Dollar Bahu Read online

  There was no communication any more between Gouramma and Vinuta, other than instructions concerning household chores. The initial bridge of affection and trust seemed to have rusted.

  Chandru had brought a lot of toys for Harsha but Vinuta pointed out, ‘You should not be spending so much money on Harsha. We cannot afford such expensive gifts in return.’ Chandru was stunned that Vinuta would make a comment like this. She was the one person he knew who had never bothered about status or money.

  ‘Vinuta, Harsha is the first grandchild of our family and he will always get the best,’ said Chandru, hoping that would put the matter to rest.

  Gouramma’s long-standing dream was about to come true. She had been expressing, for some time now, her wish to visit America in order to take care of her Dollar Bahu during her pregnancy and after the delivery. But Shamanna was equally insistent on not going. ‘I can’t stay away from Harsha for such a long time. You can go, and take your time to come back.’

  So it was decided that Gouramma would go to America on her own. She began her preparations. She would call Jamuna regularly to ask what she could bring. The atmosphere in the house became even more America centric. Everyone secretly awaited Gouramma’s departure.

  Gouramma prayed in different temples for the well-being and safe delivery of her Dollar Bahu’s baby. Surabhi bought an expensive sari for her dear sister-in-law. Gouramma also prepared lots of delicious eatables, masala powders, chutneys and pickles, which she packed in a separate bag.

  ‘Amma, please remember that you also have a son here. You can probably open a shop with the quantity and varieties you have prepared. How about leaving some for us?’ the normally docile Girish joked.

  ‘Girish, you are in India. You can go out and eat in any restaurant. Poor Jamuna, where can she go?’

  Vinuta watched in silence. She remembered how they had treated her when she was pregnant: no gifts, no sweets, not even a tender word. ‘If you want to buy anything or eat anything, you can go and eat outside with Girish,’ was what she had been told. When Harsha was born, Gouramma had sent one hundred rupees on the occasion of his naming ceremony. Vinuta felt all this was so unfair, especially when she had always done whatever Gouramma expected of her. But she said nothing.

  Jamuna’s mother too sent plenty of gifts for her daughter. Immediately, Gouramma was worried. ‘I have bought a gold chain for the baby and a silk sari for Jamuna. Do you think it is enough? Our gifts should not look small in front of what her parents have given.’

  The normally calm Shamanna lost his temper. ‘Go and stay with your son for a good five years. Thousands of people go abroad to help with their children’s deliveries. You behave as if your daughter-in-law is the only one in the world who is pregnant . . . The day you board the flight, I shall have my first night of peaceful sleep in years!’

  ‘You have never taken me anywhere,’ Gouramma shot back. ‘It is my good fortune that I have a son and a daughter-in-law like Chandru and Jamuna. They have called me to the US with such affection. You people are just jealous.’

  That night, Surabhi and Gouramma had a whispered conference. ‘Amma, I have convinced Suresh that he must go abroad and take up a job. I don’t want to stay home and look after my father-in-law. It will be fun to live abroad. But Suresh says he has to take up the bar exam there.’

  ‘It is an excellent idea,’ Gouramma said enthusiastically. ‘Anyway, I will be there for a year. You can both come and stay with Jamuna. Suresh can prepare for his exams and I am sure he will get through.’

  ‘It is not just that, Amma. Travel will cost a lot of money, and we will need to live in their house for a year.’

  With complete confidence Gouramma said, ‘Of course Jamuna will take care of that. She is very generous. She loves you and she will obey me. Start your preparations.’

  Surabhi returned to Hyderabad, duly reassured.

  The following day, when Shamanna heard of this plan, he was most upset. ‘Once the children are married, we should not interfere in their lives. They are all grown up. Staying in somebody’s house for a year! Chandru may not like it, and we do not know the situation there.’

  ‘I know my son and daughter-in-law very well. They will definitely do it for Surabhi,’ Gouramma retorted.

  EIGHTEEN

  Chandru’s friend Ashwat and his wife, a Kannada-speaking couple from Bangalore, were to fly to Nashville and Chandru arranged for his mother to fly with them. He also sent the plane ticket, along with a letter about the things that she could or couldn’t carry on the plane and other bits of advice.

  Gouramma did not enjoy the flight. She felt uncomfortable with the seat belt on. She found it difficult to use the toilet. She was a vegetarian and did not like the food she was served. Besides, she could not eat unless she had had a bath. And she was nervous. But all those troubles vanished when the plane touched down at Nashville airport, and when she walked out and saw Chandru waiting for her. Emotion choked her as soon as she saw her beloved son in this wonderful country. She was unable to speak.

  It was a small airport and Chandru collected the luggage and put it in the boot of the car. Gouramma took one look at the splendid car and puffed with pride. ‘Jamuna had sent a picture of the car to us. Is it the same one?’

  ‘Yes, Amma.’

  ‘Why did she not come to receive me?’

  ‘She had to go to office. She will be back before we reach home.’

  ‘How can she be working in this advanced stage of pregnancy?’

  ‘Here women work till the last day . . .’

  Gouramma happily sat back in the comfortable car to enjoy the drive. Chandru leaned over to fasten her seat belt, but she protested, ‘I am not a small child that I am going to fall off my seat. Remove this belt.’

  ‘No, Amma. It is the law in this country.’

  As a matter of routine, Gouramma had expected Jamuna to come to the airport and welcome her respectfully. Hadn’t she herself gone to drop and pick up Jamuna at Bangalore airport, every time? Even Jamuna’s mother had not bothered on a few occasions.

  This was the first shock, but in the excitement of seeing America for the first time, Gouramma mentally pardoned Jamuna. She caught glimpses of the scenery, the wide roads, the high-speed cars, and was amazed. Though it was cold outside, it was quite warm in the car. There was a fascinating variety of trees on both sides of the road. There was hardly anyone walking on the road though. She sighed and thought to herself, this is America. What a difference between this land and India. No teeming crowds or cyclists pushing their way through, no rickshaws, cows, bulls, donkeys, horses, hand-carts; just zooming cars and more cars. The Hindu epics describe different kinds of worlds like nagaloka, yakshaloka, kinnaraloka. What kind of loka is this?

  Chandru spoke, and she switched off thoughts of the unnamed loka. ‘How is everyone at home? How is Harsha?’

  ‘Oh, he has grown up to be very naughty. When I was about to leave, he held on to my pallu and insisted that he wanted to come along. But when he was told that his grandfather was not going, he promptly let go. They are very attached to each other.’

  ‘Harsha is so lucky. He is enjoying the love of both grandparents. I wish Appa had come. It would have been wonderful.’

  ‘You know your father. He is not interested in anything. He could have seen this great country with his own eyes. Instead, he has chosen to stay back. Thank God he allowed me to come! Never mind that now. Tell me, how is Jamuna? When is she due?’

  ‘She is due in another fifteen days. We are going to have a baby girl. We have decided to name her Manasi.’

  Gouramma was surprised. Everything had been decided before the delivery. Back in India, no preparations were made before the birth of the child.

  Soon Chandru stopped the car in front of a large bungalow with a huge front lawn. A cement road ran through it, apparently for cars. What sort of office is this? wondered Gouramma.

  Chandru said, ‘Come on, Amma. We are home.’

  ‘Th