The Hero's Walk

It’s the afternoon. Ammayya is home and complaining, accusing Nirmala of waiting for her to die so she can steal her jewels. Nirmala and Koti are trying to clean up in Ammayya’s room that she shares with Putti, and Ammayya is insulting them and even throws a slipper at Koti that only just misses hitting her. Nirmala has to help Ammayya move to the kitchen so Ammayya can have her tea before Nirmala has to leave. Nirmala wonders where Putti is. She has noticed that Putti likes Gopala. In the kitchen, the three women briefly discuss Deepavali and the current heatwave. Putti comes in. Ammayya tries to get her attention, but Putti is talking to Nirmala about shopping. Ammayya wants Putti to stay with her, but Putti wants to go shopping with Nirmala. They leave, along with Koti, leaving Ammayya by herself.

Ammayya begins snooping around the house, something she is wont to do whenever the others leave her alone. She looks for food to hide, money, anything she might want. She comes across Maya’s old coat in Nandana’s closet. She likes the coat, takes it, figuring she can get a good price for it later.