‘The eldest son always carries the biggest burden for the family.’

‘I know that, Nala. He carries the family.’ Rajan was the eldest son.

‘Who recommended him?’ she asked, not yet persuaded.

‘Kamini’s father-in-law, old Uncle Tharmo. He met the boy at a Tamil Federal Party rally, but assures me he wasn’t there to participate. He had only brought his parents.’

‘Well, are they political?’ she asked.

‘Everyone is becoming political, Nala. I told Uncle Tharmo I don’t want a son-in-law who’s involved in the party. I want someone who will work hard, provide for her, make her happy and have children.’ Maybe even a son-in-law who would allow her to look after all of them. He would save enough so that he and Nala would not be at the mercy of others, but he had watched his own mother wither. He would need his children.

‘He’s been offered a position at Colombo General and he’s applying for overseas scholarships as well. He’s very clever and hardworking. People speak highly of him and his family. Uncle Tharmo said he couldn’t recommend his own son more highly. That’s a little troubling as his son is married to your sister.’ Rajan smiled at Nala, but she didn’t smile back.

He continued. ‘Uncle suggested we do a horoscope matching first, and if the charts are compatible, the families can meet.’

‘Will this boy allow her to finish her studies first? I want her to graduate before she has children, don’t you?’ Nala asked. ‘If he wants to marry into our family, he will wait, surely?’

Rajan answered simply, ‘He is a doctor.’

‘And you are a doctor and she is a medical student,’ she pushed, ‘so she’s worth waiting for.’

‘Don’t be foolish, Nala—you were the one who wanted them to marry rather than study. I don’t want them to wait—I want her to marry and begin her life, hopefully in a new country; a better country than this one.’ He had said too much. He didn’t want a son-in-law involved in politics. He needed one who would help Dhara escape politics.

‘You’re marrying her off so she will leave?’ Nala asked.

‘I am not “marrying her off”—I am marrying her well, to a man who has integrity, drive and ambition; a man who sees what’s happening to Ceylon and can make his way in the rest of the world. You trusted your father’s judgement and respected his wishes when he told you it was time for your marriage. Now trust my judgement and please respect my wishes.’