Deva, Temple of Treachery

Chapter 3

"Take me with you!"

Amara's voice rang in the mansion. The servants looked uncomfortable with their lady's outrage.

"Focus on your studies, Amara," Amos kissed her forehead. "This is just a courtesy meeting in Bombay to welcome the new Director-General."

"You know it isn't. There has been a year since they found the temple, and the studies show that it is older than even the Indus Valley Civilizations. That means that all we know is wrong. You will most likely be a candidate to receive the site along with so many others."

"The site is unstable; several teams of archeologists have already been buried and even more have gone missing. It is too dangerous even if I were to go there," Amos said, holding her firm. "I lost your father to a dangerous dig. I don't intend to do the same mistake again. You will stay here."

He turned to Milana, his eyes gentle. "I apologize for the hasty journey, lady Mahadevi."

"Don't be silly, Amos. Just safely return to me," she gave him a faint smile, but the worry was plastered onto her face like moss on a stone.

"I will," Amos kissed her hand. "You have my promise."

He patted Amara's head one last time before rushing out, thanking the servant for opening the door for him.

"I should have gone with him! If only to introduce myself to what will be my colleagues in the future. Many of my classmates will be there," Amara said, her eyes flashing in frustration.

"They drove there, Amos will travel by train and you-"

"Aren't allowed on trains. There is something disturbing when we Indians built the damn thing but aren't allowed on it," Amara said, her eyes looking up as she couldn't stand the watch her mother, but she heard her sigh.

"That is not his fault." Her mother's voice was faint, but the uncertainty underneath was there. Amara knew her mother was an outsider. She had been Varanasi's most outstanding lady when her father was alive, then he died and left all to her. Amos took care of them both and Amara has watched the attitudes of those around go from admiration to disgust as she became closer to Amos. Her own people saw her as a traitor while the Brits never saw her as one of them. She sacrificed a lot. Amara could never understand why Amos hasn't married her yet, but her mother hadn't pushed so neither should she.

"I know, it is just frustrating. I feel trapped," Amara said. Her mother watched her, not saying anything for a while.

"You probably always will be."

Eyes darted to her mother, "what?"

"My little girl, you haven't chosen an easy path. A woman isn't welcomed among the men. At best you will be a teacher in history, at worst you won't even be allowed to do that."

"I know, but what am I suppose to do about it other than to fight the injustice."

"You can scream all you want at the ocean, but it won't part for you," Milana smiled, stroking her cheek. "You aren't a child anymore. It is time for you to get married."

"Ma!"

Milana raised her hand, stopping the incoming protests. "I have waited long enough, if you won't choose, then I will do so for you."

"But my education-"

"Can continue, I will take it into consideration but I'm old, Amara. It would do me good if I knew you are taken care of."

"I can take care of myself," Amara clenched her teeth, wanting to scream out her frustration.

"Not in this world. I'm sorry, little monkey, but I at least want you to consider the men I have chosen for you," Milana said, rising with grace from the sofa before exiting the hallway. Amara made a fist, feeling the blood go to her head. Have chosen? Not will choose? Her mother has already decided and just neglected to tell her. Like her opinion did not matter, like the way she has chosen to live her life was all for nothing.