Book 1, Chapters 4 - 6 Summary

In Chapter 4, Anju talks about the girls' thirteenth birthdays. Although Nalini thinks it is a bad idea, Gouri gives the girls money as a gift. She believes the girls can be trusted to use the money responsibly. Later that day, Anju is called to her mother's room alone. Her mother gives her a gift of gold bird-shaped earrings as a beginning piece of her bridal jewelry. Anju wants to show Sudha the earrings, to see her smile. Anju has noticed that Sudha has been acting strangely toward her lately. Gouri suggests that the earrings may make Sudha envious of Anju and the things she has. This statement angers Anju.

Anju finds Sudha on the terrace and shows her the earrings. She doesn't get the response she expected from Sudha. When Anju tries to joke with Sudha about their birthday...