Under the Eastern Sky

'You really think so?'
'Yes, I do.'
'I'm trying to understand your point.'
'Maybe, you should stop trying so hard to understand everything.'
'Maybe.'
'Maybe.'

Nabeela dropped Ruma off at her place. She couldn't take her mind off the conversation. The eastern sky had taken on a peachy orange colour and the Azaan would go in just under ten minutes. Nabeela looked at her phone. Eight missed calls from home. The table must have been set by now. As soon as she would enter, Dadu would ask her to put on the headscarf and sit beside her. Mom would gently pour Nabeela's favourite chicken haleem on her bowl with a squeeze of lemon. Dad would pass on a glass of glucose water which she would refuse but eventually agree to drink because that's what she had been fine-tuned to do. That's what we all have been fine-tuned to do.

Maybe it really is one of the first world problems. Crisis of faith or a lack of direction, whatever you call it. As Ruma said, it's one of those issues you think about when you have too much time in your hand and your room is air-conditioned and you have fancy food on your plate. Nabeela thought of Kulsum. Had she or her sister ever felt anything like this? Maybe Nabeela should really focus on her bowl of haleem and her air-conditioner at times.

The next day Nabeela hoped Ruma wouldn't remember anything from the conversation they had had the day, before but she did.

'So, how are you feeling today?'

'Hey, I'm sorry I talked you into all that yesterday. ''T was childish.' 

'No, Nabu. I'm your best friend. We can talk about things like these.' 

'Thank you, Rumu. I love you.'

Ruma got off and Nabeela asked her driver to turn left. He stared at her for a few moments but she cast him an assuring look. Nabeela switched off her phone and put it back in her purse. In one of its pockets lay the dried jasmine garland that she had bought from Kulsum at her college gate in the morning. 

Kulsum was really surprised to see Nabeela. She was sitting on the ground and her red frock was as dirty as her hands. 

'Kulsum, kheyechho kichhu?'

'Abba bhaat aanle khamu.'

So, Kulsum had been starving and her family too. No meal for her mother, her handicapped sister, her blind grandparents, or herself before her father returned from work. Nabeela thought of the dates, the haleem and the glucose water on her table. It's a strange world. She decided she would starve as long as Kulsum had to. 

Nabeela sat on the ground with six-year-old Kulsum beside her. The eastern sky was losing colour rapidly. Was Nabeela's abstinence a show-off on the face of Kulsum's? Was Kulsum getting more rewards for staying hungry?

Up above the seven heavens, someone must be playing a one-sided game.