Summary

The joy of the Festival of Lights does not last long. In chapter eleven, Rukmani capitalizes on Nathan’s absence for a day to visit Kenny and ask if he can help Ira bear children, as he helped her. After waiting all day, Rukmani finally manages to speak with a tired and disgruntled Kenny who wonders why Ira did not come to him herself. Finally dropping his rough tone and chastising Rukmani for still behaving like a child around him, he agrees to see Ira and do what he can. While walking home, Rukmani runs into Kunthi. It is now very late, and Kunthi wonders why Rukmani is out and about at such a late hour. When Kunthi implies Rukmani was using her body to gain favor with Kenny, Rukmani gets angry and physically attacks her. As her sari slips, the truth of Kunthi’s...