The Storyteller's Secret

In the present, Jaya reflects on her parents’ expectations. Jaya’s mother once tried to convince Jaya to pursue a career in medicine like her father, but Jaya refused. Her parents decided not to push Jaya if medicine wasn’t what she wanted.

Ravi explains that he has been paying for the caretaking of the house, mill, and school’s garden from his own savings out of a sense of responsibility to the family. Jaya’s grandfather owned the school; upon his death, possession of the property passed to Jaya’s mother. If the property isn’t claimed within 60 days, it will be sold—disrupting Jaya’s grandmother’s legacy. The people of the village don’t seem willing to talk about her mother despite the fact that she grew up there.

Back at the house, Jaya is unable to sleep. She writes another blog post. In it, she explores the legacy of creative writing within her family as well as the ease with which she has pursued her career: “It never occurred to me to ask permission or wonder if I was allowed to be more than others wanted” (163). She expresses her privilege and relative naiveté growing up in America.