In pursuit of Identity
'I am sick of this!' she grunted loudly. Sitting on the bank of River Godavari in the city of Paithan , Ilaa felt strangled by her father as he pressured her into getting married. She threw a small rock in the flow of the river and watched the ripple. This was her escape from reality. Watching the river glisten and flow like a free spirit, overcoming all obstacles. However, not even the pleasant breeze or submerging her feet in the water could keep her mind off her father ’ s words. That morning, while cooking chapatis , Ilaa overheard her father Vaivasvata Manu, talking to her elder brother Govind. “ After this harvest, it would be the best time to get Ilaa married. ” Her brother agreed and said, “ Merchants are always looking for good brides for their sons. ” Those words filled her heart with outrage. Last year, she sacrificed her education and started working on the fields so that she could avoid marriage. However, Ilaa...