“Are you worried about Mummy? She doesn’t know anything at all. Pappa’s in Jaipur and won’t be back for another week. Give me Karen’s number and I’ll call you at her house in two days. Do it, because that’s what I’d do if I were in your place.”

Silence.

“Please, Mohini. You have to.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then I will.”

“Today?”

“Yes,” she said with a firm voice. I let out my breath and hung up.

The next day, when Nimita came over with Nupur, I wanted to tell her about Mohini, but I never got a chance to be alone with her, even for a few minutes. She must have noticed something in my voice, because she asked, “What’s wrong with you? All of a sudden you’re not tired and sick anymore. Why are you so squirmy and agitated?”

“I’m feeling much better, and now I’m worried about my results. They will be out in two weeks.”

“I suppose,” she said, giving me a lingering look.

Mummy heard us, but didn’t say a word. That made me feel better. The more I thought about what Mummy would do if she found out about Mohini and Anoop, the more convinced I was that she’d have a hard time believing that a nice man like Anoop from such a fine family could be violent. Or she might get hysterical and then the whole community would know and rumors would fly. They say you can’t tie a sieve on people’s mouths, and who knows what kind of garbage might come out.

Foi came to see me that afternoon. “It’s great to see you walking around. Are you feeling better?” she asked.

“Much better,” I said, trying to hide tears. After Pappa, she was the one who could solve a problem at our house, and seeing her made my courage melt in an instant. Just like Nimita, she gave me a lingering look and shook her head.

When Mummy wasn’t there Foi asked me to come and sit by her. I knew she suspected something. “Are you getting your period normally?”

“Yes.”

“There’s a shadow on your face, a shadow darker than your dark skin. I can’t ignore it. What’s the matter, beta?” she said, rubbing my back softly.

I bit my lip. “Nothing.”

I was shaking, but I knew I must keep it all inside me.

She held me tight. “As long as you can solve your problem, I don’t want to interfere; yet you know that I’m always here for you.”

“Thank you,” I said, and I really, truly meant it.

Two days later, Sarina took me for a ride again. I called Karen’s house, and Mohini was there. Her voice was shaky and I asked her what was wrong.

“I wrote a note to Anoop before I left.”