Serendipitous reunions, bittersweet partings, unexpected discoveries, betrayals, abuse and violence: these and life's other intermittent challenges form the premise of the stories in this collection.

When the Girl Died throws up the Mathurs' discomfiture when confronted with the news of a rape.

In The Messenger, rational and cynical Aarti suddenly starts hallucinating about her late father. Is there an omen there?

Young Anuja Grows Up as her family grapples with the skeletons tumbling out of their tightly guarded closet.

In Amma, a celebrated classical singer is resurrected after her passing by her devoted biographer.

Finding Shobha describes a tuition teacher's coming to terms with her erratically fluctuating mood and her rapidly emptying nest.

In Of Swans and Songs, an extramarital affair breaks an acclaimed surgeon's family that then tries to mend ties and move on towards a semblance of peace.

And a fortuitous coming together of generations and cultures ensures that the Limayes enjoy A Happy Diwali.

These are stories about seemingly ordinary, everyday people - the drama in their lives, in their struggles and dreams. Their emotional personas. The strength they find to overcome life's roadblocks and rediscover the happy equilibrium that was once theirs.