Sudha’s mother is shocked when she finds her daughter standing at the front door. She should not be traveling alone, especially in her condition, Nalini tells her daughter. When Sudha tells her mother about the abortion, Nalini advises her daughter to return to her husband. She says it is better to go through with the abortion than to face the disgrace and shame of being divorced.

When Pishi hears what is happening, she disagrees with Nalini. Pishi comforts Sudha and encourages her to stay. So does Anju’s mother, Gouri Ma. Later that night, the three older women have a heated discussion, the faint sounds of which Sudha can hear through the bedroom walls. In the end, however, it is decided that Sudha should stay with her mother and her aunts.

It does not take long for Sudha’s mother-in-law to serve Sudha with divorce papers. Sudha is surprised at how much comfort she feels in signing the papers, knowing her marriage is over. Now her life will be focused solely on her daughter. To have enough money to help raise Sudha’s daughter as well as take care of themselves, Gouri Ma and Pishi decide to sell the family home. The large ancient home is crumbling but the land on which the house sits has become quite valuable. They will make enough money for all of them to live well if they move to an apartment.

In California, Anju is again angry with Sunil. He has told her that she made a mistake in suggesting that Sudha go to her mother’s place. Sunil has also suggested that having an abortion is not such a bad idea or a big sacrifice. Sunil’s lack of sensitivity shocks Anju. In time, they make up, which gives Anju a chance to think more deeply about Sudha’s predicament. Anju wonders about the possibility of her bringing Sudha to America.

Over the next couple of days, Anju thinks through all the details of such an arrangement. She makes a list of everything that would have to be done and then calculates how much money it would take. Anju decides she will not ask her husband for the money; instead, she will find a job. She will do all of this in secret. She will work during the day while Sunil is gone and save her money in a special bank account. When she has saved enough to pay for Sudha’s visa and airline tickets, she will tell them both of her plans. Anju imagines Sudha living down the street from them, close enough for their children to be raised together. Anju remembers how creative and skilled Sudha is as a seamstress and can see Sudha starting a small business to eventually support herself.