“What fun to be sitting here like this! And wearing these clothes,” thought Purnima to herself. “What would they think in Ponchanontola? And her employer? She would have a fit!” She remembered the day she had gone to work in a long skirt and a pretty top. “You’ve come to clean my house. Not to a party,” her employer had sneered. “Don’t pretend to be who you aren’t.” Deepa, the girl who lived next door, had helped Purnima open a bank account. “Make sure you save some money every month,” Deepa had advised her. “Don’t tell your family how much you earn.” Deepa went to college and unlike most other young women in their locality didn’t think of sex, marriage and movies all the time. She wanted to have a good job and be free. Actually, Purnima often didn’t understand what Deepa talked about but she was impressed all the same. Deepa was quite a bit younger than Purnima but knew so much more. Purnima had saved a thousand rupees a month for the last three years in a recurring deposit account an...
The young Indian-American couple sitting across decided to play their favourite game in public places “What’s their story”. Texting her boyfriend, the girl wrote with confidence, “Just like my parents, only younger. Relatively recent immigrants from India. He’s a techie, she’s a homemaker. She is quiet, gentle, keeps a great home. Gorgeous, isn’t she? Lovely cheekbones, chiseled jawline, lustrous hair, nose ring, kaajal in her dark eyes... He has been so busy at work, and she is exhausted from holding it all together. Now he is taking her out for a special date, so she is all dressed up - don’t you think?” **** Varun, sitting next to her, and unaware of being observed by the young couple, fondly thought of how despite few opportunities, she loved to wear sarees, jhumkas and gajras . Today, her mind seemed occupied as she forgot her shawl at home and was using her pallu to cover her shoulders against the windy San Francisco weather. Back when they were in college, he, ...
Window seat, on the right side, front row – this was Urmila’s favourite seat on the plane. Once she settled down, and fastened her seat belt, her book came out promptly. She ensured that she wouldn’t have to look up till they landed. Her husband, Vikram, who uncomplainingly sat in the middle seat, would handle all interaction with the cabin crew, refusing any service for her. Thankfully, the toilets were in the rear of the plane, so she didn’t have to see any of the other passengers. Once all the passengers had walked past Row 1, she could finally move the scarf off her head and let it fall around her shoulders. Even though her scarf was a beautifully spun cotton one, and was colour-coordinated with her shirt, it was still uncomfortable to have it over her head all the time. While her eyes were on the book on her lap, her thoughts were far away. It had been over 6 months since she had last visited her parents. This was the longest she had not been home, but...
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