The Benefit Season Page 27

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  A little later we were married. Mom was surprised when the baby arrived sooner than expected, but was overwhelmed to see it so pink and healthy. ‘He is an exact copy of your dear father’, she announced, covering her mouth with her pallu9. I’d never heard her refer to him as “dear”. She clasped the baby to her chest and rocked and cried. She smothered it with kisses and examined it from countless angles and then wept some more- gratefully.

  She’d never mourned dad. It seemed she was getting done with it now.

  ∞ THE END ∞

  1 Khansama - caretaker and cook.

  2 Gandiva- Arjuna’s famed bow and arrow which made him invincible. When fired it made a sound like thunder.

  3 Impotent.

  4 Hyssop – A biblical aromatic herb.

  5 Hawala: A system of transferring money or remittances without actual movement of cash. Payments are honored and made on production of any proof.

  6 Bhabiji- Sister in law.

  7 Jaan- Dear.

  8 Mps- Meters per second.

  9 Pallu- Edge of the sari.

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