
    ‘Kamala belongs to a different batch and we don’t interact much with each other.’
    Since Radhakka did not know that there were no batches at the MA level, she directed her anger at Anupama. ‘No wonder they say you should check out the family background before you bring a girl into your home. She wanted to ruin your reputation! How dare she! I agreed to this alliance only because Anand was so adamant.’
    Throughout the night, Anupama lay awake; she just could not sleep. Girija’s altercation with her had made Anupama withdraw from the rest of the household. She was desperate to go away to England; each day had become a trial for her.
    Anupama was not sent to her mother’s house for the Gowri festival. Not that Sabakka had been keen on inviting her. Her father had sent her a hundred rupees—a large sum for him—by money order. Radhakka was disgusted. ‘The baksheesh I give our cook is more than this,’ she muttered.
    At last, it was the auspicious day of the Lakshmi puja. All of them forgot their differences as it was the celebration of the year. Every nook and cranny, every room in the house was cleaned till it gleamed. Hundreds of invitations had been sent out and Anupama was decked in silk, gold and diamonds. She was waiting for her visa, and was due to leave for England in a couple of months.
    Before the puja, Narayana kept hustling everybody, ‘One should not miss the auspicious time; otherwise, Lakshmi won’t stop here.’
    Radhakka sent Anupama to get the hot coals to light the incense for the goddess. On her way back from the kitchen, a red-hot piece of coal fell on Anupama’s foot, severely burning it. She quietly poured some cold water on her foot and went to the hall to continue with the puja.
    In spite of the pain, Anupama mingled with everyone; she was the perfect hostess. Radhakka was very pleased that the function was a success.
    After the function was over and the guests had departed, Anupama poured some more cold water on her foot. The cold gave her some relief from the pain, but the burning sensation did not subside. By the time she went to sleep, she noticed that the burn had bubbled into a large blister.
    Her discomfort persisted over the next two days, but she did not tell anyone about it. She preferred to suffer in silence as she knew that no one there was concerned about her. She applied some medication and though the wound started healing, it itched occasionally.
    A couple of days later, she noticed something very odd. There was a small white patch on her foot where she had got burnt.



FOUR
    I nitially, Anupama did not bother much about the patch. But as the days passed, she realized that it was