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Akhilandeshwari, or Akhila, is a 45-year-old single income tax clerk who has always lived for others—her family and their expectations. One day, she decides to take a bold step and travels alone to Kanyakumari, seeking independence for the first time. On her journey, she shares a train compartment with five other women, each with their own struggles and stories. Janaki is a confused mother and pampered wife; Margaret Shanti, a chemistry teacher, grapples with an insensitive husband; Prabha Devi, the ideal daughter and wife, yearns for more after glimpsing a swimming pool; fourteen-year-old Sheela possesses an uncanny ability to understand others; and Marikolanthu, whose innocence was shattered by a fleeting moment of desire. As Akhila listens to their experiences, she reflects on her own life and contemplates a profound question: Can a woman find happiness in being single, or is a man essential for fulfillment? The narrative is rich with emotion, humor, and insight, exploring the resilience and choices of everyday women. Nair's writing vividly brings these characters to life, making their desires and struggles palpable as they engage in heartfelt conversations about their lives.
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