The girl was shivering. Her eyes were wide, her breaths rapid and shallow. She barely seemed to notice the old couple whose home she’d run to.
The old woman fetched her some water. The girl took a sip. Her grip on the mug was tight.
The girl’s voice was barely more than a whisper. “My relatives are after me, ajji. It’s only a week since amma‘s been gone. But they took her gold bangles. I heard them saying they have to get me married away. I don’t want be married. I want to study.”
The old couple sighed in unison. “Remind me what you’re studying, Shruti,” the old man asked the girl.
“First year pre-university, thatha. Can I please work for you? I can take up amma‘s job. I’d helped her out on weekends, hadn’t I? I can be a full-time maid now.”
The old man didn’t answer her. He signalled to his wife and the two went into their room. They discussed something in hushed tones. The girl waited, puzzled.
The couple came back into the living room and sat beside the girl. The woman surveyed the girl. “We don’t want you to work, Shruti. We will fund your education instead. At least until you complete your second year. And you can live with us until you’re old enough to work. Okay?”
Shruti blinked. “I…” A few moments later, she fell at the couple’s feet.
One year, three months later…
His rheumatoid knees were reluctant as ever, but he had to open the door. The bell ring was incessant; the switch was probably stuck.
He idly glanced at his wife’s photograph in the living room on the way. He missed her.
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