Chapter 1
Episode 1
Tiruchirappalli, located in the central part of Tamil Nadu in India, is an ancient and historically rich city. After Coimbatore and Kochi, it stands as the sixth largest city. Based on area, it is the third largest, and by population, the fourth largest city in the state. Situated on the banks of the River Cauvery, Tiruchirappalli once served as the capital of the early Cholas during the Sangam era. Even today, it remains one of Tamil Nadu’s most important cities, bustling with life from the early hours of the morning.
Bharathi came running toward the bus that had been parked a little away from the bus stand. Pushing through the crowd, she hurriedly climbed in and moved forward to buy a ticket. Just then, a familiar voice rang in her ears.
“Hey Bharu… hey… here… here… Bharu…”
Turning toward the sound, Bharathi’s eyes landed on Sandhiya. The woman seated beside Sandhiya got down at the same stop. Quickly placing her handbag to reserve the seat, Sandhiya gestured for Bharathi to come and sit beside her. Smiling back, Bharathi walked over and sat next to Akshaya.
“In just two more days, it’s the Annual Day,” Sandhiya sighed. “We haven’t completed even a single work properly. If we don’t finish everything on time today, both of us will be dragged out by our necks.”
“Did I ask you to roam around instead of working?” Bharathi shot back.
“Oh goddess… mother… I’m begging you with folded hands,” Sandhiya pleaded dramatically. “Please stay till seven this evening and finish the work. Pleaseee…”
“Hey Sandhiya, are you joking?” Bharathi snapped. “My daughter will be alone at home. The school bus will drop her by six. I’m not coming for your drama. If I don’t have this job, I’ll survive somehow—even by running a street cart if I have to. But without my child, I have no life.”
“Please da… apart from you, who do I have?” Sandhiya asked softly. “Have you forgotten?”
“Stop it,” Bharathi interrupted sharply. “I know exactly what you’re going to say now. Do you remember? Three years ago, on this very road, when you met with an accident, I was the one who gave my blood—liters of it—to save you. If I hadn’t come to see you that day, what would have happened to you and Mayuri now? Isn’t that what you’re going to say? I’ve heard this dialogue so many times that it’s become a recorded tape.”
Sandhiya tried to interrupt, but Bharathi didn’t let her speak.
“So now, because of that favor, I have to help you with everything? Otherwise, I should return the blood you gave me—sorry, sorry—five liters of blood, right?” Bharathi mocked, scrunching her nose and glaring at Sandhiya.
“Please don’t repeat that dialogue. I’ve memorized it already. When I hear your torture, I feel like immediately returning that one bottle of blood. First it was one liter, then three liters, now it’s five liters. A human body only has five and a half liters of blood. But you say you gave five liters! If there were a PhD for lying, you should get it.”
Grabbing Bharathi’s wrist affectionately, Sandhiya pleaded again.
“Please da… just finish this work for me. I’ll take care of Mayuri like my own child.”
Unable to refuse anymore, Bharathi finally sighed.
“Okay. Just this one time, I’ll do it for you.”
“Thank you!” Sandhiya exclaimed, hugging her tightly.
The two got down at the bus stop.
“Hurry, hurry! It’s getting late! If that soda-bottle fellow locks the gate, we’ll have to sign the late entry register,” Sandhiya yelled as they ran.
“Shut up and run fast,” Bharathi snapped, racing ahead. “You keep talking nonsense all the time.”
Reaching the school, Bharathi showed her face at the biometric scanner. Mukundan, the fifty-year-old attendant, immediately held out the late entry slip.
“One minute late,” he said, adjusting his spectacles.
Seeing his attitude, Sandhiya muttered under her breath,
“He thinks he owns the school! Just one minute late and he cuts our salary. In the morning, he makes us sign for one minute late—but has he ever sent us early in the evening? No conscience at all.”
Mukundan, not hearing clearly, adjusted his hearing device.
“What did you say, madam?”
“Nothing, sir… just talking to her,” Sandhiya replied innocently.
“Talking can wait. Teachers’ meeting is going on upstairs. Go quickly, or you’ll get scolded for that too.”
“Thank you very much, sir,” Bharathi said politely, dragging Sandhiya toward the stairs.
“For one minute late, he’ll cut half a day’s salary, and you’re thanking him?” Sandhiya whispered angrily. “Do you even have sense?”
“I guess not,” Bharathi smiled. “Otherwise, would I be friends with Sandhiya?”
Sandhiya burst into laughter, panting as she climbed.
“Hey, slow down! I can’t climb so fast.”
“Come quickly,” Bharathi urged. “Otherwise, we’ll be scolded in front of everyone.”
“How do you climb so fast? Even after having a child, you’re so slim and beautiful. You don’t even look like a married woman with a kid. You should get married again. Your husband already said he doesn’t want you, right?”
Bharathi froze like a statue. Slowly turning back, she spoke in a cold, firm voice.
“Didn’t I tell you never to talk or ask about my personal life?”
Realizing the sharpness in her tone, Sandhiya immediately apologized.
“Sorry… so sorry… I didn’t mean it. Please don’t keep it in your heart.”
Without responding, Bharathi climbed the stairs rapidly. Sandhiya followed behind. Reaching the first floor, Bharathi merged into the crowd and began listening to the principal’s speech.
Sandhiya leaned close and whispered,
“Bharu… please… sorry.”
“Shhh…” Bharathi placed a finger on her lips, signaling silence.
“This is our 25th Annual Day,” the principal announced. “A famous business magnate will be our chief guest. According to duty allotment, stand with your teams. Refreshment team, come here.”
“Go, go… move forward,” Sandhiya pushed Bharathi ahead.
“Bharathi, from welcoming the guest to sending him off, your team will handle everything. There should be no mistakes.”
“Sure, ma’am. We’ll be careful,” Bharathi replied.
The principal then looked at Bharathi and said firmly,
“I’m trusting you, Bharathi.”
As the principal walked away, Sandhiya complained,
“Even now, that king cobra hasn’t noticed me. Only you’re visible to everyone.”
“Uff… will you keep quiet?” Bharathi snapped.
Her phone vibrated.
“Didn’t you submit your mobile today?” Sandhiya asked.
Without answering, Bharathi walked toward the dance practice room. Tying her wavy hair into a bun, she removed her dupatta and dressed appropriately for dance. Playing music on her phone, she began dancing gracefully, the students following her lead.
“That’s all for today. Practice on your own now. It’s six already. Let’s go. We’ll practice tomorrow,” she said.
Adjusting her clothes, Bharathi stepped outside the school—just as rain began pouring. Holding her bag over her head, she ran forward.
“Hey, look there… that girl looks like Divya,” someone said nearby.
