Pushing aside the attendants and mentally noting the décor of the beautiful, well-lit room, Mrs Parkash Kaur, the proud ‘dadi’ (paternal grandmother) picked up her grandson. The joy of holding one’s grand –son surpassed everything…The stigma of being barren in the sense that till one doesn’t bear a son has passed the ‘parivaar’ (family).

Rhea watched her mother-in-law, this sophisticate matron who ruled the elite, select echelon of the ruling Jat families which mattered with an iron glove melting at the sight of her progeny. It didn’t matter that Kudrat was the first born, cynosure of everyone’s eyes. She would have to fight forever. From the moment of conception, to the suspense of what sex the baby would be to. The girl child has to even fight for the right to be born from within.

This strange dance between the x and y chromosomes determines destiny in every household of Punjab striking at the heart crossing all boundaries of wealth, caste, creed.

Shrugging and quashing these philosophical thoughts Rhea thought mercenarily of the shagun, Mama had brought. Would it be a diamond ‘n emerald set from Suhaas or a polki one from Suranas??

Well, she knew she had hit the jackpot.