Book 1, Chapters 18 - 20 Summary

Chapter 18 begins with Anju's description of her overwhelming feelings of love for Sunil. The tone changes as the mothers call the girls for a meeting in Gouri's room. The doors are locked and curtains closed before the mothers open a worn looking jewelry box displaying a large ruby. They want the girls' input into what should be done with the ruby, the jewel that the girls' fathers left before they went on their adventure. When Sudha sees the jewel she realizes the story Pishi told her was really true. There is much discussion about the fate of the ruby. Anju speaks with finality when she tells them to put the jewel back into the vault. She says that it is not yet really theirs, but breaks off before giving a reason. Anju does not speak out loud her feeling...