‘Well,’ said Roopa in apprehension, ‘what’s your balance sheet like?’
‘On the whole,’ said Chandrika, ‘it does seem a profitable account, though it needs quite a lot of reconciliation.’
‘I hope you aren’t regretting.’
‘Oh, no,’ said Chandrika sincerely. ‘If I’ve to decide all again, I might think twice over,
but yet go the same way. The thrill of being different gives a halo to our marriage in spite of everything, though the pressures constantly lead us on a razor’s edge.’
‘What is he like?’ asked Roopa.
‘He is quite mature,’ said Chandrika as her affection for him filled her voice. ‘It’s his maturity and my motivation that’s carrying the day for us. Otherwise, we would have called it quits a long while back.’
By the time they reached Sandhya’s place, Roopa was excited about the challenges that her sister’s life posed. However, in time, seeing her sister’s adventurous life against the backdrop of her dull marital existence, she felt depressed all again. That they didn’t find Sandhya at home only further spoiled her mood, and as they walked back home, Roopa kept mum all along.
‘I’ll take you to the doctor,’ Janaki told Roopa as they had their lunch. ‘Don’t go anywhere in the evening.’
‘Why, what for?’ Roopa feigned innocence.
‘Don’t you realize,’ scowled Janaki at Roopa, ‘its nearing two years now, and there are no signs of it yet.’
‘What’s the hurry?’ said Roopa unable to share her mother’s anxiety.
‘Who knows?’ said Chandrika in jest, ‘Maybe, they’re having an extended honeymoon.’
‘When would your tummy show up?’ said Roopa to Chandrika.
‘Bear with us,’ said Chandrika, laughing. ‘We are at it.’
Many a time, it did cross Roopa’s mind that a child should have filled her emotional void. However, Sathyam, in spite of his disappointment, felt that a trip to the doctor was premature.