Homeless Bird Chapter 5 Summary

  • The Mehtas talk to an astrologer to find out when would be the best day for Chandra to get married, and they decide on January 2 for the big day.
  • Chandra is more excited than ever to marry Raman, who works with computers. Koly heard her dad talk about computers once, so she knows they must bring home the dough.
  • She's excited for Chandra, but she wonders whether her sister-in-law will be happy. What if they are not a good match for each other?
  • Chandra explains that so long as she's a good wife, Raman will be good to her. Koly's not so sure it's that simple, though.
  • When Mrs. Mehta instructs Koly to hand over her silver earrings for Chandra's dowry, Koly refuses—she's already planned to use them to buy herself a train ticket to run away.
  • That night Mrs. Mehta tells her husband how wicked Koly is. She's just so selfish to keep those earrings for herself.
  • Mr. Mehta reminds his wife that they are using Koly's pension for being a widow to pay for Chandra's dowry in the first place, so maybe don't do anything rash.
  • Koly is shocked to hear this—that money belongs to her. When she asks Chandra about it, her sis is surprised, too; she had no idea. Chandra worries that without that money, she won't have a husband.
  • Even though it's not Chandra's fault, Koly is still mad. She's not going to take that money away from Chandra, but she won't give up her earrings either.
  • Koly tells Mrs. Mehta that her widow's pension is to come to her next time it arrives, but Mrs. Mehta points out that they let her live there and feed her, so the money is theirs. Ouch.
  • This isn't fair, but there also isn't anything Koly can do about it.
  • Chandra asks Koly to make her a quilt for a wedding gift, and Koly obliges. When it's done, it's so elaborately embroidered that even Mrs. Mehta admits it's beautiful.
  • By the time the wedding rolls around, it's been three years since Koly married Hari. Koly wants to help Chandra get ready, but Mrs. Mehta won't let her because of tradition.
  • During the festivities, Koly recognizes how different this is from her wedding—everyone is happy and celebrating, and there isn't a sickly groom and frightened girl at the altar.
  • Chandra and Koly say goodbye to one another through tears. When Chandra tells Koly she'll miss her the most, Koly realizes all her happiness is vanishing.