The Storyteller's Secret

Deepak invites Stephen to Raksha Bandhan, a holiday that celebrates the bond between brother and sister. Deepak’s conniving, gossiping sister Janna is also there. When Amisha trips and nearly drops a large platter of dishes, Stephen moves to help her, but Amisha quickly signals him to stay back as any help from him “would be seen as an insult to Deepak” (248). The group shares the meal, with Deepak insisting that Stephen “eat like an Indian” (248) in their home.

After the meal, the group lights candles and prays to Lord Ganesha. Janna and Deepak show their sibling bond by reciting prayers for each other’s happiness and binding their hands together with a red and golden string. Then, Janna, who “always walked a fine line between good behavior and causing mischief” (250) suggests that helping Amisha at the school qualifies Stephen to become her ceremonial brother. Deepak seconds this suggestion.

Panicked, Amisha denies that she has a suitable string, but Janna finds spare string and pushes them to continue the ceremony. Amisha nicks the string with her fingernail while Stephen covertly helps her. The string breaks, canceling the ceremony. Stephen concludes the awkward affair by saying to Amisha: “I am not meant to be your brother after all” (252).