The Lilac House: A Novel by Anita Nair

Author:Anita Nair [Nair, Anita]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Bangalore (India), Widows, Contemporary Women, Domestic Fiction, General, College Teachers, Fiction, Cultural Heritage
ISBN: 9780312606770
Google: C9qI8OKm_F8C
Amazon: 031260677X
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2012-04-24T04:00:00+00:00

In the weeks after Giri left home, Meera had wondered what she would do if she were invited to a party. Accept or refuse. Then it rankled that she wasn’t invited, given the choice to make up her mind.

But here she is, holding herself erect. Saro is right, she thinks. Posture is all. You may cringe within, not knowing the degrees of civility to affect. You may not know any of the rules of your new station in life. But if your back is erect and your shoulders square, you could get away with much. Including a spider plant as a gift for the hostess.

Here in Vinnie’s home, Meera feels none of the awkwardness that planted itself in her at the few parties she has been to minus Giri. There are no pauses in the conversation. No one trying to skirt around the subject of Giri and then not knowing what to talk about. Pretty much all that could be spoken in that circle was pivoted around Giri and her as Giri’s wife. At Vinnie’s party, Giri is entombed in a past no one has any inkling of or gives a toss about.

Someone comes to sit next to Meera. An older man. ‘How do you know Vinnie?’ he asks, smiling at her. ‘A business associate?’

‘No, a friend,’ Meera says. ‘I am Meera,’ she adds, stretching her hand.

‘Raj.’ He takes her hand in his. He holds her palm for a long moment. Longer than necessary, Meera thinks, gently sliding her fingers out of his grasp.

Vinnie had warned her about him. ‘Most of the men are decent chaps. Raj is a bit of a smoothie. If he hits on you, walk away. He won’t be offended. He should be used to it by now. It’s like he can’t help himself. The one I feel sorry for is his wife.’ Smooth to the point of shininess, Meera tells herself as he chats her up.

‘So, are you married, Meera? Is there a husband somewhere?’ he tosses at her.

‘Single,’ Meera says. Then, with frost in her voice, she clarifies, ‘Single. And not available.’

Meera sees a nondescript woman shooting anxious looks their way. She narrows her eyes and says, ‘Is that your wife? I think she’s looking for you.’

Now that she has dealt with the wolf, Meera is confident enough to gambol with the lambs.

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