Summary

In Chapter 13, Mangalam told how as the only boy in his family, he “took seriously my role as savior of my family” (161). He entered the film club to meet children of the rich and powerful caste where he met Naina, who convinces her wealthy father to let them marry. Her father got Mangalam a job. What he didn’t know was that his wife would isolate him from his family, and sabotage his most important relationships.

He met Latika at work, and developed feelings for her that neither one of them could act upon. Together they snuck away to see each other in secret, and eventually their “friendship metamorphosed into love” (167). He requested a transfer to a different branch and announced to Naina that they should split up their sexless marriage. Apoplectic, Naina informed her father, who had Latika banished. In retaliation, Mangalam...