Thirst by Varsha Bajaj

Author:Varsha Bajaj [Bajaj, Varsha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2022-07-19T00:00:00+00:00

- 22 -

The intense heat is back on Monday, and I decide to take the bus to work after school. As we roll away, I look out the window and see Faiza with some other girls from our neighborhood. They are standing in front of a market, laughing and looking at a magazine, and sharing a package of chips. I would give a lot to be with them right now, rather than headed to a job that I don’t like and am no good at. I know Faiza will always be my best friend, but I imagine her moving on and me being left behind. I wonder if I need to find new friends who also have jobs. Except where is the time for friends?

When I arrive at the high-rise, I’m surprised to see Pinky open the door.

“I’m so glad to see you,” she says. “I was scared you wouldn’t come.”

Why wouldn’t I come? Did she think her grandmother’s words would keep me away? If only I could explain to Pinky that jagged words are flung at people like me all the time. I was taught to swallow my pride and sweep them away. I don’t have the choice to leave or act hurt.

I now have a routine at work. I dust and sweep and mop the apartment. Then I knead the dough and roll rotis. On days that Anita Ma’am doesn’t have her yoga class, she often follows me around from room to room, making sure that I’ve not missed a speck of dust and pointing out barely visible blemishes on her shining white marble floors.

I want to tell her that she could use her eagle-eye vision to do something more useful, but I bite my tongue.

Instead, I say, “Yes, ma’am.”

I’m changing the sheets on Pinky’s bed when Pinky’s grandmother enters. “Meena,” she says. “Did you wash your hands before you touched the clean sheets?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say. I remember one of Ma’s lessons. Do as you’re told. Don’t question.

As she leaves, she says, “Pinky, don’t close your door.”

“Yes, Grandmother,” Pinky calls out.

Why is Pinky’s grandmother keeping an eye on us? What does she imagine will happen?

Pinky whispers, “Did you like that card game?”

When I’m silent, she says, “I had so much fun.”

I did have fun. I remember Pinky gave my ma the mango. I remember Ma telling me that she was a nice girl. She can be nice, but I’m exhausted. Everything feels like a minefield here.

“I liked the card game,” I say.

“Meena,” she says. “Can I call you Minni? I heard your mom call you that.”

I want to say, My friends call me Minni too, but you’re not my friend. If you were my friend, you would say, “Minni, my grandmother is wrong about you.”

Instead I say, “Sorry, but I have to get to work.”

I stretch the sheets, tuck the corners tight, and keep my mouth shut.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.