Under the Tamarind Tree by Nigar Alam

Author:Nigar Alam [Alam, Nigar]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2023-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

20

Then, 1964

The Welcome Home Ball

Soon after Rozeena returned from the clinic, Aalya arrived at Rozeena’s house to get ready for Haaris’s Welcome Home Ball with her. They only had an hour before the invitation time, and a buzz of nervous excitement filled Rozeena’s bedroom.

After quickly tying her own navy-blue sari, Rozeena made room for Aalya in front of the mirror. It covered the entire length of the wardrobe’s single door, so they had full view of the sari to check if the pleats fell correctly. Rozeena had chosen her mother’s shocking-pink one for Aalya, thinking it would enhance her natural complexion. As Rozeena concentrated on making perfect folds, ensuring the fabric draped seamlessly from Aalya’s waist to the floor, Aalya bit her lip and fidgeted.

“Don’t worry,” Rozeena said with a reassuring smile. “I do this every day for the clinic. I know how to tie saris.”

“Oh, it’s not that, Rozee.” She twisted her mouth. “But what if tonight isn’t enough? What if—”

“Sshhh. Don’t say that.” She raised a finger to Aalya’s pouty lips.

After carefully hanging the loose end of the sari over Aalya’s shoulder, Rozeena took her hand.

“Tonight is just the beginning. There’ll be many more nights and parties where you’ll meet people.” Rozeena grinned. “Think of tonight like your first day of school. Do you remember?”

Aalya’s face relaxed into a smile, and she pressed both their hands together, melding them into one like her mother had done that day.

“Of course I remember,” she said. “I stepped onto the school bus feeling safe and strong because we were joined like this, like sisters.”

Rozeena nodded, and in that moment their recent silences and arguments flitted away like weak clouds. The sky was clear once again. Their bond was secure. She stepped back and nodded approvingly at Aalya, shimmering in her simplicity, in her natural beauty. But Rozeena had a finishing touch.

“Ammi’s lipstick,” Rozeena said, holding it up. Neither one of them wore makeup, and wouldn’t until marriage, as was done in families like theirs. But Aalya’s mother had given permission for tonight.

Rozeena dabbed the bright pink onto Aalya’s lips, and the shade matched her sari perfectly. As Aalya giggled at the mirror, making faces and smacking her unfamiliar lips, Rozeena spotted her nails, coated with fresh pink Cutex, and wondered if it was another gift from Zohair. But Rozeena wouldn’t comment on it. It was too important a night.

“Neelum Aunty is waiting to see you all dressed up,” she said with a wide smile.

Aalya nodded and headed to the door. “And then let’s meet on my roof before we walk over to Haaris’s?”

Rozeena immediately agreed. They’d never missed spying on a rooftop party at the Shahs’ before, and they wouldn’t start today. They’d spent too many childhood nights gazing down at the dancing, the revelry, the glimpses of lifestyles they’d only heard about. It felt like a necessary ritual tonight. But this time they’d go straight from Aalya’s rooftop to Haaris’s. It would be a true transition for Aalya, one that would secure her future.

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