Chapter 7 'Sunny' — Summary, Themes, and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Reha opens the chapter by admitting she cannot recall the exact moment she first met her best friend, Sunny. Sunny’s given name is Sunita, but nobody ever calls her that—she is simply Sunny to everyone. Reha’s mother, Amma, has told her the story: Sunny’s family moved to town when Reha was two years old. At that time, Sunny’s mother, Rupa Auntie, was heavily pregnant with Sunny’s younger brother and exhausted, while Sunny herself was a whirlwind of energy. The two girls were born only about a month apart, so close in age that they might as well have been twins.
Because Rupa Auntie needed rest, Amma would bring Sunny over to their house in the afternoons, and the two girls would play together for hours while Rupa Auntie napped. Despite their very different personalities, Reha and Sunny never argue. Sunny is the flashier of the two: she wears the latest fashions, has a separate phone line in her own room, and dreams of becoming an actress. Reha privately doubts Sunny’s chances, though she admits Sunny is dramatic enough for the stage.
The chapter’s central tension emerges when Reha expresses a wish: she longs to attend the same school as Sunny, so that she could see her friend’s familiar face in the hallways and finally feel like the two halves of her life—home and school—are whole. But her parents, Amma and Daddy, insist on sending her to a private school. They remind her that she is their only child, and they see no reason to spend money on anything else. As a result, Reha’s life is split: weekdays belong to school, weekends belong to Sunny.
Key Events
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Reha reflects on not remembering her first meeting with Sunny, relying on Amma’s account.
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Amma explains that Sunny’s family moved to town when Reha was two, and that Sunny’s mother was pregnant and tired.
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The two girls are about a month apart in age, making them nearly twins.
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Amma would bring Sunny over for afternoon play sessions while Rupa Auntie napped.
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Reha and Sunny never argue despite their differences in style, interests, and ambitions.
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Reha wishes she could attend school with Sunny to unite the two parts of her life.
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Her parents refuse, citing her status as their only child and their preference for private school.
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The chapter ends with the established routine: weekdays at school, weekends with Sunny.
Character Development
This chapter deepens our understanding of Reha’s inner world. She is a thoughtful narrator who accepts her parents’ decisions but quietly yearns for a more integrated life. Her inability to remember meeting Sunny suggests that their friendship is so foundational that it feels like it has always existed. Reha’s observation of Sunny’s differences—her fashion sense, her phone line, her acting dreams—shows that Reha is perceptive and slightly envious, though she never voices resentment.
Reha’s relationship with her parents is also clarified. Amma and Daddy are loving but firm, and their insistence on private school is framed as a natural consequence of having only one child. Reha does not argue; she simply notes the divide between her weekday and weekend selves. This quiet acceptance hints at her tendency to internalize conflict, a trait that may become more significant later in the novel.
Sunny, though not present in the scene, is vividly characterized through Reha’s memories. She is energetic, dramatic, and socially confident—traits that contrast sharply with Reha’s more reserved nature. The fact that they never argue despite these differences suggests a deep mutual acceptance, making their friendship a rare source of stability in Reha’s life.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Friendship as a Counterbalance – Sunny represents the playful, spontaneous side of Reha’s life. Their friendship thrives on contrast, and Reha values it precisely because it offers something her school life does not.
Separation and Longing for Wholeness – The weekday/weekend split is a powerful symbol of Reha’s fragmented identity. She explicitly wishes for her two worlds to merge, but her parents’ decision keeps them apart. This longing for wholeness becomes a central emotional thread.
Parental Expectations – Amma and Daddy’s choice of private school is presented as an expression of love and sacrifice, but it also imposes a structure that Reha must navigate. Their reasoning—“You are our only one”—underscores the weight of being an only child.
Contrast Between Friends – The chapter highlights how different Reha and Sunny are, from clothing to ambitions. Yet their bond endures, suggesting that friendship can bridge even the widest gaps.
Dreams vs. Reality – Sunny’s dream of becoming an actress is met with Reha’s private skepticism, yet Reha acknowledges Sunny’s dramatic flair. This tension between aspiration and practicality echoes Reha’s own unspoken desires.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 7 establishes the emotional core of the novel: Reha’s deep connection to Sunny and the structural separation that defines her daily life. It introduces the central conflict of Reha’s split existence, which will likely influence her choices and relationships as the story progresses. The chapter also humanizes Reha’s parents, showing that their decisions come from a place of love, even if they create unintended distance. By grounding the narrative in this foundational friendship, LaRocca gives readers a lens through which to understand Reha’s later struggles and growth.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Reha wish she could go to school with Sunny, and what does this reveal about her feelings?
Reha wishes she could attend school with Sunny because she wants to see her friend’s familiar face in the hallways and feel like the two halves of her life—home and school—are whole. This reveals her deep desire for integration and belonging. She feels that her life is currently divided, and having Sunny at school would bridge that gap, making her existence feel more complete.
2. How does the chapter portray the relationship between Reha and her parents regarding her education?
The chapter shows that Reha’s parents are loving but firm in their decision to send her to private school. They justify it by saying she is their only child and that they have no other expenses. Reha does not push back; she accepts their choice, which suggests a respectful but somewhat passive dynamic. The parents’ reasoning reflects their prioritization of her education, but it also creates the separation Reha laments.
3. What role does contrast play in the friendship between Reha and Sunny?
Contrast is central to their friendship. Sunny is fashionable, outgoing, and dreams of acting, while Reha is more reserved and observant. Despite these differences, they never argue, indicating that their bond is built on mutual acceptance rather than similarity. The contrast highlights how friendship can thrive on diversity, and it also underscores the different paths the two girls might take in life.
Navigation
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