R A D H A

On falling in love:

Quickly moving closer to her, he opened his arms to her.  She reached up to him, and naturally, effortlessly fell into them in a tight embrace.  No words were spoken.  A silent pact was sealed in front of God and nature, by two hearts united by the purest of feelings known to mankind.  Like many before them, they knew not where it would take them, but in the lack of wisdom of impetuous youth, they sealed their bond with a kiss.  The birds sang loud and nature rejoiced with them, in this, their grandest moment in life.

On religion:

Radha had learned to pray at her Amma's knees.  She also learned all about her religion from Amma.  Later in life, she had heard it said that Hinduism is a way of life, not just a religion.  The way her Amma practiced Hinduism was more than just a way of life.  It was her whole life!  There was no waking moment in her life that her mother did not think of God.  "Swamee, rakshikkané, " Oh Lord, please take care (of us), her Amma uttered any time she ventured out of her house, and even when Radha set out for school everyday. 

Radha’s personal conflicts:

"What is the meaning of this?  How far do you intend to take this farce?  As an only daughter of this Kalaripparambil house, how could you even think of taking up with such an upstart Christian boy?"  Judge Menon continued.

Danny’s personal conflicts:

His mom would want to meet Radha.  She would also explain to him how Radha would have to convert to Christianity before a church wedding could take place.  In her orthodox eyes where the simple faith in Christ reflected clearly, any other religion would lead away from heaven and she would not condone Danny giving up any chance of his "place in Heaven."

On the opposite side of her world:

The lights of Chicago glittered beneath them like crown jewels strewn on a black velvet cloth, as they looked down upon them from the restaurant atop the John Hancock building. Radha savored her favorite apple pie, and realized how far she was from home, because it was not a dish she would find in any restaurant back home in Trivandrum.

On a picturesque beach:

The evening sun blazed streaks of orange-red fire over the rising emerald waves in the Indian Ocean.  As the waves waned and hit the beach, their fire spread out on the foam, each bubble burning its last bright ember as they died and disappeared on the white and tan grains of sand.