Sister of My Heart

Anju and Sunil are nervous about the amniocentesis but are relieved to learn that their son is healthy. The doctor expresses concern about Anju’s blood pressure and glucose levels, but she does not take the issues very seriously.

In her elation, Anju forgets to call Sudha until after midnight. When she calls, Sudha’s voice is a “dead monotone.” Sudha confirms that her daughter is healthy but says that she cannot talk. Sick with worry once again, Anju stays at home the next day, missing an exam, in the hope that Sudha will call again.

Seeing Anju’s distress, Sunil expresses concern for their baby, whom he refers to as his son. At night, Anju dreams of her son being smothered in a sea of human faces (Ramesh, Sunil, Nalini, and Mrs. Sanyal) who turn into serpents.

Sunil awakens her. Sudha is calling from the post office. Her mother-in-law is insisting she have an abortion because the baby is a girl. Sudha has called the mothers for help, but they insist she should stay in her husband’s house, as otherwise, she will risk the stigma of being the single mother of an illegitimate baby.