I love ambiguities in characters. Not only was This Blessed House gorgeous in terms of storytelling and prose, but also the characters. I was totally charmed by perky Twinkle and gruff Sanjeev.

Twinkle and Sanjeev’s characters were revealed bit by bit on practically ever page, even in moments I didn’t expect. One simple action (like when Sanjeev is alphabetizing his library of engineering books) at first glance didn’t mean anything, but on further reflection, represented somehow the totality of Sanjeev. That was just so him. I found myself smiling. “Of course Sanjeev is alphabetizing his library.”

One of the best parts of this whole story, however, was the ending. Throughout the entire story, tension seems to be building between the two because of their differing ideas about the religious trinkets they keep finding. Twinkle is beyond tickled; wants to display them, put them on the counters and point them out. Sanjeev is not amused. He keeps having to point out to her that they are by no means Christians.

Sanjeev seems to keep giving in because he loves her, but at the same time, continues to become more and more frustrated. During the party, where Twinkle is enjoying herself and giving the guests tours of their home, complete with all kinds of Christian paraphernalia, Sanjeev is busy tending to the guests and their practical needs, food and drink and taking their coats.

In the end, Twinkle finds the crown jewel of all of the miscellaneous relics she and Sanjeev have discovered – a bust of Jesus Christ, and Sanjeev (reluctantly) carries it down to where she wants it. This decision, though, doesn’t explain his thought process. It seems to mme that there are two main ways he could be thinking. The first, is that he decides that his love for Twinkle conquers his embarrassment of his eccentricities and quirks.

We’re prone to assume this thought because we fall in love with Twinkle, and can see that he loves her.

The other is that Sanjeev has given in, but for all we know, is simply resigned in a bitter situation he is tired of making consolations in. For all we know, he is thinking about next week’s divorce.