Destiny

12. The Shock

It is said that wealth normally never comes alone. It is generally followed by arrogance, and so it was with Aadya. She did not pay any attention to Anupama or try to be friendly with her. She had her own room and her own set of friends, and she was always busy with her own activities.

One day, during dinner, Aadya told her mother, 'Avva, all my friends have decided to go on a two-day study tour to Belur and Halebeedu (Some places in Karnataka). I want to go, too.'
'Will there be any boys joining this tour?' asked Sunaina.

'No, only the girls from our class and our lady teachers are going,' She assured her quickly and was given permission to go on the trip.

While Aadya was away Sunaina's friend, Sulochna, who was celebrating her grandson's first birthday, invited her to attend the function.

Sunaina had not been feeling well, so she called Anupama and said, 'Anupama, you must attend the function. Give the child a silver bowl as a gift. Remember to wear your emerald ornaments and take the car. But don't stay too long in their house.'

Sunaina believed that the purpose of attending a function was not so much to socialize or participate in the festivities as to flaunt one's wealth. Her actions were never the result of love or affection.

Anupama could not go out without taking the car and the driver, and never
without her mother-in-law's permission.

Before her marriage, she had been a free bird and had gone wherever she pleased. Now, she felt as if she was locked up in a gilded cage. She dressed to please her mother-in-law, and left for the ceremony. By the time she arrived at Sulochna's house, the other guests had departed, and only the members of the family were around. Anupama began talking to Sulochna's daughter, Sharda, who was Aadya's classmate.

Casually Anupama asked Kamala, 'Hey, why didn't you go to Halebeedu?'
'What are you talking about?' Kamala looked puzzled.

'I thought the college had taken the girls from your class on a study tour.'

'The college hasn't organized any such trip for us. Now that we're in the middle of our seminars, no one can go anywhere.'

Anupama was nonplussed. She realized that something was wrong, but did not want to divulge any family secrets to an outsider.

Sharda, however, persisted, 'Who told you about the trip?'

'I can't remember. I guess I was confused and got everything mixed up.'

'Where is Aadya?'

Anupama stammered, 'Oh, she is not well, so she stayed at home.'

'Is that why she didn't come to college yesterday?'

'Yes!' Anupama was now desperate to escape from Sharda's clutches. 'Oh, it is getting late; I must go now,' she mumbled.

'What's the hurry? Anyway, Anand is not here. Stay for some more time. It seems the school for the physically handicapped is organizing a fund-raising
programme this year, too!'

'Is that so?' Anupama had lost contact with the world outside Lakshmi Nivas since her marriage.

'Aren't you acting in their play?'
'Which play?'

'Chand Bibi. Now that you're at home, I thought you'd go for the rehearsals. I'm surprised you don't even know about this.'

Sulochna, who had overheard their conversation, exclaimed, 'It's out of the question. Sunina will never allow her daughter-in-law to act. Imagine girls from decent families going on stage! Things cannot go on as they did before the marriage. Sunaina will have a heart attack if her daughter-in-law carries on like that!'