The Home and the World

Every year, Nikhil sends 6,000 rupees to his sister as a reverence offering. This year, it has not yet reached the bank, but sits in a safe in a dressing room near their master bedroom. Bimala opens the safe and removes twenty rolls of money. The coins are heavy in her sari. She feels shame; she has robbed her house and her country.

In the morning, she sees Rani, who asks if she has heard the news. A band of robbers sent a message threatening to loot the treasury. Bimala can barely hold onto the money, it is so heavy. She is desperate to turn it over to Sandip. She is surprised to find herself angry with Sandip, and men in general, who think nothing of breaking apart a woman’s life for their own progress. Sandip sends for her.

When Bimala sees him, he is rude, demanding the money. She wants to throw the coins into his face. She drops them onto the floor. Sandip and Amulya think they are mere paper rolls, but when they see the coins, they realize how much money she has stolen. Sandip approaches, and she shoves him away, thinking he is going to hit her.