Summary

Lakshman’s mother was a drinker which was unusual for an Indian woman. At parties, she would stand in the kitchen with the other women, drinking and asking them doubtfully whether they were really happy. She would then go to the living room and talk with the men about topics deemed inappropriate for women, such as the stock market. This would irritate the men as they believed she had no right to talk about these topics of conversation. Lakshman would follow her around at parties, worried about what she may do when talking to other men. Having watched American television, he had seen how alcohol could affect impulse control with regards to sex. His mother and father argued about her drinking and he knew there was no real love between them. Their marriage had been arranged as their families were in business...