Voting · The Salt Road · Pulse Beat
Nobody spoke for a very long time. Then the women began, one by one, to move. Pooja's mother first, stepping forward in her bright faded dupatta, then a grandmother with a face like a walnut, then…
Nobody spoke for a very long time.
Then the women began, one by one, to move. Pooja's mother first, stepping forward in her bright faded dupatta, then a grandmother with a face like a walnut, then three sisters, then a dozen more. They did not say anything. They stood in a line in front of the crate. By some old, silent understanding, the men gradually joined them.
Of the nineteen families that had signed, fourteen came to Kavita after the meeting and asked, with downcast eyes, whether it was too late to take it back.
"Mrs Dastur says no," said Kavita. "A promise made by trickery can be undone." She looked at Jayesh, standing beside her. "Isn't that right?"
"I suppose it is," he said slowly. He had not spoken all morning. His face was grey. "Kavita. I need to say something."
"Not now."
"Now." He turned to the crowd, to Mohan, to their father in his chair. "I lied to all of you. I lost my job in March. I have a debt, and I was going to let Sethi buy this place to pay it. I'm sorry." His voice cracked. "I'm sorry."