About a dozen women are already in front of me. One of them turns to me. “What’re you doing at home, Minni?” Before I can answer, another aunty says, “Rohini went to her village. She’s not well. Minni, have you had to stop going to school?” It’s funny how they ask me questions but don’t wait for me to reply. “Nothing wrong with that. I stopped in seventh grade too.” “At sixteen, you can be married, with that beautiful skin of yours.” “Men don’t want to marry girls who are too educated, anyway.” “That is the truth.” I want to flee, but I need water. “Rohini says you never stop talking. Where’s
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