Boomi’s Boombox by Shanthi Sekaran

Author:Shanthi Sekaran
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2023-03-14T00:00:00+00:00

Track 17

Abracadabra

My landing was all cracks and scrapes this time. I fell right into the bush by Jeevan’s front door. This time, those twitching curtains were flung apart. Doors were opened. The people of Alphabet Street stepped out of their doors and onto the sidewalk.

Among the dozens of people who’d moved in to gawk at me, there stood three old Indian women. One of them, in a sari and overcoat and sneakers, pointed one crooked brown finger at me. “She’s a devi! She’s a goddess who’s come to Earth!”

“Not a devi,” said the woman beside her. “A devil!”

The third joined in. “She’s a djinn! See how her skin sparks with light! She’s magic!”

“Not magic—a menace!”

“A rakshasi!”

“A yakshini!”

“A miracle!”

“A travesty!”

Whatever I was, Paati was not amused. She ignored her neighbors and rose above me, straight and solid as an old bell tower. For a few endless seconds, she just stood there, staring down at me. “And?” she said. “You’re just going to sit there, are you?”

My mouth went dry. “Is that a rhetorical question?”

“Up. Now.”

Without a word, Paati pulled me into the house. Jeevan sat on the entry stairs, looking like the blood had drained from his face, down his body, and dripped out through his toes. “I think we’re in trouble.”

Paati led us into the sitting room, with its fuzzy wallpaper and armchairs with tassels. The television stared out at me, blank-faced. On it sat the old picture of Archie and Jeevan, both of them combed and pressed and dimpled.

“Sit,” Paati commanded. She sat in an armchair. Carefully, I lowered myself onto the red sofa that faced her, its plastic cover creaking under my weight. Jeevan perched beside me.

“Well?!” she snapped. I jumped.

“Well . . .” I began. I didn’t know where to start. Or where to end.

“This is Boomi,” Jeevan blurted.

“That,” Paati said, gazing coolly at her son, “is the only thing I do know. Tell me, Boomi. What were you doing falling from the sky and into my hydrangea plant?”

“Well, I guess . . .”

“She’s visiting!” Jeevan cut in.

Paati cocked an eyebrow. “I see. And is she visiting us?”

“No,” I said quietly.

“What was that?”

“I’m not—” My nerves held my voice in their grip. I couldn’t get the words out.

“She’s joining my class, Mum, and the headmaster asked me to walk Boomi through last year’s coursework, to make sure she’s all caught up.”

Paati turned to me. “This is true?”

No. “Yes.”

“I see.” She studied us for a few seconds. “Well. It’s very clear you’re both lying through your rotting little teeth, but I’m sure the truth will show itself soon enough.” She turned to me. “Now. Boomi. I’m guessing this is short for Boomika, Mother Earth. The meaning of your name tells me that you are a practical girl, and not susceptible to the kind of foolish predicaments my son seems to encounter at every turn.”

“Oh, I’m very susceptible to foolish predicaments,” I said. The words had come unstuck.

“And have you a place to go this evening? Have you a

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