Mallika: Small talk, big talk
1975
My three friends reacted strongly to the Charu story.
‘Why did that Charu confide in you?’
‘Suppose her parents start blaming you?’
‘Why you – why didn’t she tell Randhir?’
‘She’s not normal.’
‘Don’t have anything to do with her from now on.’
Ma was no less unequivocal. ‘She’s not your close friend – you owe her nothing. Distance yourself from her. She’s ill. It’s her parents’ responsibility, not yours.’
Shantamama said, ‘Why do people always confide their rubbish in you? It’s bad for your health – don’t listen.’
‘Pagli,’ said Madhu Aunty. ‘Total lunatic.’
Charu never came back to college. After a few months, we heard that she’d gotten married to a very handsome IAS officer and was pregnant. The boy’s parents had asked for a very big dowry, b
