Malini, Pramod and the unasked questions

Under the Image's questions, Manjula admits that Malini was more attractive, more intelligent and more vivacious than she was, and that she herself always felt 'second best'.

Malini got the parents' attention and money; Manjula grew up with her grandparents in Dharwad. After the parents died, the sisters sold the big house in Koramangala, and Malini moved into Manjula's smaller home.

Kannada was Manjula's own territory; Malini thought and dreamt in English. Living with Malini improved Manjula's English.

Manjula tells the comic story of Pramod's mixed-up letters, how he came to marry her, and how close he and Malini became.

Pramod left for Los Angeles soon after Malini's death, and only sent an email to congratulate her on the book. When the Image presses her on dates (when exactly was the novel written?), Manjula explodes, and then suddenly grows calm. The private story behind the public one is coming out.