‘Not that again, Smrithi,’ Priya scolded, and Smrithi braced herself for the rest of the familiar conversation. ‘I wish you’d just listen. If you don’t marry soon, you’re going to miss the boat and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. Everyone has to get married. It isn’t a choice or an option. It’s a necessity. It’s our duty to find the right man for you and your duty to accept him.’

‘For god’s sake, Smrithi, smile. I can’t send these photos to your aunties if you look like you’re at a funeral.’

•

Nala created space on her cluttered kitchen table. Smrithi placed the bowl of coffee-trifle pudding down. It was Rajan’s favourite.

‘Amma sent this for you. Where is Appappa?’ she asked, looking around.

‘He’s gone to the doctor’s for an eye check-up,’ Nala replied.

‘But it’s Sunday.’

‘He’s gone to check the route. His appointment is tomorrow but it’s at a new clinic … he doesn’t want to be late. You’ve lost more weight, darling. How is everything going?’ Nala asked.

‘I’m fine, Ammamma, I’m fine,’ Smrithi replied, her eyes filling with tears. ‘Amma is really mad at me.’

‘I know. What did she say today?’ Her daughter had a harsh tongue at times.

‘She said if I don’t marry soon, I’m going to miss the bus or the boat or something.’

‘She’s just trying to help you, Smrithi. Your Appappa and I did the same thing for her when she was your age. These days children are given a chance to get to know each other. Amma will find a nice boy and you’ll be allowed to meet many times. If you don’t like each other, you could even say no.’

‘Did you meet Appappa before you married him?’ Smrithi asked.

‘Me? No! We met once but didn’t even speak to each other. I remember walking into the room with a plate of sweets. My Amma told me to keep my head down, so I barely saw him. He spoke once that entire meeting—that should have told me he was a mute. Our parents checked our charts, the planets were a good match. Four months later we were married.’

She laughed at the look of horror on her granddaughter’s face.

‘It wasn’t so bad. It was expected of us, and it was what we expected. But as you know, I’m a very modern grandmother. Have you thought about finding your own husband?’ she asked.

‘Maybe, Ammamma. I haven’t had much time to date,’ Smrithi replied.

‘Hmm, always studying. Vivek dated—it can’t be that hard.’ Nala laughed again. ‘Do you want to get married, Smrithi?’ she asked more seriously. ‘You’ve finished your journalism degree now, what is stopping you?’