Insimenator.org

xD i have posted an update :] I didn't plan on it, as my computer usually won't load sims multiple times a day. However, it loaded and I was able to finish the first chapter! :D I would LOVE comments/views on blogspot, but I understand if you'd rather just post here. In any case, the link to Chapter 1 is http://anjusstory.blogspot.com/2009/12/chapter-1.html (http://anjusstory.blogspot.com/2009/12/chapter-1.html)

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Sim%20Pictures/Anju1.jpg)

Meet Anju.
She enjoys singing, exercising, and helping her parents.

Both her mother and father are immigrants from India, and run a strict, orderly household. They expect a lot out of Anju; she maintains a 4.0 GPA and is also responsible for most of the household chores. While Anju knows they have her best interest at heart, what she wants most is to be like the other teenagers at school. She has no time for friends, has never been on a date, or any of the typical teenager things. It's pointless anyway. It has already been decided that once Anju graduates, they will return to India, where Anju had an arranged marriage to someone she hadn't ever met. She thought it was unfair, everyone in America got to fall in love and choose whom they married, why shouldn't she?

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_d8398a33.jpg)

Anju sighed as she prepared dinner for her family. Her mother was resting and, as usual, her father was busy with paperwork from the lab. She had already cleaned the house for the week, on top of her honors homework from school. 'This is so stupid! I should be out with friends on a Saturday afternoon, not being responsible for my family.' It wasn't that she took her family for granted, or even slightly disrespected her parents, they had worked hard to come to America and to support her. The lived a relatively simple life as well, Anju wasn't spoiled. 'I mustn't think badly of them, they know what's best for me...' However, she felt she deserved a break. She hadn't left the house except for school in at least a month.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_783a8dd7.jpg)

Anju's parents were getting older. Anju was the second child of theirs, but her older brother had died when he was young. Heartbroken, they had waited several years to have another child. Anju's mother had become brittle and sickly, and usually lied around the house instructing Anju what to do. One of the fews times she left the bed was for her daughter's weekly bridal lessons. After dinner that night, Anju asked why she had to take the horrible lessons. "Mother, they aren't even helpful!"

"It's customary for brides to know how to best please their husbands! After all, you wouldn't want to disappoint him in your cooking or cleaning." Her mother insisted.

"Mother, that's in India! We're in America, why can't we remain here?" Anju almost never argued, she learned her lesson as a child. Her parents weren't abusive, they did firmly believe in hitting children to knock sense into them though. Perhaps it was because she had been cooped up for several weeks that Anju had decided to pick this fight.

"Anju! You should be grateful that you are already arranged in a fine marriage! Balan has grown up to be a fine upstanding boy!"

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_f83a919b.jpg)

"Mother, we've been over this! I dont' want to marry him! I want to choose who I marry." Anju groaned in frustration.Why couldn't her mother see it as she did?

"That's it. You've gone and filled your head with these silly American ideas! Anjali, you are not American. You are Indian and as such you have a duty to your heritage and family! Girls over here can run around with whomever they want, but you are to respect our wishes. Perhaps we should return to India sooner than expected. You have become ungrateful." Ginga, Anju's mother, slapped her daughter, causing Anju to stumble backwards. Her mother took a deep breath before making her way back to her bedroom to lie back down.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_383a965c.jpg)

Anju slunk to the floor, fighting back tears. 'I should have kept my mouth shut...Now look what I've done.'

Anju's dad received a promotion, and as a thanks, invited his boss over for dinner. Ray Johnson was known for being 'The Man Around Town'. He had slept with so many women he had lost count. Anju noticed he was very odd upon meeting him, however she was polite and courteous.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_b83a5160_b83a611b.jpg)

"Ahh Anju. It's such a pleasure to finally meet you! Your father has told me what a beautiful young woman you are, and he was right!" Ray kissed the top of Anju's hand and flashed her a devilish grin. Anju smiled, but felt as if she might vomit from disgust. 'Surely, this isn't the man who has courted so many women.' Anju knew one thing: Ray Johnson was creepy and should be avoided.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_b83a5160_f83a61f4.jpg)

Unfortunately for Anju, her mother and father failed to see Ray's pedophile nature. She pulled Ginga into the kitchen while her father and Ray were talking. She pleaded with her mother to see the logic in the fact, but Anju's mother wouldn't hear of it. "Anju! How rude of you! Mr. Johnson is a highly regarded man. He is simply admiring you."

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_b83aa96e.jpg)

Anju tried to reason with her, but she was set on her thoughts. She was happy when her mother told her to go to her room for the night, though frustrated her parents wouldn't believe her. 'They're naive. In India, things aren't like this.'

Regardless, Anju slept peacfully and awoke the next morning feeling happy for some reason. This mood vanishes when she sat down at the breakfast table. Her parents had a serious look on their faces, Anju noticed they looked angry as well. 'Great. I get to hear about how wrong I was last night.' Her father cleared his throat before speaking, which only worsened Anju's fears; this was serious.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_d83ad348.jpg)

"Anju. Your behavior yesterday was unacceptable. As of late, you have grown more and more disrespectful. Your mother and myself are worried that it is due to living here. We have decided that at the end of your junior year, we will return to Calcutta and you shall wed Balan as planned."

"My junior year?! But that's in a few months! That's not fair! I was promised to graduate!" Anju fought the tears, but it was a lost battle. "Mother! Reason with him!"

Her mother looked at her with a hard face. "Anjali, I am just as much for this decision as your father. You are quite out of control and frankly, it has to end."

"I hate you!" Anju ran out of the room and didn't stop. She ran from the house and all the way to school. She received stares from the students, but Anju didn't care. It wasn't fair they had so much freedom they didn't even realize. One girl Anju recognized from Calculus approached her cautiously. "Are you okay? You don't look so good."

Anju managed to smile through her tears. "Yeah, I'm okay...just having a really rough Monday."

Eloise laughed. "It's Monday, what can you expect?"

"I suppose...Well I better go...uh fix my face" Anju waved as ascended the stairs and slipped through the door. This was only the beginning of a long day.

I'd like to say thanks for the positive feedback :] I had to recreate the characters, I don't know what was up, but it seems to be fixed now! So...here's an (overdue) update!**WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS PG-13 RATED MATERIAL. (It's nothing graphic, or remotely so, but I feel I should put a warning in case :]  )

The official link is http://anjusstory.blogspot.com/2009/12/chapter-3.html (http://anjusstory.blogspot.com/2009/12/chapter-3.html), but as always I'll post it here as well.

Chapter 3

When school let out that afternoon, as much as Anju didn't want to go home, she knew she would have to sooner or later. Instead of walking home, she took the bus. Upon arriving home, Anju discovered neither of her parents were home. 'That's odd...' She brushed it off and quickly realized they were probably at the embassy or something. 'Were they serious about leaving...?' The teenager decided to not think of it and instead went to focus on her homework.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_583bbe4b.jpg)

About an hour after Anju was home, the doorbell rang. She could count on her hand the number of times her parents hadn't been home, and even when they were, she wasn't allowed to answer the door. Anju decided to ignore them, that way they'd just leave. The person didn't leave. In fact the doorbell ringing became almost frantic. She peeked out of the window to see none other than Ray Johnson at the door. He seemed to be growing impatient. 'Perhaps mother and father invited him over again...' Even though Ray was known around town, Anju figured he wouldn't try anything. 'If I don't let him in mother and father would think me rude.' And with that, Anju let Ray inside.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_f83bcf13.jpg)

"Mr. Johnson. Come in!" Anju plastered a smile across her face to hide her disgust.

"Ah! Anju! What a pleasant surprise." Ray took a look around the room. Anju noticed he took a step forward, and she took a step backwards out of reflex. "Anju, where are your parents? Surely they didn't leave you home alone."

Anju knew better than to lie, but she felt she needed to at the moment. "They went out to grab a bite to eat. They, um, should be back in a few minutes." She felt very uncomfortable around this Ray Johnson, but she couldn't be rude. 'Such behavior would disgrace your family's name!' She remembered what her lesson teacher had said about curtness. "You're welcome to wait for them, if you like. I'm sure they would be happy to have you for dinner." 'Please say you're leaving. Please!'

"Yes, I suppose I'll wait for them." Ray looked Anju from head to toe, examining every inch of her body. The girl physically shivered from the creepiness of it. Mr. Johnson didn't seem to notice.

"I'll go put on some tea then." Anju tried to hide her disappointment that he was staying. 'Mother, father, where are you?!'

"That'd be lovely, Anju!" Ray flashed her a smile and followed her into the kitchen. As Anju was getting the tea from the shelf, she heard the man behind her. "You know Anju, you are very beautiful."

"T-Thank you Mr. Johnson." Anju was beginning to regret letting the man into the house. She turned around to see Ray walking toward her. She cleared her throat and started walking to the table, but Ray cut her off. Anju looked up to see that the man had a gleam in his eye. She didn't like where this was going.

"Wouldn't you like to go have some fun, Anju? I won't tell if you won't." He grabbed her wrist and forced her to follow him. Anju snatched her wrist back.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_983b8800.jpg)

"You insolent girl!" Anju was more scared than she had ever been in her entire life. Her wrist ached, but she knew what was about to come next. "How dare you! I'll have your father's job for this!"

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_d83b881c.jpg)

The hot tea shocked her more than it burnt her face. She stood there trying to comprehend what had just happened, when suddenly her cheek started to sting.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_983b8861.jpg)

She shoved him and tried to get away, but he was just as fast. Plates fell from the table and crashed to the floor. Running to her bedroom, she attempted to shut the door, but Ray was much stronger than she. She backed up as he advanced forward."Come on Anju dear! It'll be fun!"

Before she knew it, her dress was gone. And that was only the beginning to the horrible nightmare.

---

After Ray had left, Anju lay curled up on her bed crying. Where had her parents been? She couldn't tell them what happened, it'd only make things worse. She picked up her clothes, which had been thrown to the floor and put them under her bed. Anju got dressed and made her way to the kitchen, where a mess remained. Broken dishes and shards of glass scattered the floor. She quickly cleaned up the remnants and looked around before more tears rolled down her cheeks.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_783b887b.jpg)

@ Hannahhhhh: thank you! Ray kinda creeps me out as well (he reminds me of one of my teachers) He won't be back in the story for a while though... :]

For anyone who cares, I might start a thread for photo dumps haha. I have a bunch of photos I haven't used :P If I start a thread, I'll post the link here. There MIGHT be an update today, we shall see if my computer cooperates haha

@Zorom haha disgustable? I think it should be a word. It's fun to say :D

My computer doesn't want me to write this story. I started up my game, clicked the neighborhood, and discovered ALL of my families were GONE. It's like they NEVER EXISTED. So, needless to say, I had to recreate all of them. However, I have an update! I apologize for the lack of pictures, but as you can guess I haven't gotten to play much. *bashes laptop*

Official Link: http://anjusstory.blogspot.com/2009/12/chapter-4.html (http://anjusstory.blogspot.com/2009/12/chapter-4.html)

A month and a half passed. Ray Johnson hadn't been back to the family's house. Anju's father still had his job, though this didn't surprise Anju. She hadn't said a word of the afternoon, so firing her father would be suspicious.

As it turns out, her mother had suffered a small heart attack and they had gone to the hospital. Anju didn't want to further upset her parents, and mentioning it would just disgrace her family; she should have known better. She blamed herself, even if Anju knew she shouldn't. Since her mother had fallen ill, they were returning to India as originally planned, after Anju graduated. The end of the year was just in two short months and Ginga would still be too weak to travel.

And then this happened...

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_583bdaac.jpg)

This was something Anju couldn't hide. She'd have to come clean about everything and knew her parents would be less than pleased. Anju decided it was better to tell them now, rather than when she started showing. 'How do I explain this though?!'

One night during dinner, it all spilled out. She began with how Ray had shown up, and she had thought he was there to see them. She told them the fight they had gotten into, and what it turned into. Anju looked up from her hands when she was finished. She looked to her mother to find a sad, broken look. Her father on the other hand appeared to outraged.

"Anjali! Why did you put yourself in that situation? We raised you better than that! You-"

"Gadin, calm down. You can't think this to be Anju's fault!" Anju snapped her head to see her mother. Ginga almost never went against her father, but was thankful she was.

"Ginga, stay out of this! Had she not answered the door like she was supposed to, this never would have happened! Now she has gone and disgraced the family name. We can't even marry you off any longer! Think of the shame...!" Anju's father was on the verge of turning purple from anger, and Anju looked to her mother warily.

"No I will NOT stay out of this! She tried to warn us of him, but we refused to listen." Ginga had tears rolling off of her cheeks, and her breathing was ragged. She couldn't fight anymore.

"What if I gave the baby up? People do that all the time!" Anju didn't know if she could do that. The child was half hers after all, even if its other half was of a horrid person.

"You cannot think of giving up a child of Delhi blood! Are you trying to wreak havoc on the Gods?! Not another word on the subject. Anju, you have two days to leave or you, by yourself, will return to India. Mind you, India isn't as accepting of whores such as yourself. You'd be lucky to find a place to live." Anju and her mother looked to Gadin in shock. Her mother opened her mouth to speak, but with the wave of her husband's hand she remained silent, there was nothing she could do.

---

Anju was in her room when her approached her. The girl was not in the mood to be talking about getting kicked out, and while she was happy her mother had tried to reason with her father, Anju was sure what her mother had to say wasn't good news. "Anjali...I think it's in your best interest to return to India. Pay no attention to what your father says. If you go willingly, perhaps I can arrange for a place to stay."

"Mother, that's like suicide! I've heard the horrible stories of girls in India who have gotten pregnant before they were married! This isn't even my fault! I didn't want that to happen!" Anju collapsed on her bed and started crying all over again .

"Anju, if you stay here, where will you go? Your father would refuse to pay for a place for you to stay, and you can't survive on the streets! Would you at least consider it? The people of India aren't quite what you think, dear one."

Anju took the next day to think about it, her mother had convinced her father to let her have one more day. The last time she had been in India was when she was two years old, she didn't even remember living there! 'How can I ever survive there!?' She knew life in India was much different than that in America, it'd be difficult to adapt, but if she stayed in America, she'd be kicked to the streets for sure. If she went to India, her mother could assist her in secret.

And so, Anju decided she'd go to India.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_98394d30_783c0407.jpg)

Official Link : http://anjusstory.blogspot.com/2009/12/chapter-5.html[/b]

Anju's mother had arranged for her to stay with an old friend of her's. Laylan Haryana lived on an estate with her two children, Jai and Latika. Her husband had passed away recently, and with the dwindling money supply, she was now running the house without the help of maids. Anju could stay there as long as she did her part.

As for Anju's father, he had not spoken to her since she had told him of that afternoon. Dignity and pride were very big for him, and she had tainted the family name.

As the taxi pulled into the driveway, Anju looked to her mother, tears in her eyes. She knew it was going to be a long, hard road ahead and her mother wasn't going to be there to guide her. Anju wouldn't be able to call her mother, her father had forbid it. Although as far as he knew, Anju wasn't staying with Laylan. That was her mother's last gift and secret. Anju was allowed to write her mother letters, however. A privilege she was thankful for.

---

The plane ride was terribly long for Anju, who had only ever been on a plane twice in her life. As she exited the airport, she was astonished at the heat of the sun. Anju only had the address of the Haryana residence, although she knew it was in Calcutta. Her Hindi wasn't perfect and she had to ask for a cab several times before a man understood her.

The drive through Calcutta fascinated Anju. There were so many people! Each building was different from the last, one green and the next blue. It was definitely different than the way her textbooks had described India. She had come expecting shanties and beggars, but it was so full of life!

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_f8452bdc_5845550b.jpg)

Upon arriving at the Haryana compound, the first thing Anju noticed was how large it was. 'How can one woman take care of this?!' Immediately after the car pulled up, Laylan, or so Anju guessed, ran out of the house to greet her. Anju turned to pay the cab driver when she realized she hadn't exchanged her money. "Uh..."

Laylan pulled a few coins from her sari and handed them to the man. "Dhanyavad." The man counted the coins and left. (AN: Dhanyavad means 'Thank you' in Hindi) Laylan's attention returned to Anju, who started to babble an apology about the money. "I'm sorry! I forgot to exchange my money at the airport!"

"Child it's okay! Don't worry about it." Laylan laughed and guided the girl inside.

In the distance Anju could hear a girl squeal. "Jai! That's no fair! You've won twice now!"

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_383d1621_d83d18a4.jpg)

"Jai! Latika! Anjali is here, come say hello!" A few seconds later, Laylan's children emerged around the corner. Laylan gestured to her daughter, "This is Latika, my little princess, even though she's a young woman now!" The girl extended her arm and Anju awkwardly shook it. The mother then rolled her eyes at her son who was leaning against the wall. "Jai! Can you at least act like you're interested? Anju, that's my son, Jai." She then leaned close and whispered, "He's excited you're here, he's just not showing it to be cool."

Anju giggled and glanced at Laylan's son. She had no desire to get involved with any male, and she was happy Jai obviously had no interest in her. He scoffed and went up the stairs. Laylan only shook her head as he left. "He'll come around. Now! Latika will show you the room you'll be sharing until we finish the other one. You can rest until dinner, then we shall discuss house rules."

"Don't worry, Anju, there aren't that many!" Latika said with a smile before running up the stairs. Anju followed, laughing at the girl's abundance of energy.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_f8452bdc_f8456367.jpg)

The room consisted of two twin beds, each with a girly comforter, and two small dressers. "You can have the one by the window." Anju put her stuff by the bed and lied down, exhausted. Latika came over and sat on the floor, looking up at Anju. "Mother won't be too hard on you, she just wants things to go smoothly. Don't worry, though, I have your back! You can take a nap, I'm sure you need it..." With that, Latika jumped up and skipped out of the room. Anju sighed as the door clicked shut. 'What's going to happen....'

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_383d1621_183d190d.jpg)

At dinner, Laylan explained what Anju was responsible for and what was appropriate. Anju was required to do all the laundry, as well as cook the meals and make sure Latika got to school on time. Laylan explained that no one was allowed to leave the house unless they had a companion. Laylan dismissed Jai and Latika from the table so that she could talk to Anju alone.

"Anju, I respect your decision to come here. I know your father can be...unreasonable. It's not going to be easy though, I think you've realized that already." The woman sighed, and for a moment Anju saw a glimpse of how tired Laylan was. It made Anju feel as though she was being a burden, which she was in a way.

"I suggested to give the baby up, I wouldn't ever abort it, but I don't feel as though I'd really care for it. Half of it is a monster and a horrible person. I don't want it, Laylan. Father wouldn't hear of it though. Him and his pride about not giving up something that had Delhi blood."

"Ahh, but the baby is also half yours, as your father sees. I can see why he thinks like that. Raping is treated differently in India. I'm not saying people aren't raped here Anju, I'm saying it's not publicized. The women who are raped remain quiet in almost all cases, as it's usually family, like a distant uncle. The police don't do anything about anyway. They are just as bad as rapists sometimes. Plus the system in the country would take years to process it. In the end it isn't worth it. If the girl becomes pregnant, she is simply cast to the street, as your father did, because that taints the honor. She wouldn't rat out family."

Anju listened to Laylan's words carefully. She understood some of the logic, as she had thought that way as well. Anju also realized another thing; Laylan wasn't what she expected. She had thought the woman would be very soft spoken, and reserved. However, Laylan had her own opinions and voiced them, obviously very outspoken for a woman of India.

"Anju, it's your decision. I feel that your mother would understand if you gave up the baby, but it'd be hard to explain to your father if you ever went home to visit or something. However, I think it's time you went to bed. It's been a long day."

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/snapshot_b84b6d99_784b85e6.jpg)

Sorry it's taking longer than expected to update. I'm having a rather bad week. First, my boyfriend of two years had been acting weird since Monday. Then yesterday/Friday (Which was my BIRTHDAY) he thought we should 'take a break'. So I'm trying to work things out with him... Today, the day I was hoping to update, I woke up and felt horrible. I have the chills and everything aches. I hope to update soon, I'm sorry again it's taking so long.

@Bookfreak Thank you so much! It means a lot to me you think so highly lol

Hello all! Goodness, I feel awful! I've had a chapter sitting on my desktop since JANUARY. This one doesn't have many pictures, but it's an important chapter!
Official Link: http://anjusstory.blogspot.com/2010/01/chapter-6.html (http://anjusstory.blogspot.com/2010/01/chapter-6.html)
A month later, Anju was operating the house like she had lived there her whole life. Dinner was ready at exactly 6:00, as Laylan had requested, the house was cleaner than it had been in months, and Anju felt quite at home. Latika had already become a little sister, and followed Anju everywhere. The teenager had also started showing her pregnancy, being almost three months.

(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Dream_girl013/Anju/India.jpg)

Jai, however, was a different story. He was pretty aloof to everyone, even Laylan. The teenager would come home from school with Latika and immediately go into his room. Anju guessed it had been this way since his father had died, as it didn't bother his mother or sister. Often times it would be her and Jai home, with Laylan attending Latika's piano lessons or something of that sort. This was one of the few times Jai would emerge from his room. He wouldn't speak though, and rarely even acknowledged Anju. Their interactions consisted of Anju muttering a 'Sorry' if she got in his way or inquiring if Jai was hungry. Regardless, Anju thought the boy had to be kind to be a child of Laylan's.

So when Jai knocked on Anju's door one afternoon when Latika and their mother were at the store, she was a little more than surprised. "Um, come in!" Anju looked up from her letter and quickly closed her notebook.

Jai cleared his throat and glanced at her, obviously nervous. Anju decided she might as well start a conversation. "Did you need something, Jai? I can make you some lunch if you'd like."

"Actually I, uh, wanted to ask you some stuff. If you don't mind that is." Anju nodded and the boy sat on the floor. He cleared his throat again. "What's America like?"

Anju laughed at the simplicity of the question, expecting something far worse. "It's...different. Less structure, I suppose you could say. Family and respect is a lot less important."

"What do you mean?"

Anju thought for a moment. "Most people move away from their parents. Girls most certainly don't go live with their new family when they're married off. Kids mouth off a lot too." She chuckled, remembering an incident at a supermarket where a kid whined for a lollipop. The boy back talked his mother for about ten minutes throughout the store.

"Oh..." Jai shifted awkwardly, glancing around the room.

"That's not really what you want to talk about, is it, Jai?" The teenager cocked her head to the side, causing her bangs to fall over her eyes.

Jai's eyes widened and he blushed with embarrassment. "I-well-sorry."

Anju chuckled at his apparent discomfort. "Sorry." She let one more escape. "Go ahead, ask away."

"Do you regret it? Coming here?"

"I'm guessing you're trying to ask if I regret keeping the baby?" Anju caught his eyes, and the redness once again appeared on his face, confirming her suspicion. "At first I did. I mean, having a kid young is awful in America and here, if you're pregnant without a husband, it's just as bad. Life on the streets is rough anywhere. It's not like I meant for that...whole...thing to happen though, even if my parents think everyone is good." Tears formed in the corners of her eyes, but they didn't fall. "They want what they think is best at the time. I don't regret keeping it, the baby didn't do anything wrong"

"Oh. That makes sense. Don't you miss your parents though?" This conversation with Jai was unexpected at the least, but it was if he was actually interested, which was even more unexpected.

"Yes. I miss Mama, regardless of the circumstances, she would have loved a grandchild. Father was dead-set against it though."

Jai noticed Anju's attitude about the subject and decided to change it quickly. "Do you know what it is yet?"

Laughing, Anju quickly answered. "Nope. It's going to be a surprise. I don't want to know, don't you think it's more fun that way?"

"I wouldn't know, actually. I don't really remember when Latika was born." He thought of another question to follow suit. "What about names?"

"Not really. I still have a while to go though. So if you have any suggestions, I'll gladly take them." Anju placed her hands on the little round bulge protruding from her dress and smiled.

"I'll get back to you on that." The rest of the afternoon was one of the best she had experienced since coming to India. Jai was very easy to talk to, and Anju found that he was actually funny. He told her about school there, and she told stories of America in exchange. When Latika and Laylan returned that evening, everything went about as usual, although Anju couldn't help but wonder if a day like that would occur again.