Sushila and Savitha were sisters, Sushila being older to Savitha by two years.  Though sisters, they were as far apart from each other as could be, both in temperament and looks.  Sushila was fair and attractive with an oval face and chiseled features while Savitha was dusky, almost dark, with the only striking feature being a pair of exceptionally bright eyes that sometimes shone like fire. Her slightly protruding oversized front teeth compared poorly with her sister’s even white gleaming teeth. Their natures too were poles apart.  While Sushila had a proud and conceited disposition, Savitha was meek, sensitive, and introverted.

Being sisters, it was natural for them to be seen together often, whether it be to go to school or to a friend’s place or to attend a function.  But whenever they were together, all eyes would be focused on Sushila and it would seem as though Savitha did not exist at all.  Even if they had to meet an acquaintance, and a conversation was struck, it would be Sushila who would hold the attention, while Savitha remained largely invisible.  It wasn’t as if Sushila deliberately tried to corner attention to herself, but somehow Savitha rarely seemed to get noticed.  When she was very young, Savitha did not mind all this and for a while even afterwards, she was content to be eclipsed by the shadow of her sister.   But, by and by, she grew increasingly conscious of being ignored in favour of her sister. It hurt her and made her feel bitter and neglected.  This was also the reason for her low esteem and lack of self confidence.

Much before, in fact from her earliest childhood, she had faced subtle discrimination at the hands of her mother. She was always compared unfavorably with her sister.   Her first recollection of this was, when they went shopping for a dress.  Her mother would nonchalantly remark that while any colour and pattern suited Sushila, the same could not be said for Savitha. And there were other instances too, like the time when Sushila enrolled for dancing; Savitha threw a tantrum and wanted to take dancing lessons too.  But in spite of her vehement pleas, her mother dismissed the idea stating that she possessed neither the looks nor the grace required for a dancer. Or, for that matter, even when a rose bloomed in their garden, her mother would pluck it and adorn it on her sister’s hair, without a glance at her. That she had short hair and did not like to exhibit flowers on them was another matter!   Her mother also had the habit of proudly declaring to all and sundry that her older daughter was fair and beautiful like herself, while the younger one was unfortunate to have taken after her father.  The constant unfavorable comparison with her sister made her feel that she was lacking and deficient. This left a permanent mark on her and gave her an inferiority complex. She became more and more reclusive and remained confined to the four walls of her room.

While Sushila grew up to be gregarious, chirpy and full of self confidence, Savitha became more and more isolated and withdrawn. As a consequence, she began to take refuge in books. Books became her fascination. She would surround herself with books and devour them.  They were her constant companion.  Lost in the world of books, she transported herself to far off unknown lands, among strange surroundings and the characters would come dancing in front of her eyes.  Her other obsession was sitting alone, filling her eyes and feasting on Nature’s profusion, its panoramic view, satiating  its different hues and conversing with the birds, flowers, bees  and butterflies,

In course of time, the two girls grew up to become young women.  It was now time to find a groom for the elder one. Her mother was confident that she didn’t have to go scouring for a groom for Sushila, and that  many a suitor would come knocking at their door seeking her hand in marriage. However, contrary to expectation, this did not happen. The few good proposals that came were also squandered away.  Fed on her mother’s overindulgence, Sushila blatantly rejected them on one flimsy ground or another.  At last, after much effort, and in sheer desperation they had to settle for a middle class average looking guy for her.

Meanwhile Savitha, after completing her graduation secured a job in a Government office. In the office, far away from her sister’s overpowering influence, she made the discovery that she had an identity of her own.  She found it amazing that she could excite a lively attention all by herself.  She saw people responding warmly to her and suddenly the whole world seemed wonderful and enchanting. There she met Gopal who was completely smitten by her charm and simplicity.  Having never been complimented on her looks, Gopal’s lavish praise was a new experience for her which left her dazed and bewildered.    Later, she too realized that she was madly in love with him.  She was just waiting for Gopal to propose to her, and when he did, she gladly accepted, notwithstanding that he was from a different caste. 

When she spoke of this to her mother, her mother let out a tirade and asked her to leave the house immediately. 

Though sad and heartbroken, she left her mother’s house and got married to Gopal with the support of his family.  A year later they were blessed with a bonny boy.  Hoping that her mother would have by now relented and would accept her with open arms, she visited her mother with her husband and child nursing the fond hope of reconciliation. But that did not happen.  Her mother abused her and forbade her from entering the house.  Totally disillusioned, she returned back, and after that, lost all contact with her mother.   

Five years had since passed. With Gopal’s constant support and encouragement, Savitha took to writing.  The ideas which were all locked up inside her, burst out and overflowed on paper. The hunger to unravel all the thoughts that were lying deep within her, made her open up and fill reams and reams of paper.  Her first book ‘A Collection of Short Stories’ was already published by a leading publisher and she had become well known in literary circles.

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That day, even in her wildest dream, she had not imagined she would meet her mother. But such is destiny.  The most unexpected things happen. 

She was just returning home after a felicitation in honour of her at an awards function.  She usually took a bus, which dropped her right up to her apartment, but that day she had decided on taking the train which was much quicker.  And that one decision had made the difference.

After she boarded the compartment, she looked around for a vacant seat, when, right in front of her eyes, she saw her mother sitting forlorn by the window.  At first she was too excited for words, and then composing herself, she rushed to her mother.  Her mother too was overwhelmed to see her and tears gushed from her eyes.  She fell into her mother’s outstretched arms, and the floodgates opened.

After regaining her composure, she opened her handbag and presented her mother with a copy of her book.  With tears in her eyes her mother accepted and read the title aloud.  It said – ‘A Collection of Short Stores’ by Kamala.  ‘Kamala?? And then in a flash, she knew.  That Savita had adopted the pseudonym ‘Kamala’ -  that was her name.  She began sobbing uncontrollably.