Just the very voice of Her , and I knew I was saved . No more clenching my eyes shut at night .
She appeared through a cloud of floating flower petals . The brown of Her skin , the black
of Her hair , the white of Her teeth – radiance . She was wrapped in a heavy cloak adorned with
strange writings , patches of traditional fabrics , coins , chains , and an iridescent square of the
Moon itself .
Two hoops of silver threaded through Her long , wide nose made my own nose-ring blush .
“ I want to dance .” I smiled .
“ Then , Vedika ” Hearing my name from the mouth of Her - our saviour , our deity , our
healer – I felt tears slip down my cheeks . I was Vedika . I wasn ’ t the one to blame , I wasn ’ t the
shamed one . I was Vedika . “ Dance for us .”
I didn ’ t look at Papa being thrown to the floor by Nani .
I had seen enough of him .
As I started swirling in my dusty skirt , I saw Mama collapse at Nani ’ s feet . My eyes filled
with fresh tears , but I continued to swirl , faster when I heard Papa screaming .
Faster when his deep screaming reached shrill shrieking .
Faster when Mama asked ‘ WHY ?’.