Later that night, Radhika overhears Velamma on the phone with her elder daughter-in-law (the submissive one).
Velamma is sitting on her favorite living room chair, sipping chai. Her expression is smug. Across from her, her new daughter-in-law, Radhika (the younger, modern bride), is trying to sneak out of the house in a pair of jeans and a crop top.
Radhika hands Velamma a broom and a stack of unwashed dishes.
"Oh ho! Look what happened! Now you can’t go out at all. Such a shame. But don’t worry – the kitchen needs help anyway. Start chopping onions."