The Ripple Effect

Perspiring in the hot afternoon sun, Urshila repeatedly peered over the balcony railing to get a glimpse of the street below.

- Sreelekha Chaterjee

It had been only a few days since her 18-year-old daughter's photographs, along with her personal particulars, were put up on a matrimonial site, and they received a phone call from a family.

Lost in thoughts, Urshila noticed a car halt in front of their four-storied building. Her heart started racing wildly. A middle-aged couple and a handsome young man got out of the car.

Their eyes flitted around Urshila’s house and lodged on the heap of garbage lined with dry leaves and animal dung that had accumulated in front of her house. Urshila’s heart sank at the thought of how unpleasant it might have appeared to them on seeing the pile of waste.

They entered the building. Behind them was Lina, the oldish inhabitant of the fourth floor. She followed them quietly with the usual inquisitiveness in her eyes, maintaining a calm, detached expression. The family looked disturbed, conversing among themselves in a low voice. On seeing Urshila and her husband at the door, they fell silent. Lina passed by their floor with eyes wandering on the visitors till she disappeared behind the stairs.

Their guests walked inside with smiling faces, which relieved Urshila’s initial tension. After the preliminary round of pleasantries, Urshila and her husband initiated the conversation regarding their daughter.

“She is studying BA (Hons) in History.” Urshila said jovially.

“Our son is an IT engineer and works in a reputed company.” The mother said half-heartedly, accentuating her disinterest in the entire conversation.

Their whole exchange of words seemed very formal and lacked any sort of enthusiasm. They refused to have tea, sweets, and savory foods that were offered.

“We're observing fast today.” The mother said.