RECAP
Sandhya is contemplating how she would arrange for the huge amount of money that Murali had asked for. She opens hers almirah and finds the wooden box in it in which she used to treasure the currency notes she got from Bhargava after making love with his. She counts them and finds them to make fifteen thousand. She makes up for the remaining five thousand by selling the wedding necklace that she wore on karwa chauth when she observed a fast for Bhargava. She calls up Dr Sanjeevani to tell her that Kaya will reach them by 6 the next morning. Then, she goes to Murali and hands over the money to him. She asks him if he could be trusted. Murali says that he needed this money as he was planning to go from that place forever. He does not want his daughter to be a prostitute some day. Sandhya asks him to wait for them at 3 in the night at the Kali Mandir and drop Kaya to the NGO safely.
CHAPTER 22
When she reached the brothel, before doing anything, Sandhya entered Kaya’s room and said, “My child! Everything’s done. Just pack you luggage. We’ll see Murali tonight at 3 at the Kali Mandir. He’ll take you that NGO.”
“Really, ma! Will I really be able to escape?” her eyes twinkled.
But soon the spark in her eyes faded away, “But ma! How will we go out? You know, Malini ma chains the gate at night and keeps it bolted with a big iron lock.”
“How did I miss on that?” thought Sandhya.
After a brief pause, she said, “Something will be done. I trust my God.”
Kaya began to pack her luggage. Both the women were eagerly waiting for the night. The day became as long as an epoch. Finally that much-awaited hour came. They both quietly descended the stairs and reached the gate.
“Look at this, ma!” Kaya chirped, “Malini ma forgot to lock the gate.”
“Thank God for small mercies!” Sandhya was equally happy.
They gently removed the lock and the chains and moved out. A five-minute-walk took them to the Kali Mandir. Murali was waiting for them.
Sandhya gave her a longing look one last time and said, “Go Kaya! A new life awaits you.”
A tear trickled down her cheeks. She embraced her and said, “Thank you, ma! Thank you so much.”
“Come on! Daughters are not supposed to thank their mothers. It was my duty.”
She then turned to Murali and said, “Drive safely and I wish a better life to you too.”
Murali smiled and drove away with Kaya. Sandhya folded her hands and looked at the idol of Ma Kali in the temple. Once again, she looked at the deserted road. The taxi had gone. She came back to the brothel floating inches above the ground.
Reaching there, she quietly chained the gate as it was and crept into her room.
In the morning, smoke and a nauseating stench woke her up. She got up and looked out of the window. The meat shop was on fire. She smirked and kept on looking at it. Her eyes caught the reflection of fire. They looked illuminated. Everyone in the brothel was looking for Kaya… except Malini. This was the first time in the past thirty years that she had forgotten to lock the door.
* * THE END **
Good ending Neha, but I was looking for more on what awaited Sandhya...perhaps a sequel?
Congrats on the new novel news...looking forward to that
Suneetha
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Suneetha,
Now that this novel has come to an end, I can tell all my readers about it. Had I stuck to the original end of the novel, which I had thought, my novel would have contained 17 chapters. It would have ended on the point when Bhargava deserts Sandhya and she finds the butcher discarding the stale meat. But it was all because of my wonderful readers (especially you, Irene and my ex-boss and a great friend Lima) that I thought of changing the end. You didn't want Sandhya to succumb to the circumstances. So, I added the next 5 chapters and showed her strength.
Hmmm... a sequel can still be thought. In fact, your comment, as usual, is giving me food dor ideas. I think, it can be worked out.
Thanks a lot for reading it and giving your comments. You were one of my most honest critics, Suneetha!
Hope you like my next novel as well, whose theme is diametrically opposite to this one.
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wow, so Malini didn't lock on purpose or what...? did she have a human side too? i hope so... nice end, especially the fire bit. and congrats on the new novel.
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Thanks for reading, Irene! I left the question of Malini open to the readers' imagination. She was indeed a muli-faceted character.
Hope you like my new novel as well!
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A nice end to a nice story!
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Thanks a lot, Suman!
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Malini ki jai ho!!
as a reader i wud loveeeeeeee to think that she left the door open!!!
and i m so happy i will get to read another one from u!!
u r some mean novel churning machine
best of luck sweetheart.
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Thanks for reading, Chhaya! The last line was intended to make my readers think and keep guessing about Malini's character.
Hope you like the next novel!
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An end worth all the praise to you..And Congratulaions for the begining of your new short novel. Lets see where that one takes us...
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Thank you, Ila! Hmm... the next novel is going to take you into a world very different from that of this one!
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Great happy ending Neha. You write so well !
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Thanks Jasmin! You are a great writer as well. Loved reading your ‘My Taara Zameen Par’!!!
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The positive ending of the tale made one hopeful again.
Looking forward to your new novel.
Chandra
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Thanks for your inspiring comments, Chandra!
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Hi Neha! An open ended novel is the most tantalising way to capture your readers' attention. Good work on the ending. It leaves the reader still engrossed in the characters' lives and what could have happenend to each one of them.
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Thank you so much, Sucharita! I think, I should readlly consider Suneetha's suggestion and think about its sequel!
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hi! neha. finally i took time to read ur novel's end. it is really very beautiful. 'Everyone in the brothel was looking for Kaya… except Malini. This was the first time in the past thirty years that she had forgotten to lock the door.' these three lines have given the whole novel a drastic end.
and u left readers to eagerly wait for ur new venture. best of luck!!!!!!!!
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Hey Megs, that was so wonderful of you to take time to read the novel. Please go through the next novel as well, it will help you in your future! Hehehehe...
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