Immaculate

Keeping this family together was like setting up a single game of chess from sixteen different sets: While the game was still functional, it was tacky and crude. Little by little, he was trying to repair the mess of scattered pieces. He wanted the set to be complete. He wanted to sell it. He wanted its perfection to speak for itself. But of course, nothing ever came easily.

If he could settle for one thing before he died, it was to continue their bloodline through male heirs. His current children and grandchildren were suitable enough — at least the legitimate ones — but while he was still kicking, he would do anything to secure their futures. Fair skin, strong intelligence, and of course, pure, unadulterated Somayajula blood. Everything he’d ever worked for would be reflected in his heirs, and with Anand’s snap decision to elope, there was only one person who could keep the family pure and prosperous,

“Lata.” he had invited the two over to visit under the pretense that he and Ammamma needed some help around the house. When they arrived, Lata wore plain clothes that could handle a couple stains, while Jayant wore clothing he could easily peel away if it came to hard labor. Sowmya prepared a kettle of tea for the family, but Thatha wasn’t ready to sit and wait. Without much explanation, he excused himself and bid Lata to join. She reluctantly followed, sensing a trap. When they meandered out toward the pomegranate tree, she held her head higher, already preparing for an awaiting onslaught,

“How are your daughters?” she’d expected formalities, but she still couldn’t muster more than a curt reply,

“Well.” he peeled his gaze from something ahead to look at her, and she struggled to determine if he was sizing her up or only staring incredulously,

“That’s all?” a hint of rose-colored humor finally trickled into his expression — a gesture almost comforting if she didn’t suspect it was loaded. She grew wary of his thorns, but masked her concern. Her lips pulled into a thin smile, but her eyes were venomous,

“They’ve been busy.” she went along with her first thought, “Studying and working, like we’ve taught them.” With no help from him.

“And what about you? Have you been keeping busy?” He’d only asked a couple things, but she was already nearly suffocating from the onslaught,

“It’s always busy work, caring for a family.” she continued, “But we all pull our weight, even if we think we’re above that.” her target hit its mark. Satisfaction sated her, and indecision troubled him.

If she had to be honest, Lata didn’t care to do anything outside her family. While she didn’t mind coming over to help Ammamma with the mango season, or help prepare Sowmya for yet another bride-seeing ceremony, she had made it clear that she no longer wished to live under their roof. For years, this had been detrimental to their relationship. But throughout all this time, she acted with relative civility. She didn’t want any of them assuming she ever regretted that decision.

The copper pawn had been replaced with wood, dull and hollow, but it was progressing to the other side of the board much more steadily than any of the others. It would soon be exchanged for a copper queen. He bit back his sour words and moved on,

“How old are you, Lata?” She could have told him she was eighteen. She could have told him she was forty. He didn’t pay attention to her answer, “You’re getting old.” he commented, furrowing his brows, “Sit down with me. Yes, there’s fine. No one comes up or down this time of day.” they settled down beside each other. She kept herself tall and regal, while he rested his elbows comfortably on his knees,

“Why haven’t you had another child by now?” he cut her off before she could respond, “It seems strange to me. You’ve always been so caring for your girls. Don’t you miss it?” Now that he mentioned it, “I remember seeing pictures of them growing up. I remember all my grandchildren.” his expression grew softer the more he spoke. The pawn skipped past the mismatched pieces, “And you don’t know how much I miss holding such a precious thing in my arms…” he trailed off to let that sink in. This time, he relished in his own victory when he gauged her defeated expression. He struck the heartstrings, and not a moment too soon,

“It’s not too late, you know.” he finally told her, “We think we’ve been a bit hard on you, Lata-ma.” if she wasn’t blindsided by his shocking display of empathy before, she was now. He caught the faintest glimmer of confusion across her face, there and gone, “I spoke to Ammamma, and she agreed. We thought we were helping you by treating you more strictly than anyone else — as the saying goes, ‘tough love’. We realize now, this wasn’t the case. In fact, I’ve come to realize that this could have been hurting you.” If this had an affect on her, it was difficult to tell — she had slipped her mask back on. He finally cut to the chase, “If you have another child, Lata, I want to get to know him.” something flickered in her expression, but it was difficult for him to discern. He wondered if she had caught his suggestion. She must have, “He’s going to be the pride and joy of the family. We’ll throw you a huge baby shower, and make sure you’re well prepared for — ”

She finally piped in, interrupting him, “Jayant and I are well-off. We don’t need help.” This didn’t stop his tirade,

“A good family always offers help.” He insisted, setting his jaw,

“I can’t accept help when Jayant and I are already in a good position.” She wasn’t giving in that easily,

“A baby is expensive — ”

“I know. I’ve had two.”

“It’s customary.”

“It’s unnecessary.”

“…We’re getting off track.” he retorted, coolly, after only a moment’s hesitation to stay collected. He let her backtrack a moment, then went on, “If you have another baby, he will be part of the family.” he readjusted himself so he was facing her more fully. He wanted her to feel the gravity of his next words,

“I’ll even go so far as to say, he’ll go on to receive our family’s inheritance when he’s of age.” That’s how much this meant to him. The old and discolored pieces were being swapped out for newer ones. In the eyes of God, this would be the perfect chess set. It would receive the praise and admiration it deserved. This was going to be a set of heavenly standards, and everyone who partook in the game would have a guaranteed future of happiness and prosperity. He beamed in excitement when he imagined the ones he loved in their impending bliss.

She was already making plans, imagining the lavish home they could afford for their family — perhaps one of the many properties Thatha had bought. She could hire a maid and live comfortably. Her children could afford the best. She could look down on those who had mistreated her in the past. Yet a twinge of discomfort settled over her at an implication echoed in the back of her head. She spoke her thoughts,

“And what if it’s a girl?” time slowed as she watched his face, struggling to discern anything. The pieces rocked a little, but he wouldn’t watch it break. He saw the suffering of his family reflected in her question, but forced the prospect from his mind. Placidly, he replied,

“We will never know.”