Besides, what did he know about living with his mother? He left in the mornings and only came back home at night. If he stayed at home, he’d know what it was to live with Marayi. Like constantly walking on fire. Would he be able to understand her? Wiping her tears, she rose. The shop was covered in dust everywhere, and things lay haphazardly. If she sat down to mope about things now, she would be crying until he returned. But if there was a task to be done, then it would distract her from her burdensome thoughts. And as she went about completing the task, the burden would feel lighter and lighter, until, when she finished, there would be no more burden left to bear. Back at the hut on the rock, she was scared to take up any task—after all, she never quite knew what her mother-in-law might say. But here in this shop, in this town, there was no one to stop her.

She swept the entrance clean. The street was not a paved one, just a mud path. She felt strange about sweeping the entrance so long after sunrise, but she told herself it was all right, because this was a shop—not a house. After sweeping, she sprinkled water to make the dust settle down. Then she swept the ground again. As she was engaged in this task, a few people came out of the neighbouring shops and stood watching her. She gave them a friendly smile. They smiled back. True smiles. Happy smiles.

One of the women said, ‘Are you going to move here to live?’

In her heart, Saroja blessed the woman for giving words to her wish, and replied, ‘We will know soon.’

‘When there is a woman to take care of it, any place looks good,’ said another woman. ‘The boy came here ten days ago saying there would be a shop here soon. But I didn’t see him sweeping the entrance. I hope he cleaned the inside at least.’ Then she suggested, ‘You come now and then and keep the place clean for him.’

It made Saroja happy just to listen to their talk. She had no doubt whatsoever. This was her town. This was her Tholur.

THIRTEEN

THIRTEEN