“ Something touched my head !” I hissed . The music grew louder . “ Nani , can you hear the
music too ?!”
My Nani knew I had no type of imagination , confirmed years ago when I ’ d confronted
her in frustrated tears , asking how a lone man could travel all over the world in one night with a
never-ending bag of gi s . Especially considering India was so vast , we couldn ’ t even make it to
the end of the road without stopping for water twice .
“ What does it sound like ?” Nani pushed me off her and gripped me by the shoulders . A
lopsided bindi slid down her forehead .
As if someone had taken possession of my body , I heard my voice muffled and distant ;
“ She ’ s calling me .”
*
I came to , mid-dance . It was daylight and I was dressed in the finery that was reserved
for religious ceremonies or my eventual wedding .
A long , yellow skirt embroidered with blue butterflies and paisley shapes swirled around
me as a plain blue tunic clung to my arms ; outreached towards the Gods and beckoning our
ancestors towards us . Clasping their essence and pushing toward our tin-roofed homes .
My body was controlled by the music now digging in my bones . Nani was muttering
something as more and more people were gathering around me . They were throwing flower
petals , kneeling down with closed eyes whilst others were pleading with begging hands as I