Chapter 1: Family

Awaken by the tweeting of birds, I propped my head up against the wall, gawking continuously at the ceiling in deep thoughts, till I realized it was already 4:00 am. I got up from bed slothfully walking towards the window and peeping at the silent streets of Agra. It is not always that peaceful but today it was unusual it felt like the streets were deserted. I waved at the newspaper guy from my window as he tossed the newspaper at the staircase. "Hello, Mr Shiv! Hope you are doing well?" as he grins broadly at me." I am doing well. How about yourself?". "Am fine thank you. By the way did you hear about the strike today?" Without letting me answer he continues, "Because of a shopkeeper brutely killed by goons as he asked them to pay their debts. All the shops remain closed as the mob want Justice for the deceased, till action is taken as by the law." That explained a lot on why the streets felt abandoned. "No, I haven't," I replied as I walked downstairs to grab the newspaper.

My mother whom we call "Ama" was busy in the kitchen murmuring to herself as she was preparing her special homemade Pancakes. I kissed her forehead while I grasped pancakes to my plate "Shiv! There is something I have to talk to you about. I don't mean to stress you but you see your father is no longer with us. You are our only support. Your salary is not enough and Leela is to be married off soon and till now we haven't started devising. Also, the groom side has demanded dowry. I know you work hard however your salary is not enough to run the house." She stopped and gazed down depressingly, perhaps she was disappointed. I got on my knees and interrupted, 'Don't worry Ama, I will take a part-time job at Mr Sharma. He wants to hire someone who can handle accounting for his emporium.' "Thank you, son," she sounded relieved as if a burden was removed from her shoulders. As a teacher at a primary school, I was paid a meagre wage. It almost got over before it even got home. Well, my father was an accountant at a well-esteemed firm, so I would accompany him at his workplace and he would teach me a little bit of accounting. In fact, because of him, I got a job there. I worked for almost a year and a half until I realized my ambition was teaching. I enjoy teaching children. It felt like developing future leaders for our country. Students also respect me for who I am that's why never considered working elsewhere.

On my way to work, I kept thinking about the dowry issue back at home and why it always had to be a national issue in our country. Many women in our society are tortured, killed or sent back to their parental home if the demand was not fulfilled as agreed to. I never encouraged offering or accepting it. Knowing that I alone cannot change the universe make me feel disgusted, also feeling gloomy for people who unwillingly have to pay for it especially the poor. However, because of society, they were willing to sell anything even if it's their organs to settle the agreement. Also felt feeble as though there was nothing, I could do for Leela, as she was compelled to get married to a man twice her age. In our Hindu scriptures, it was believed that it's a massive sin marrying outside the caste as the Gods get displeased considering it immoral and curse you and your future generation. Poor Leela enamoured someone who believed in a different deity. If anyone tries to pluck up the courage against the convention, they would get terminated. Our uncle was the head priest of the temple and when he found out about them, he quickly resolved the issue by glancing a proposal for Leela without even asking for our acquiescence, as though his reputation was going to get tarnished because of her. Poor Leela must have felt devastated. She couldn't even escape as she is cooped up in her room.

I reached school on time. Normally, I prefer coming to school early to prepare my schedule and notes on the topics being taught, then later proceed to class to begin my day teaching. The hours passed so quickly that couldn't realize it was already lunchtime. Swiftly I grabbed my belongings and left for the cafeteria. My old buddy Kishan was waiting for me to arrive so that we would have lunch together. He was my only friend since childhood, we schooled together and are also colleagues in the same school. He taught history to the kids. While I was a math and chemistry teacher. We enjoyed each other's company as we gabbled till the bell rang as then parted ways.

As usual, after lunch, I immediately go to the staff room to prepare myself for the next class. That day I got distracted on a phone call thinking why Ama's calling me at this time of the day. Instantaneously, I bumped into a gorgeous lady, who looked like she was in her early 20's. Her hair was loosely tied and her bangs flew as the wind was blowing covering her red cheeks and rosy lips. She had such erotic eyes that spoke a thousand words, without her saying a word. It was like she was a damsel. couldn't help myself but stare at her. It was like she was some sort of magic. She pouts her lips which I found cute as she began collecting her books which fell on the ground. I kneeled to help her pick the books. She noticed me staring at her making me quickly turning away embarrassed. "I am so sorry," she said. "It was also my fault I got distracted talking over the phone," I replied pointing at the phone. Her accent sounded like she was from overseas, by her dressing one could judge that she was not from India. As in the early 1900s ladies wore traditional attire whilst, she wore a red-coloured formal skirt and white a blouse. "Could you please direct me to the school principal's office?" I showed her the way. "Thanks," she said in a friendly tone as she walked away. Once again Ama ringed to me. I picked up the call to ask her if everything was OK. But before I could do that, she told me to get home as soon as possible. Her voice sounded like she was frightened which made me worried. So left for home immediately.