Tanya's life has been upended. She has a stepdaughter. An 18year old stepdaughter. And she's gonna live with them. Tanya felt angry with Jimmy, yet knew it was the right decision.
18years earlier they had had a threesome with a tribal woman on a trip. Mohini, she called herself, the Enchantress. And they were enchanted with the woman with quirky beliefs. They had not thought about it for a long time.
A few days back, a girl came knocking at their door. Her mother had died and as a last thought sent her here. They stared at the apparition. It could have been their own daughter after a few years. The girl was unmistakably Jimmy's.
Tanya struggled with the idea of having a stepdaughter. She didn't have the heart to turn her away, yet she couldn't bear to look at the girl. Her Jimmy has a child and she isn't the mother: it was too much for her.
The girl had grown up with her mother. In a red light area. Mohini was a sex worker, and finally died of AIDS. The world-wise girl could clearly see the disgust in Tanya's eyes behind her composed coldness. Jimmy too seemed less than enthusiastic about her existence. However the two kids were overjoyed to find they had a big sister.
The first few days went well. The girl stayed out of Tanya's way for most part. Jimmy had engaged a tutor to help her cope with school after limited schooling all these years. The tutor has been rather exhilarated with her intelligence and learning capabilities.
Then one day, Tanya got a call. "Are you Chandni's guardian? Can you come to school." Tanya was most irritated at having to go and deal with her stepdaughter's disciplinary lapses.
"See, we understand the girl had not had an expected childhood. So we are most happy to report she is coping well academically. But as you know, we give equal, if not more, importance to proper behaviour. Chandni went out of control today. She not just bashed two guys in the head, she even punched the teacher who tried to stop her. We will have to suspend her indefinitely till you prove to us she is safe," the principal told her.
Tanya had no reply to that. She thanked the Principal, and the other parents for not following up with an assault complaint. Her mind raced with angry thoughts as she drove home, Chandni sitting beside her. Her knuckles were white with the effort to not hit the girl.
"Mam.. I..," the girl tried to tell her.
"Keep quiet. I don't want to hear a word. Go to your room. Your father will deal with you when he returns."
"Mam! Why do you hate me? I know why you hate me. But please, I am trying."
"I don't want to talk with you Chandni. You are Jimmy's issue. He will deal."
"I'll leave if that's what you want."
"and go where? Back to that brothel?"
"Yes. My mom grew me up so many years there. I will live there. I will be a Prostitute like my mother."
Tanya was shocked. While these were exactly her thoughts, she felt guilty. She had no need to lash out at the poor girl. Jimmy was her husband, who loved her. This was an accident, one that she knew of and participated in. She couldn't wash her hands off.
But she said nothing. Chandni went to her room, the guest room, alone and unloved. Jimmy sensed a hostile mood when he returned. Tanya was gloomy like a storm while Chandni did not even greet him back. The two kids sensing the gloom were staying silent in their room.
"Tanya? Is something wrong?"
"Your daughter got suspended from school. More like rusticated. Hit two boys and a teacher. I have never been that embarrassed."
"Chandni!" Jimmy shouted.
"Not now Jimmy. Deal with her after dinner."
Dinner was subdued and silent. Immediately after Tanya sent the kids to sleep.
