Literaturech12英语文学写作教材教程教案讲义

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StoriesforFurtherReading

Thenoveltendstotelluseverything,whereastheshortstorytellsusonlyonethingandthat

intensely.

—V.S.PRITCHETT

ChinuaAchebe

DeadMen'sPath(1953)1972

ChinuaAchebewasborninOgidi,avillageineasternNigeria,in1930.Hisfatherwasamissionaryschoolteacher,

andAchebehadadevoutChristianupbringing.AmemberoftheIbotribe,thefuturewritergrewupspeakingIgbo,

butattheageofeight,hebeganlearningEnglish.HewentabroadtostudyatLondonUniversitybutreturnedto

AfricatocompletehisB.A.attheUniversityCollegeofIbadanin1953.AchebeworkedforyearsinNigerianradio.

ShortlyafterNigeria'sindependencefromGreatBritainin1963,civilwarbrokeout,andthenewnationsplitin

two.AchebelefthisjobtojointheMinistryofInformationforBiafra,thenewcountrycreatedfromeasternNigeria.

Itwasnotuntil1970thatthebloodycivilwarended.ApproximatelyonemillionIboslaydeadfromwar,disease,

andstarvationasthedefeatedBiafransreunitedwithNigeria.AchebeisoftenconsideredAfricafspremiernovelist.

HisnovelsincludeThingsFallApart(1958),NoLongeratEase(1962),AManofthePeople(1966),andAnthillsof

theSavannah(1987).HisshortstorieshavebeencollectedinGirlsAtWar(1972).Hehasalsopublishedpoetry,

children"sstories,andseveralvolumesofessays,themostrecentofwhich,isHomeandExile(2000).In1990

AchebesufferedmassiveinjuriesinacaraccidentoutsideLagosthatlefthimparalyzedfromthewaistdown.He

currentlyteachesatBardCollegeinupstateNewYork.In1999hevisitedNigeriaagainafteradeliberatenine-year

absencetoprotestgovernmentdictatorship,andhishomecomingbecameanationalevent.

MichaelObi'shopeswerefulfilledmuchearlierthanhehadexpected.Hewasappointedheadmasterof

NdumeCentralSchoolinJanuary1949.Ithadalwaysbeenanunprogressiveschool,sotheMissionauthorities

decidedtosendayoungandenergeticmantorunit.Obiacceptedthisresponsibilitywithenthusiasm.Hehad

manywonderfulideasandthiswasanopportunitytoputthemintopractice.Hehadhadsoundsecondaryschool

educationwhichdesignatedhima“pivotalteacher”intheofficialrecordsandsethimapartfromtheother

headmastersinthemissionfield.Hewasoutspokeninhiscondemnationofthenarrowviewsoftheseolderand

oftenless-educatedones.

“Weshallmakeagoodjobofit,shan'twe?"heaskedhisyoungwifewhentheyfirstheardthejoyfulnews

ofhispromotion.

“Weshalldoourbest,“shereplied."Weshallhavesuchbeautifulgardensandeverythingwillbejust

modernanddelightful...”Intheirtwoyearsofmarriedlifeshehadbecomecompletelyinfectedbyhispassion

for“modernmethods^^andhisdenigrationof“theseoldandsuperannuatedpeopleintheteachingfieldwho

wouldbebetteremployedastradersintheOnitshamarket."Shebegantoseeherselfalreadyastheadmired

wifeoftheyoungheadmaster,thequeenoftheschool.

Thewivesoftheotherteacherswouldenvyherposition.Shewouldsetthefashionineverything...Then,

suddenly,itoccurredtoherthattheremightnotbeotherwives.Waveringbetweenhopeandfear,sheaskedher

husband,lookinganxiouslyathim.

5

“Allourcolleaguesareyoungandunmarried,“hesaidwithenthusiasmwhichforonceshedidnotshare.

“Whichisagoodthing,“hecontinued.

“Why?”

“Why?Theywillgivealltheirtimeandenergytotheschool.n

Nancywasdowncast.Forafewminutesshebecameskepticalaboutthenewschool;butitwasonlyfora

fewminutes.Herlittlepersonalmisfortunecouldnotblindhertoherhusband'shappyprospects.Shelookedat

himashesatfoldedupinachair.Hewasstoop-shoulderedandlookedfrail.Buthesometimessurprisedpeople

withsuddenburstsofphysicalenergy.Inhispresentposture,however,allhisbodilystrengthseemedlohave

retiredbehindhisdeep-seteyes,givingthemanextraordinarypowerofpenetration.Hewasonlytwenty-six.but

lookedthirtyormore.Onthewhole,hewasnotunhandsome.

“Apennyforyourthoughts,Mike,“saidNancyafterawhile,imitatingthewoman'smagazinesheread.

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“Iwasthinkingwhatagrandopportunitywe'vegotatlasttoshowthesepeoplehowaschoolshouldbe

run.

NdumeSchoolwasbackwardineverysenseoftheword.Mr.Obiputhiswholelifeintothework,andhis

wifeherstoo.Hehadtwoaims.Ahighstandardofteachingwasinsistedupon,andtheschoolcompoundwasto

beturnedintoaplaceofbeauty.Nancy'sdream-gardenscametolifewiththecomingoftherains,and

blossomed.Beautifulhibiscusandallamandahedgesinbrilliantredandyellowmarkedoutthecarefullytended

schoolcompoundfromtherankneighborhoodbushes.

OneeveningasObiwasadmiringhisworkhewasscandalizedtoseeanoldwomanfromthevillagehobble

rightacrossthecompound,throughamarigoldflower-bedandthehedges.Ongoinguptherehefoundfaint

signsofanalmostdisusedpathfromthevillageacrosstheschoolcompoundtothebushontheotherside.

“Itamazesme,“saidObitooneofhisteacherswhohadbeenthreeyearsintheschool,4kthatyoupeople

allowedthevillagerstomakeuseofthisfootpath.Itissimplyincredible."Heshookhishead.

“Thepath,“saidtheteacherapologetically,“appearstobeveryimportanttothem.Althoughitishardly

used,itconnectsthevillageshrinewiththeirplaceofburial.”

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“Andwhathasthatgottodowiththeschoolaskedtheheadmaster.

“Well,Idon'tknow,“repliedtheotherwithashrugoftheshoulders.kiButIremembertherewasabigrow

sometimeagowhenweattemptedtocloseit.,,

'Thatwassometimeago.Butitwillnotbeusednow,"saidObiashewalkedaway."Whatwillthe

GovernmentEducationOfficerthinkofthiswhenhecomestoinspecttheschoolnextweek?Thevillagersmight,

forallIknow,decidetousetheschoolroomforpaganritualduringtheinspection.^^

Heavystickswereplantedcloselyacrossthepathatthetwoplaceswhereitenteredandlefttheschool

premises.Thesewerefurtherstrengthenedwithbarbedwire.

ThreedayslaterthevillagepriestofAnicalledontheheadmaster.Hewasanoldmanandwalkedwitha

slightstoop.Hecarriedastoutwalking-stickwhichheusuallytappedonthefloor,bywayofemphasis,each

timehemadeanewpointinhisargument.

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“1haveheard,“hesaidaftertheusualexchangeofcordialities,“thatourancestralfootpathhasrecently

beenclosed...”

"Yes,"repliedMr.Obi."Wecannotallowpeopletomakeahighwayofourschoolcompound.”

“Lookhere,myson,“saidthepriestbringingdownhiswalking-stick,<4thispathwasherebeforeyouwere

bornandbeforeyourfatherwasborn.Thewholelifeofthisvillagedependsonit.Ourdeadrelativesdepartby

itandourancestorsvisitusbyit.Butmostimportant,itisthepathofchildrencomingintobeborn...”

Mr.Obilistenedwithasatisfiedsmileonhisface.

'Thewholepurposeofourschool,“hesaidfinally,41stoeradicatejustsuchbeliefsasthat.Deadmendo

notrequirefootpaths.Thewholeideaisjustfantastic.Ourdutyistoteachyourchildrentolaughatsuchideas.”

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“Whatyousaymaybetrue,“repliedthepriest,4Abutwefollowthepracticesofourfathers.Ifyoureopenthe

pathweshallhavenothingtoquarrelabout.WhatIalwayssayis:letthehawkperchandlettheeagleperch.”

Herosetogo.

“Iamsorry,“saidtheyoungheadmaster.4tButtheschoolcompoundcannotbeathoroughfare.Itisagainst

ourregulations.Iwouldsuggestyourconstructinganotherpath,skirtingourpremises.Wecanevengetourboys

tohelpinbuildingit.Idon'tsupposetheancestorswillfindthelittledetourtooburdensome.^^

“Ihavenomorewordstosay,“saidtheoldpriest,alreadyoutside.

Twodayslaterayoungwomaninthevillagediedinchildbed.Adivinerwasimmediatelyconsultedandhe

prescribedheavysacrificestopropitiateancestorsinsultedbythefence.

Obiwokeupnextmorningamongtheruinsofhiswork.Thebeautifulhedgesweretornupnotjustnearthe

pathbutrightroundtheschool,theflowerstrampledtodeathandoneoftheschoolbuildingspulleddown

Thatday,thewhiteSupervisorcametoinspecttheschoolandwroteanastyreportonthestateofthepremises

butmoreseriouslyaboutthe“tribal-warsituationdevelopingbetweentheschoolandthevillage,arisinginpart

fromthemisguidedzealofthenewheadmaster.”

AnjanaAppachana

TheProphecy1991

AnjanaAppachanawasborninMercara,India,in1956.Herfatherwasanarmyofficerandhermothera

schoolteacher.AppachanareceivedherB.A.fromDelhiUniversityin1976and,twoyearslater,anM.A.from

JawaharalNehruUniversity.SheheldseveralnonliteraryjobsinNewDelhi,andthenmovedwithherhusbandand

daughtertotheUnitedStatesinthemid-1980s.ShetaughtatPennsylvaniaStateUniversityandlateratArizona

StateUniversityinTempe,whereshenowlivesandwrites.DespitehermovetotheWest,hercreativefocusremains

India,anditsrich,althoughneverromanticized,culturepervadesherfiction.

Priortothepublicationofherfirstbook,acollectionofshortstoriesentitledIncantations(199J),Appachanafs

story“HerMother"wontheO.HenryFestivalAwardin1989.Inthispiece,sherevealedtheintimaterelationship

betweenmotheranddaughterthroughthemother'sactofwritingaletterfromIndiatoherdaughterintheUnited

States.Despitethesuperficialdifferencesintheirlives,themothercomestorealizethatthetwoaremorealikein

theirwomanhoodthandissimilarinsituation.ThestoriesinIncantationsareallmarkedlyrealistic,withnohintof

themagicalrealismorfantasyfoundinmanypostcolonialwriters.Appachana'scharactersareplaguedbyvery

realconcerns,suchastheimpossiblesocialandmoralquandarycausedbyonemem'srapeofhisbrother'sbride.

ThebondbetweenwomenandtheircommonoppressioninthepatriarchalIndiansocietyarerecurrentthemes

inbothAppachana'sstoriesandhernovelListeningNow(1998).Thebookistoldthroughthenarrativevoicesof

sixwomen,andencompassesalovestoryinwhichapregnantyoungwomaniscruellyabandonedbyherlover.

Appachanaacknowledgesthatthemeninhernovelareseenalmostexclusivelythroughtheeyesofwomen:*7can7

writefromaman'spointofview.Idon7understandhowtheirmindswork.ButIdidn7reasonanyofthisoutwhen

Iwrotethebook.Iwrotewhatcametomeandwhatcametomewerethevoicesofthesewomen.Icouldbarelyhear

themenrsvoices!,fThewomen"svoicesbegantoiihaunf,herinthe1980s,andin1990shebegantowrite

ListeningNow,usingthevoicesasinspiration.Asshetoldaninten^iewerfortheHindunewspaper,ilVveprobably

listenedtothesestoriesallmylife.I'velistenedtothestoriesofmywomenfriends,thestoriesoftheirmothers,my

mother,hersistersandtheirfriends."

InadditiontotheO.HenryFestivalprize,AppachanahasbeenawardedaNationalEndowmentfortheArts

fellowshipandhastwicewontheHawthorndenCastlefellowship,whichawardsawritingresidencyinamanor

houseinScotland.

Intheendwedecidedtovisittheastrologerbeforegoingtothegynecologist.Afteranhoufswaitinthe

relentlessafternoonsun,ascooterfinallystoppedforus.Whenwetoldthescooterwalla0wherewewantedtogo,he

snortedandspatoutacopiousstreamofpaan.°

"Idon'tgosuchshortdistances,hesaidcontemptuously.Weturnedawaywearily.uItwillbetenrupees!”

heshouted.

“Gotohell/*saidAmrita.44Youscooterwallasareallthesame.”

Idraggedherback.uForgetyourprinciplestoday.We'Hbothcollapseinthisheat.,,

5

Wesatinsidethescooter.Tothescooterwalla^leftwasapictureofGoddessLakshmiwithatinselgarland

aroundit,tohisright,oneofafilmactress,bare-bosomedandsmiling.Surveyingusthroughtherearview

mirror,thescooterwallagrinned.Helitabeedi0withaflourishandstartedthescooter.Loudlyandatbreakneck

speed,thescooterweaveditswaythroughthetraffic.Weclungtothesidesandhelplesslytriedtoholdour

sareesdown.

“Mayberilbeluckyandhaveamiscarriagenow,“gaspedAmrita.

“Slowdown,“Ishoutedabovethenoiseofthescooter.Heaccelerated.4tSIowdownwillyou!”

Heturnedtome,grinning.t4Whaldidyousay?”

Iscreamed,“Lookattheroad,don'tlookatme!Slowdown!”

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Hemissedacarbyaninch,swervedviolently,threwbackhisheadandlaughed.4€Whichcollegeareyou

from?”Wedidnotanswer.Heaccelerated.

“Slowdown!Doyouwantustodie!^^

“Memsahib,“°hesaid,“deathisneitherinyourhandsnorinmine.Ifwehavetodie,wewilldie.Itisall

writtendown.”

44Youdieifyouwantto.Attherateyou'regoingyou'llkillustoo.”

Hebouncedupanddowninhisseatgleefully.uWhocares,“hesang,“WhocaresifIdie,whocaresifyou

die,whatdifferencedoesitmake!”

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“Stoptalkingtohim,“Amritatoldme,"he'senjoyingit.”

Thescooterwallaacceleratedagainandlookedatmehopefullyintherearviewmirror.Ilookedoutatthe

road.Wehadpassedourdestination."'Stop,stopT

Heturnedtomeagainandwinked.4tWhatistheretobesoscaredabout?Peopledieallthetime.”

('Willyoupleasestop,we'vepassedtheplace!n

Hebrakedimmediatelyandwealmostfelloverhim.Heleeredatourbosomsandsaid,“Madam,you

shouldhavewarnedme.Thisishowaccidentshappen.”

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Ithrustatenrupeenoteintohisoutstretchedhand.Hetookit,caressingmyhandsashedid,smiledslowly

anddroveoff.ShakilywebeganwalkingtoChachaji'shouse.Chachaji,astheastrologerwascalled,wasvery

popularwiththegirlsinourcollege.Hispropheciescametrueandhewascheaperthantherest.Hecouldread

yourmind.Onelookatyouandhekneweverything—yourpast,yourpresent,yourfuture.

Hiswifeopenedthedoortousandledustothelivingroom.Icouldhearthepressurecookerinthekitchen

andthehousewasredolentwiththesmellofchickencurry.Somewhereinsideababycried.Thesmellof

incensewaftedinandChachajientered.Spotlesswhitepyjama-kurta,softwhitebeard,frailframe,startling

eyes…mystic…ethereal.Westaredathimdumbstruck.

Hesatoppositeusandgazedintoourfaces.Hesmiled."Yes,mychildren?”

IlookedatAmrita.Ithadbeenherideatocomehere.Whenshedidn'tsayanything,Ispoke.t€Wewanted

toconsultyou.”

“Yes,yes,theyallwanttoconsultme.”Howsofthisvoicewas.

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IlookedagainatAmrita.Hereyesweredeepwithtears.Iknewhowshefelt.Icouldhaveconfessed

anythingtohim.

HeturnedtoAmrita.Almostimperceptibly,heshookhishead."Beti,youareinaforest,lost,wandering.

Youdonotknowwheretogo."Dumbly,Amritanodded.Hesighedandclosedhiseyes."Iseeaboy.^^We

started.seetrouble.Itallbeganwiththisboy.Whatisthedate,timeandplaceofyourbirth?”Shetoldhim.

Onapieceofpaperhedidsomerapidcalculations.Heshookhishead."Thestarsarenotgood.Theshadowof

Shaniisfallingonyou.Itisaveryunluckyyearforyou.^^

Amritawhispered."Chachaji,whatwillhappen?”

“Happen?Hasitnotalreadyhappened?”

Sheflinchedandloweredhereyes.Herfingersgatheredandungatheredherpleats."WhatwillIdo,

Chachaji,whatwillIdo?”

30

Heclosedhiseyesonceagain.Iwassweatingprofuselyandtherewerebeadsofperspirationabove

Amrita'smouth.

Hiswifeenteredwithtwoglassesofwaterforus.Wedrankthirstily.Shesmiledatus."Youarebothso

pretty."Wesmiledgratefully."Butyoudon'tknowhowtowearsarees,“shesaid,clickinghertongue.t4Stand

upforamomenl."Westoodupobediently.Shebentandpulledoursareesdown."Alwayswearyoursandals

beforewearingsarees.Orelseit'llridehigh,^^sheadjustedourpleats,thenstoodupandsurveyedherworkwith

satisfaction.

“Champa'smother,“sighedChachaji,“theyhavenotcomeheretotalkofsarees.”

“Ohyou,“shedismissedhimwithagesture."Don'tfrightenthesechildrenwithallyourtalk."Shepicked

uptheglasses,gaveusanothersunnysmileandwalkedoutoftheroom,herpayalstinklingsoftly.

Apologetically,welookedatChachaji.Hesmiledindulgently."Yes,children,whatelsedoyouwantto

know?”

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“WhatshouldIdo?”askedAmrita.

“Iwilldoapuja°foryou.ItwillnegatethebadinfluenceofShani.AftersixmonthsIwillperformasecond

puja.Yourstarswillchange.TheshadowofShaniwillnolongerenvelopyou."Worshipfully,wenodded.'Tor

thepuja,“hecontinued,hiseyesfixedatthewallbehindus,“youwillhavetogiveadonation.^^

“Howmuch?”Amritaasked,fumblinginherpurse.

“Whateveryouwish,beti,whateveryouwish.WiththeblessingsofGodallwillbewell.Iwilldoaspecial

pujaforyou.”

Amritagavehimtwentyrupees.Hetookitandfingeredthenotesmeditatively.k4Mychild,thiswillsuffice

onlyforasmallpuja.ForyouIwillhavetoperformabigpuja.Orelsethetroublemaybecomeworse.n

40

“Chachaji,Ihaveverylittlemoney.”

Heshruggedhisshoulders.4tIfthatisyourwish,then.Thismaynotsufficetonegatetheevilinfluenceof

Shani.^^Itookouttenrupeesfrommybagandgaveittohim."Chachaji,thisisallwehave.”

Hesmiled,tookthemoneywithonehand,andpattedmycheekwiththeother.44Youareatruefriend,beti.

Youarealoyalfriend.Yourstarsaregood.YouwilldoanM.A.Itispossiblethatyouwillwork.Youwill

marryahandsomemanandhaveoneson,onedaughter.^^

“WhenwillIgetmarried,Chachaji?**

“Howoldareyou?”

45

“Sevenleen.”

“Insix,sevenyears,

“Willitbearranged?”

“Itwillbelove.Youwillhavealovemarriage??

“WillIgoabroad,Chachaji?”

50

“Manytimes,many,manytimes/,

“Thankyou,Chachaji,^^Isaid,quietlyecstatic.

HeturnedtoAmrita.uAfterIperformthepuja,yourstarswillchange.Youwillmarryahandsome,fair,

rich,influentialman.Youwillhavetwosonswhowillrisetopowerfulpositionsinthegovernment.Theywill

bringyoupower,fame,respect.Andyouwillalsotravelabroad,many,manytimes.”

Herose.Wefoldedourhands.

Theheathitusaswesteppedoutofthehouse.Wewalkedtowardsthebusstop.

55

“Ohno,Patram!”IgaspedandpulledAmritabackfromtheroad.Insilence,breathingheavily,westood

wherewewere.Akhaki-cladmanwalkedpastus.HewasnotPatram.Feelingfoolish,wecontinuedwalking.

Patramwastheomnipresent,omniscientpeon-cum-bodyguard-cum-regulator-of-rules,employedbyour

college,whowatchedtheboarderslikeahawkandreportedallourgoings-ontothesuperintendent.Heknew

whosneakedoutofthegatesbeforetherulespermitted,whoreturnedafter8p.m.,whosmoked,whohada

boyfriend.JustlastmonthtwogirlshadbeenexpelledfromthehostelafterPatramsmeltcigarettesmokeinthe

corridoroutsidetheirroomandinformedthesuperintendent.Thecasewentuptotheprincipal.Thegirls

pleadedwithherbutshewouldnotbudge.Shesaidthatshewouldnothavegirlsofsuchloosecharacterinher

college.Theyhadtoleave.Ifsomeonedecidedtosneakoutofthecollegegatesandseea1:30filmshow,

Patramwassuretoknow.Hewaseverywhere—inthemarkets,cinema,theatres,ConnaughtPlace.Welivedin

dreadofthefamouskhakidressandcapandthepermanentgrinonhisface.Thatmorningwehadwalkedoutof

thecollegebeforeofficialgoing-outtime,andtherehadbeennosignofPatram.Dressedinsareesforthefirst

timeinanefforttolookolder,wehadwalkedoutofthegates,awkwardlyandwithtrepidation.StillnoPatram.

Andnow,weakwithreliefatthefalsealarm,wewaitedforthebusthatwouldtakeustothegynecologist.It

arrivedalmostimmediately,andforonce,itwasnotcrowded."Fortyrupees,“Amritasaidasthebusbeganto

move."We'vespentfortyrupeestoday.”

Isaidnothing.Wehadjustahundredbetweenus.Wehadnoideahowmuchthegynecologistwouldtake.

Thepreviousday,inadesperatebidtomakesomemoney,wehadgonearoundthehostelcollectingold

newspapers,emptyjarsandbottles.Wehadfittedtheseintosixpolythenebagsandtrudgedtothenearby

market,tryingtoappearoblivioustothenoisetheymadeaswewalked,prayingthatthepolythenebagswould

notfallapart.Inthemarketwehadsquattedbeforethekabadiwalla0andbargainedatlength.Hehadsaidhe

wouldgiveustwentyrupeesforthewholelot.Wehadaskedforthirty.Hehadrefused.Wewalkedawayandhe

hadcalledusback.Twenty-five,hehadsaid.Sowestruckthebargain.Onthewayback,overcomebythesight

ofpastriesinthebakery,wehadspentmostofitonblackforests,lemontarts,chocolateeclairsandchicken

patties.Andnowwehadbarelyenoughforthegynecologist,letalonetheabortion.Maybe,Ithought,sheisn't

pregnantafterall.

Theclinicwasplush,beautifulandsmeltrich.Ourheartssank.WesatatthereceptionandwaitedAmrita's

turn.Therewasjustoneotherpersonthere,inabrightpinkchiffonsaree.Shestaredatus.Wethumbed

unseeinglythroughthemagazines.Shecontinuedstaring.

60

“She'sgoingtoaskquestions/5Amritamurmured.

“Lie.”

“What?”

“So,"saidthewoman,4tyouhavecometovisitDr.Kumar?”

Wenoddeddistantlyandwentbacktoourmagazines.

65

“Howoldareyouboth?”

'"Twenty,“Ilied.Beneathmysareemylegsbegantotremble.

“Acha?Youlookyounger.^^

Amritasmiled."That'sgood.”

Shecontinuedsurveyingusandherfacegrewgrim.Shedrewherpalla°overhershoulders."Areyou

married?^^

70

“Yes,"Isaid.

“No,"saidAmrita.

“Acha?”SheturnedashockedfacetowardsAmrita."Thenwhatareyoudoinghere?”

“Periodproblems,saidAmritaandwentbacktohermagazine.

“Whatproblems?^^

75

“IrregularJIsaid.

“Toofrequent,^^saidAmrita.

Shesmiledknowingly.'Thereseemstobesomeconfusionabouttheproblem,yes?"Wedidnotreply.She

turnedhergazeonme."Soareyouthemarriedone?”

“Yes.”

“Youdon'tlookmarried.Howoldareyou?”

80

'"Twenty.”

“Sowhatisyourproblem?”

'Tmaccompanyingmyfriend.”

"Acha!SothemarriedfriendisaccompanyingtheunmarriedfriendtothegynecologistSheknew,she

knew.Shefingeredhermangalsutra.0"Itseemstomethatneitherofyouismarried.^^Shewaited.<4Andifthatis

so,Godknowswhatyouaredoinghere.”

Thenursecalled,4tMrs.Mehta,yourturnplease.”

85

Sherose,exudingastrongwhiffofIntimateasshedid,andwalkedin.

“Bitch,“saidAmrita.

Tenminuteslater,Mrs.Mehtaemerged,gaveusameaningfullookandleft.

Wewentin,satoppositeDr.Kumarandbegantocry.

Shewaswonderful.Shespoketousinlow,comfortingtones,gaveustissues,gotuscoldwaterandhadthe

nurseserveustea.Finally,red-nosedandswollen-eyed,wewerequiet.

90

SheturnedtoAmrita."You'repregnant?^^

“Ithinkso.”

“Letmecheckyou.”

IsatintheroomwhilesheandAmritawentintotheadjoiningroom.Whentheyemerged,Iknewitwas

confirmed.Amritasatnexttome.Shewastrembling.Iputmyhandonherknee.

Dr.Kumar'seyes,brownandgentle,lookedtroubled.Sheremindedmeofmymother.ButIcouldnottell

mymotherifIwerepregnant.

95

“Howmuchwillanabortioncost?”askedAmrita.

Dr.Kumarrestedherfaceagainstherhand.<4Doestheboyknow?”

“No.There'snoneedforhimtoknow.”

“So,youdon?tintendmarryinghim?”

“No.Howmuchwillitcost?”

100

Dr.Kumarwassilent.Finallyshesaid,"It'sathousandrupeesinthisclinic.^^AmritaandIlookedateach

otherindespair.Wedidn'tevenhaveahundred.Dr.Kumar,hereyesfullofcompassion,suggestedthatthere

weregovernmenthospitalswhereitcouldbedoneforaboutahundredrupees.Shewouldgiveustheaddresses.

Sensingmyapprehension,sheassuredmethattheywereperfectlysafe.Asfbrtheabortion—peoplewere

havingitallthetime.Shepaused,thensaid,“Amrita,wouldyouliketotakeyourparentsintoyourconfidence?”

SeeingAmrita'sface,shegentlycontinued,"Sometimes,beti,wetendtomisjudgeourparents.OftenIhey'rethe

bestpeopletoturntoatsuchtimes.,,

“Lastyear,“Amritawhispered,“ourneighbor'sdaughtergotpregnant.Shethrewherselfinfrontofa

passingtrain.Herparentsrefusedtoclaimherbody.Andmyfathersaid,thatishowitshouldbe.”

“Yourmother?”

"Whatcouldshesay?Shecriedfordays.AndMacan'tkeepanythingtoherself.She'lltellmyfather.”

Dr.Kumarseemedlostinthought.Aftersometimeshesighedandsaid,“Areyoubothinthehostel?J,We

nodded."So,yourparentsarenotinDelhi?”Weshookourheads."Isee."Shewrotedownafewaddressesand

gavethemtous.Werosetoleave."Wait,“shesaid,andproceededtogiveusafifteen-minutetalkon

contraception.Wide-eyedandquiveringwithembarrassment,Ilistened.IcouldbarelylookDr.Kumarinthe

eyeasshesystematicallywentthroughitall.Howdidpeopleeverbuythesethings?Howdidtheylookchemists

intheeye?Howdidtheyevergetdowntoit?Amritalookedtiredbutunembarrassed,noddingfromtimetotime.

AfterDr.Kumarfinished,shesaid,"Don'tbesofoolishnexttime."Wegotup.Shesaid,“Amrita,you're

alreadytwomonthsgone.Don'twaitmuchlonger."Amritanodded.

105

Dr.Kumarrefusedtotakeanymoney.

Itwasfivewhenwereachedthehostel.Wechangedoutofoursareesandlookedateachother.

“Marryhim,AmritaJIsaidtentatively.

“Please,"Amritareplied,"you'llneverunderstand.n

Ididn't.Ididn'tunderstandatall.IlikedRakesh;hewashandsome,bright,funtobewith.Hesmelt

wonderfullyofaftershaveandhadgivenusourfirstmotorcyclerides.He'ssonice,IhadoftentoldAmrita,so

nice.Butshesaidhehadnoaestheticsense.Shedidn'twantnice.Shedidn'twanttogetmarriedaftercollege.

Shedidn'twanttoenduplikeherparents.Shewantedadventure.I,halfinlovewithRakesh,hisaftershaveand

hismotorcycle,wassurehewouldprovideadventure.Shescoffe