Hyderabad, India (Photo: Pixabay)
“Can you see him?” Aashi danced on the balls of her feet. “Is he here?”
Her sister slowly passed the binoculars over the crowd.
“Maha!”
Maha sighed and adjusted her sari. She had taken Aashi to the roof because the girl’s incessant buzzing got on Dādī’s nerves. Grandma was anxious enough for Uncle Panav’s arrival without her youngest granddaughter upsetting the chapati.
“He’ll be here soon,” Maha allowed. She didn’t really think she’d be able to spot him. Still she kept the binoculars trained on the market hive below.
Heat rose from the street, stirred by hawkers’ calls and drivers’ horns and the indistinct hubbub of people that had made Hyderabad home.
Aashi’s bangles jangled. Some were Maha’s till this morning.
She touched her nose ring. A gift from Uncle Panav, who will be Chaacha no more. Her chest tightened. Tomorrow, after they wed, she’ll call him Pati.
Hindi Glossary: Chaacha – uncle; chapati – unleavened Indian bread; Dādī – Grandma; Pati – husband
For What Pegman Saw: Hyderabad, India
Na'ama Yehuda 
Very nice, Na’ama! You constantly amaze and delight me!
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Yay! Hugs, my friend.
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This would be incest. Sad and unfortunate reality.
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If it is an immediate uncle, yes, it will be. And yes, it is an unfortunate reality. In the real event this is loosely based on (my friend’s mother from Mumbai had been married to a much older relative at 14), the “Uncle,” though he was referred to as “Uncle,” wasn’t a brother of a parent but the cousin of the mother. Still very close in relation but not literally incestual. Important comment, Abhijit, thank you!
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Actually in certain states such marriages happen. Erstwhile Andhra Pradesh is an example. Also among Muslim community such a practice happens. True uncle can be a neighbor or a distant relative. In the flow of things it appeared to be a close relation.
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Exactly!
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Your characters leap from the page. I could see and feel it all. Wonderful.
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Yay, I’m so glad! 🙂 Thank you for this kind feedback!
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Super story! You capture Maha’s ambivalent feelings so well, and the contrast with young Aashi’s unalloyed excitement is very effective and powerful. Lovely, skilful. humane writing!
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Thank you, Penny! 🙂 As always, your feedback if substantive and generous. 🙂 Na’ama
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You’re very welcome, Na’ama 🙂
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Oh! I do not like where this is leading only because of the content, not your writing. You brought the city and these young girls to life with sights, smells and the feeling of extreme heat.
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Thank you, Alicia! Such uncertain future (and often lack of choice) is still the reality for many women (and girls) around the world.
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