Koly Timeline and Summary

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• When Koly's mom mentions that they are going to start looking for a husband for her, Koly's not so sure she's interested. It doesn't really matter, though, since her dad lines up a suitor and irons out the details before she knows it.
• She's nervous to meet her new hubby, but also excited about the possibility of marriage.
• She packs her bags and heads to the Mehtas' house with her mom's special silver earrings in tow.
• When she meets her husband, Hari, at the altar, she—and everyone else—is shocked. He's obviously very sick and not very old either. It doesn't really matter, though, because she's his wife now.
• Koly tries to do the chores and help her mother-in-law out, but Mrs. Mehta doesn't seem to care for her very much. This makes sense when Koly learns that Hari has tuberculosis and only married her for her dowry.
• Hari's parents use Koly's dowry to fund a trip to the Ganges, where the water can cure diseases.
• While there, Hari dies. Koly mourns with Hari's parents, partly for Hari, and partly for her future being taken away from her.
• Back at the Mehta house, Koly tries her hardest on her chores, but Mrs. Mehta finds fault with everything she does.
• Meanwhile, though, Mr. Mehta teaches her how to read. She's thrilled since she's always wanted to know the secrets of books.
• Koly's only comfort is that Chandra, her sister-in-law, is nice to her. They are good friends and share everything.
• Then Chandra gets married and Koly is left only with Hari's parents.
• One day, Mr. Mehta, who's quite depressed, just goes into his room and dies.
• Koly tries harder than ever to impress Mrs. Mehta, but it's of no use.
• Mrs. Mehta tells her they're going to Delhi to live with her brother, but Koly suspects something is up.
• Along the way, Mrs. Mehta ditches Koly in Vrindavan, a town full of widows. Koly has nowhere to stay.
• Luckily, a nice rickshaw driver named Raji helps her out and takes her to a widows' house.
• There, Koly makes friends and finds work as an embroiderer. She loves her job and finally gets to use the skills her mom taught her.
• Each night after work, Raji comes over and she teaches him how to read. Pretty soon, the two of them are in love.
• Raji asks Koly to marry him, and after thinking it over, she says yes—but only if she gets to keep working. He's reluctant at first, but eventually he gets on board.
• Koly makes a quilt full of memories of her life for her dowry. She is going to marry Raji and move to his farm, but also keep on keeping on with her sewing work.