someone poor enough to hastily accept the proposal- and everyone knows Laxmi’s father can barely manage this shanty with his income.
I couldn’t stay a minute longer in that cramped hut...they don’t have a single fan! You can barely call it a house!
Do you know? The groom’s side even paid for the wedding jewellery!
How did they manage to snag such a rich Thakur for Laxmi? The dowry must have put them into a lifetime of debt!
I have heard that the groom is an old man..... and a divorcee at that. He was desperately looking for a young bride like this one.....
These villagers only know how to gossip..... I have heard their taunts and whispers all my life. Now I have taught myself to ignore them. How could they accept this? I would expect atleast Kamla to have some dignity! Selling her daughter off to some shady man just to escape the dowry!
No, chhoti. This necklace is for my doll’s wedding! I want her to be the most beautiful bride ever.
But I have made sure, my Laxmi will never have to hear what I have; she will never have to do for her daughter what I did for mine.
Okay, then! Can i borrow it from didi after her wedding? That will give me a reason to see the palace! Maa, is didi going to be a princess?
She will have all the luxuries I couldn’t afford to dream of. Clothes, cars, servants, pretty things..... As the Thakurain she will command the respect and awe that she didn’t deserve as the mason’s daughter
Maa, can I please have that pretty necklace for my doll’s wedding next week?
You are all invited to my doll’s wedding next week! There will be a royal feast after that. Feel free to bring your dolls too!
AAAAH! Hey, there you are brother! Congratulations on such a great match- a Thakur, I hear......and with barely any expense! You must be ecstatic, eh?
Huh, ecstatic! I am just relieved to be getting rid of one of them. All that money wasted on her school!
I hope to get just as lucky with the other one. She is quite a handful!
That was harsh!
I will run away to the mansion and live with didi! She never scolds me or beats me like Baba.... Why are you leaving me alone here didi? What will I do without you?
The Baraat is here! Hurry up, everyone! Didi has promised mewe both will play in her BIG mansion after she is married. She even said she will buy me ten more dolls to play with!
Poor child!
Stop wasting your time here, you good-fornothing! Go and help your sister get ready. Baraat will be here any minute!
The groom has arrived. Hurry up, Kamla!
Let us go and see him
I can’t wait to see the groom!
What a big car! Laxmi is so lucky!
Wow! Look at that!
A widow? I always say its bad luck for girls to go to school! She shouldn’t have come to this auspicious occasion.
She doesn’t look like a widow.... doesn’t act like one either! Does she not know the customs?
She doesn’t believe in them.... she is ‘educated’ you see!
Welcome brother..... errr... I mean son!
Who is that? I have never seen her around.....
Go and check what’s taking your friend so long.
Yes, bhaiyya. I am sure she is almost ready. I will go get her.
That is the Thakur’s sister and the bride’s good friend from school. She was married until recently she became a widow.
Everyone expects me to act different just because I am a widow now. But why should I wear clothes of mourning for someone I never knew? All my life I have been labelled. The snob, the educated girl, the widow....
Now, I have finally found a friend, a sistersomeone who will understand what it feels like to be forced to leave school, to marry a stranger....
Now, finally we won’t be alone, sister! Come on, Laxmi! Open the door! It’s time!
Something is wrong.... we need to break this door down. Step aside!
Hurry up, Laxmi.... everyone is waiting!
She is not opening the door!
What is the reason for this delay? Please call the Kanya.... the auspicious moment will pass away.
Looks like a rainstorm is approaching! No wonder.... it has been quite a warm day.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?
. . . .
The bride has RUN AWAY!
Keep my jewels for chhoti’s wedding .....if they let you. When I grow up and work in an office I will buy her whatever she wants!
Chhoti, I know I promised you I would play with you in the mansion. I promised to teach you how to read, to keep you safe from all harm...... for now I cannot keep any of those promises. But here is a promise that I will keepI will study hard and earn a living; then I will come to take you and Maa with me. Till then be a brave girl. I am sorry, Maa. I know you had a lot of dreams for me. But those are not my dreams. I don’t want jewels or houses or cars. I want to study and be free.....
I am sure you all think I am selfish, but I had to be.
My dear friend Meena, I don’t know if you will still let my call you that, after my betrayal....
But I was brave enough to dream and fight for it. I hope someday you will be too.
This is the first time I lied to my best friend and I feel terrible. I am sorry I wasn’t brave enough to tell you my plans.
Believe me, I love you all so much. But I guess I love myself more. I cannot tell you where I am going or who is helping me. But don’t worry, I will be safe.
Wish me luck! Yours lovingly Laxmi.