Free The Onus of Ancestry by Arpita Mogford Page A

tangle, we must trim it soon – no wonder the thoughts are unable to escape – now tell me, girl, what is it that worries you?”
    â€œBut you have still not answered me – am I pretty?”
    â€œOh dear, what can I say to this madness of yours? Yes, my child, you are pretty, you are growing more beautiful each day. Why do you think your mother guards you like an Alsatian?” She laughed as she finished speaking. She also grabbed a black pencil from Dwita’s dresser and put a dot on her chin with it.
    â€œWhat’s that for, Mahama?”
    â€œTo keep the evil eye of the devil away.”
    *
    Barun Mitra was probably a devil, Dwita had mused later, for he had not appeared again for some weeks, until she found him one evening in the corridors of the Ecole Française, outside her classroom.

CHAPTER VI
    The friendship between Barun and Dwita developed – they were similar people in many ways and liked doing the same things. They met often at the library, at debates and other alumni events, not to speak of the French classes, which M. Armand thought Barun had joined to enjoy Mlle Dwita’s company rather than to learn French. Barun was a lively and vivacious companion, popular with St Augustus and St Cecilia students; through him she met many other students and together they formed a large group which was involved in multifarious social and academic activities.
    Parna was not aware of Dwita’s extensive circle of friends as she never brought them home, except for the few her mother knew from Sacred Memorial days. Dwita was well aware that any change in her routine, conduct or relationships would lead to unnecessary trauma and increased vigilance on her mother’s part.
    The tip of the summer sun which Barun had brought into her limited horizon had only touched the edge of the iceberg; it had not melted it. He had made her aware of herself and she was now more conscious of others’ eyes upon her. She even paid more heed to Maheshwari’s beauty aids and had begun to choose her own clothes and do her hair more carefully.
    Barun was different. His feelings for Dwita had grown into a deep attachment. He felt an increasing need to be near her and became more possessive of her and their relationship. This began to concern Dwita – to her Barun was a very special person, a dear friend, towards whom she vibrated with warmth and fondness, but not love. Barun was senior to her at university. He had completed his post-graduate studies ahead of her and was poised to advance further into academia outside his country. He watched Dwita’s progress with patient interest as he continued to weave plans for their future together.
    Dwita graduated in time with good results and Parna was delighted with her performance, but it was Mahama who said wistfully to her, “I wish Dima were here today, she would have been so pleased, and proud of you. She could have found you a handsome prince.”
    â€œMahama, these days handsome princes don’t grow on trees, nor do I need one. I think the worms have now moved from my head to yours.”
    But when she met Barun to give him the good news, he had looked at her strangely and then asked, “What comes next? What are your plans, do you wish to continue?”
    â€œYes, of course. I wish to continue for another two years with English and then try for the Union Public Service Examinations.”
    â€œWhy Dwita – why that? You know that the women in our public services are not allowed to lead a normal family life.”
    â€œWhat do you mean by that? What is normal family life?”
    â€œMarriage, for instance,” he ventured, looking straight at her.
    â€œAh, marriage – but who said I was interested in marriage? I wish to work, travel, breathe – marriage is the last thing on my mind.”
    â€œIs it? But you can equally do something else – for example, read law, be a barrister. How about that? Let a