Summary

That night, in the following chapter, Swami’s family grows scared and anxious when he does not return home from school. Swami’s father goes out to search for him, with Swami’s mother and Granny feeling anxiety and his father feeling certain that Swami is not in danger, though he appears to be in denial about this. Swami’s father comes home and after some more time waiting, begins to share the fears of his wife and mother that something terrible has happened to Swami.

In the chapter titled “The day of the match”, several hours after running away, Swami begins to feel regret, missing home. He resolves to go back home, his problems seeming insignificant. However, much to his slow, creeping horror, he finds he is lost in the forest. Swami cries and prays aloud, becoming desperate. He...