That winter Gaj was married to Uma, and a small function was held first at the bride’s place and then at Gagan’s house the next day.

Things were fine between them till the time they did not know each other. As Gaj’s drinking habits got worse without much finances, Uma got sick of him soon. The normal talk was replaced by a shouting match between them. It was like who could outdo the other in shouting and as if they were trying to say something to a person sitting two houses down the lane.

It was indeed a miracle when Uma gave birth to Anil. People wondered if Gaj and Uma had any time for copulation. Not that, the newborn child had any effect on their daily shouting games.

Dharam and his family were in their own colony house and separated from the Mishra struggles. Occasions would bring them over and compel him to perform the elder brother’s duties. Anu wanted minimal interactions she had her own family to support and was always dreading the interaction lest it results in some form of financial liability on them.

One day while sitting at home, having tea, Dharam said, “Shamu is getting married and we would have to go and check with Ma, you should also go there and help her out. There would be umpteen things that would have to be done”.

“Look we will go a couple of days before and on the day of marriage, don’t expect anything more from me. I don’t want to get too much into them as the next demand from them would be for money”.

“Maintaining some distance from that family is better, we are also just starting and must settle down first, with Naman there are so many things we must do and it has its costs, you don’t get a ton of money to spare at the end of the month. How do you think we are going to support them”

“You need to be a little bit more practical don’t be emotional about it. You have certain responsibilities for your wife, your son, and the new baby Vicky born in January, they are all dependent on you”

“Everyone manages, I am sure they will also find a way to cope with things”, she said.

“But ..” Dharam wanted to say something then stopped himself and went towards the balcony holding his cup thinking about what Anu had just said.

Things were settling in the Mishra household too, Shamu got married to Kamla and Lekh to Kajal the following year.

Sheila still worried about Raju and Ram and would often talk about their education to Prabha when she visited her during the winter holidays

Gaj got a big contract to build some housing complexes for pilgrims coming to the big temple town of Badrinath.

People in the house were happy that maybe he will start on his own now. Gaj traveled to the town and stayed there for some months, work was proceeding and the housing complex was towards its completion. One day he came home and Sheila seeing him come home after a long time was happy to see him.

“Has the work been completed in Badrinath early, you were supposed to come next month”.

“No, it is towards completion but my partner is not giving me money and I am in debt”

“Did you ask him for money”?

“No, I can’t beg in front of him. So, I left and came home”.

“You idiot, why did you leave, you have so much money riding on that project. It is your money why don’t you ask him”.

A couple of days later Sheila again asked him if he had asked him for his money and he again replied in the negative.

Lekh had come over for a vacation, and he heard about Gaj’s money woes and told Sheila that he will go and ask his partner for Gaj’s money.

If a person is not serious about his money, why would a debtor be serious about giving it back? So, Lakh’s visit to the partner was met with denials and some excuses but the money wasn’t paid.

When Prabha had come over in the winter, she asked Gaj why he did not ask for his money, “Money is very important, why don’t you ask him and get your fair share, you are not cheating or doing anything wrong in it”, she asked him.

“I can’t beg in front of people; Money is like the scum of my hands”

“Say that when you have a lot of money, not right now when you have nothing.

“If you can’t do business, why don’t you look for some stable income job at least”

“I keep salaried jobs under my shoe. I look at them with disdain and will spurn them if they come my way. Salaried jobs are below my dignity”.

“You have a family to support, Anil is growing, and for god’s sake even Uma would have some dreams of her own, who will she go to for money, you have no money but tons of attitude”, she said sounding frustrated with him”.

Gaj walked away without replying to her.

Nobody took Uma seriously in the house, she was looked down on as if she couldn’t take care of Gaj, as if it was the purpose they got her married to him.

Prem would talk to her normally and so when he would come over Uma would talk to him, as he was nice to her. She would sometimes laugh and be happy around him.

Prabha did not like this, she suspected Prem to be having an affair with Uma and one day confronted him.

“Prem am I not able to keep you happy why do you have to have an affair with Uma of all people” as if she would have accepted anyone else.

“Are you out of your mind, why would I have an affair with her, I just try to be nice to her as no one talks to her properly. She is not responsible for Gaj’s actions for which she is being held accountable by your family.”

He was furious with her and walked off and went back to Shiv’s house.

Sheila saw him leaving, “why is he leaving so soon, you could have asked him to have lunch at least.”

Prabha did not answer her and left for the other room.

Prem did not come for a couple of days. Prabha realized that maybe she was overthinking.

The next day he went over to Shiv’s house and apologized.