\u2018I<\/span> am getting married.\u2019<\/p>\n

One eyebrow rises.<\/p>\n

\u2018His name is Vaayu.\u2019<\/p>\n

The eyebrow lowers into a straight line. Noncommittal.<\/p>\n

\u2018He belongs to a different caste.\u2019<\/p>\n

Blink.<\/p>\n

\u2018A\u2026 lower caste.\u2019<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Both eyebrows come together. The forehead puckers. Thoughtful? Disapproving?<\/p>\n

\u2018You\u2019ll meet him tomorrow. I\u2019ve told him all about you. He\u2019s great! I\u2019m sure you both will really take to each other.\u2019 My voice rises and sounds defensive now. Desperate, too.<\/p>\n

A twitch. We\u2019ll see about that<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u2018The wedding\u2019s next month.\u2019<\/p>\n

Suddenly both eyebrows shoot up. Accusing. So soon?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018Right here. I\u2019ve arranged everything. Permissions, times, pandit<\/em>, the lot.\u2019<\/p>\n

Defeat forces the brows down again.<\/p>\n

\u2018Ok, that\u2019ll do for today. He must rest now.\u2019 The nurse bustles in. An arch of eyebrows indicates the exit.<\/p>\n

I raise my father\u2019s useless lifeless hand, kiss it and let go. It falls limply back to the bed, bouncing a little. \u2018Don\u2019t worry, Papa, I love you and I will always look after you,\u2019 I whisper softly, smiling, tears running down my cheeks.<\/p>\n

Anxious eyes follow me as I gently shut the door of Ward 14 Paralysis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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