Surangi, The Child Bride

Part 60

"What's the matter? Are you feeling fine?" Madhav had noticed that Surangi was unusually quiet that Saturday evening when he returned from the hostel to spend what was left of the weekend with his sister's family.

"Nothing, I am just a little tired after studying all afternoon!" Surangi replied. It was true, her exams were due soon and she was feeling stressed about her grades dropping. School had been easy to top as she had a command over the Marathi language. On the other hand college was a challenge, as the curriculum was in English, a language and culture she was still struggling to adapt to.

"Do you need help with your books? We can stay up late if you wish!" Madhav could have read her mind.

 Although Surangi was a bright student the effort to translate unfamiliar words into her native language in order to understand what they meant before she could absorb the content was exasperating her. She found Math easier as mathematical syntax was far more relatable, unlike the intricacies of English grammar.

"Yes, I'd appreciate help, unless you are too tired and want to sleep!" She knew he had a demanding week himself. But Madhav had always been the guru she had looked up to during times of academic crises.

"We are both tired, but we can spend some time with those books or else the guilt won't let either of us sleep!" He laughed. He was the culprit, having set the bar of expectations in academics higher for her with every passing year.

Surangi helped Vidya wind up after dinner. Manohar was busy preparing for a case while Gaju got Madhav to brainstorm for ideas for a health science project he was working on. 

Surangi showed Madhav the passages she had marked as important. After a quick glance through the new macroeconomic approach of Keynesian theory Madhav tried to simplify it for Surangi who jotted notes, in English and Marathi.

Gaju, who tried to keep awake watching his uncle and aunt discuss a subject he knew nothing about, soon grew bored and fell off to sleep. The night was warm and Surangi placed a light cotton sheet over him. It was understood that he would continue to sleep between his uncle and aunt until they were ready to assume their marital responsibilities.

"He has grown taller by a couple of inches in the past six months!" Surangi gazed at Gaju affectionately. 

"I miss Madhu. Do you think he has forgotten us?" She wondered. 

"Probably! Maybe we should take some time after the examinations and visit home! We haven't met the family in a while!" Madhav felt a tinge of nostalgia and guilt. Being away from them was inevitable. 

"That's a good idea. Maybe we can take Gaju along too!" Even Surangi missed the simple life with her in-laws. Why, even Chandri had managed to travel home a few months ago soon after she lost her father. By then even her brother had found  a wife and she was expecting a baby soon.

"We should sleep now! We can finish the rest tomorrow!" Madhav suggested.

"There was one more thing I wanted to talk about!" Surangi hesitated. She was not keen on broaching the subject though, it was a classic avoidance-avoidance conflict.

Madhav knew by instinct that she had been waiting to discuss something more. She was just waiting for the right moment to.

"We'll be able to go to sleep sooner if only you can unburden your mind quickly!" Madhav smiled. 

"Do you remember that essay you helped me write for participation in the Rotary International Youth Exchange Programme? Looks like I have been shortlisted, along with some more students from across the city!" She spoke rather diffidently.