For children: Sarayu’s family and neighbours have strong opinions about her skin colour

“Beta, you’re here!”

Neha mami enveloped Sarayu in a warm hug the moment she stepped out of the car. Mami smelled of sandalwood, even at that early hour.

Sarayu stepped into the house in a daze. Not much had changed since her last visit. There was one big difference though; this time, she wouldn’t be sharing space with Viveka. She and her mum would be living in a different flat where she would have her own room and bathroom.

Mami fussed over her, setting out milk and biscuits after she’d brushed her teeth. Her mum was already deep in conversation, the suitcases half-open and gifts spread across the table. Even as breakfast was being cleared, plans for lunch and dinner were being made. It felt like everyone was trying to cram a week into a single day.

“Mami, we’re here for a while this time, you don’t have to feed us everything today!” Sarayu laughed, hugging her mami and holding on tightly. “Didn’t you say Anita akka will be staying with us and she cooks well too? I plan to learn how to make proper desi food while I’m here.”

“Oh, Sarayu, I wish Viveka showed half the interest you do. She says I only talk about food and clothes...

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