Child Brides of India

By C. Stanton Leman

Chapter 32: A Nanny for Aleeya (Mg ped, rom, cones, no sex)

Aleeya and I awoke about six, and got up and showered. I told her to get cleaned up and start getting dressed while I woke Priya. I went next door and Priya was awake and just lying in bed on her side crying.

I asked her, “What’s wrong, my beloved, why are your crying?”

She sobbed, “I miss you, I miss going to sleep and waking up with you, that’s all.”

I leaned down to her and pulling her up to me, hugged her warmly. I told her, “Why don’t we talk to Aleeya and see if you and I can have a night together?”

Priya just silently shook her head no and replied, “This is her week and I’ll give it to her, but can you possibly get her exhausted early one night so we can spend some time together?”

I told her, “I’ll try. She conks out about eleven, but wakes up again for another round around three am. I need to talk to you about her anyway. She seems like she might want to be penetrated. I think she senses that since I can wedge the head of my dick just inside her, she might be able to fit me.”

“What do you think? Can you fit inside her without hurting her?”

“That’s the thing, I penetrated her with my forefinger all the way to her cervix, and she was tight, but not so restrictive it made it hard to get inside her. Last night she took the entire head inside her. I’m just not so sure about being fully penetrated by my dick though. I personally think it’s too soon.”

“If that’s how you feel, then just make her wait. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

“By the way, she gave her first blowjob last night.”

“By the way? You say that like you were trying to sneak some inconsequential tidbit into the conversation. So, how was it that Aleeya end up with your dick in her mouth? ”

I retold the story and how she’d almost ripped my dick off, which was good for a laugh, and how she did. I finished by saying, “She tried her best, but it was kind of messy at the end.”

“Oh well,” Priya joked, “you have to admire her enthusiasm.”

Laughing, I said, “All things considered, I’d give her an “A” for effort. Come on now, get up and get dressed so we can say prayers. You’ve got school and I’ve got work, so we’d better get going, okay?”

“Okay, I’ll be over in a few minutes.”

I kissed her and left to check on Aleeya. When I got back to the bedroom, Aleeya was dressed and ready for prayers. I told her that Priya would be over in a few minutes.

We talked about the fact that I was going to start looking for an “auntie” for her today and that I would make sure that we all liked her before I made a decision. She seemed relieved that she would have to give her approval also before she was left in the care of this person.

Priya arrived and we said prayers as a family and went down to breakfast. Breakfast was pretty normal, although Aleeya was kind of tired from her last evening activities. Mom noticed and asked me, “Have a long night last night?”

I chuckled and turning to Dad said, “It’s amazing how quickly females learn, she’s been giving orders since we got in the limo on our wedding day. These women take control from the very start.”

Dad chuckled and said, “Yeah, I think it’s just nature. They have this bossy gene, and it kicks it when they say ‘I do.’”

We all laughed, and Aleeya looked up chewing, and with a mouthful of food saying, “Huh, what’s so funny?”

I said, “Nothing, we were just talking about genes.”

After hugs and kisses, we left to pick up the girls for school. I asked Priya if Sarah had spoken to Haseeba about Mahmoud because he wanted to talk privately to me, and I surmised it was about her.

Priya said that Sarah told her that Haseeba was definitely interested, but again was worried that she didn’t want anything interfering with her plans for college.

I told her that when I spoke to Mahmoud, I’d make this point clear, and if he didn’t want to get involved with a woman with a higher educational level that his, then it would be best if he just let it pass.

I asked Priya to find out if Haseeba would want to get involved with someone below her educational level, because that could pose a problem down the road. She said she’d try and find out before classes and call me.

We picked up Sarah and Haseeba, and after dropping the girls off at school, I headed to the office. I mentioned in passing to one of our account managers, Ravi Rupak, that I needed to find a Muslim nanny for Aleeya and he was surprisingly ecstatic.

I asked him why he was so happy that I needed a nanny. He said his daughter had just obtained her teaching degree and was looking for employment. He said his daughter, Monaavi, wanted a job in the private sector so that she wouldn’t have to deal with any discrimination issues with her being Muslim.

I said to him, “Great, you have my home number, have her call me, or better yet, have her call me here today and we can set up an interview at my home.”

He replied, “I’ll have her call you this morning!”

“Sounds good to me,” I replied, and we went on to discuss the account he was working on. Priya called me in between classes and said that Haseeba was open-minded, but that her greatest fear was revealing her past. I said to Priya, “Are you there with her now?”

She responded, “Yes.”

I said to her, “Let me talk to her.” Priya handed the phone to Haseeba and she said, “Hi, Sean.”

“Hi, Haseeba,” I began, “It’s my understanding that you like Mahmoud and are interested in possibly getting to know him better, but you’re afraid that if things start to get serious, you’re afraid to have to reveal the truth about your past to him. Is my assessment of things so far correct?”

“Yes,” she replied, “I am a coward and don’t have the courage to tell him. If he rejected me, it would be devastating to me. I just couldn’t bear it.”

“Has Sarah filled you in on his age, background and all the issues concerning Aleeya and his ex wife? And if so, you’re still interested?”

“Yes, Sarah’s told me, and I can forgive that if he can accept me, but I would never want either of our pasts to ever be a topic of discussion. If you were to tell him of mine, and he still wants to pursue me, then, I’d prefer that there always be a tacit understanding that the past is the past, and it’s buried and done with, never to be mentioned again.”

I said to her, “Well, he’s definitely interested. He wants to talk to me today about you. If you give me permission, I’ll tell him the facts and see how it goes. Do you want me to tell him?”

“All right, I’ll be no good all day until I find out if he can accept me.”

“I’ll call Priya at lunch break. How’s that? That’s the soonest I can let you know.”

“Okay, I guess that’s the best you can do. Thank you, Sean for looking out for me. I’ll say a prayer that someone finds me worth loving.”

“Stop that talk! You are worth loving! If not Mahmoud, there will be someone for you, you can count on that!”

“Thanks, Sean for everything! Call Priya as soon as you can?’

“You got it! Let me talk to Priya, please.”

“Hello?” Priya asked.

“Priya, I’ll talk to Mahmoud and call you as soon as I have some news. Say a prayer for her that this doesn’t end up hurting her.”

“I will.”

“I’ll talk to you later, okay? I love you.”

“Okay, love you more! Bye” Click.

I called for Mahmoud, and he knocked on my office door about ten minutes later. I invited him in and offered him a seat. I began with, “I guess you’re here to talk about Haseeba, right?”

“Yes, Sean, I am. I think she’s a very beautiful woman, more mature than Tallie and I believe that we could get along well. She’s fun to talk to and be with and I would like to see if we can possibly progress to a point where we can fall in love and get married.”

I started out by saying, “You know, Mahmoud, that both of you have a past; a past that has been filled with mistakes, great pain and shame. In order to have a good future with each other, each of you needs to know what those pasts are: both yours and hers.

“To ease the embarrassment to both of you, Priya and Sarah have explained to Haseeba that you have had problems in the past with your marriage and the abuse of Aleeya by Tallie. They also told her that you were partly to blame because you weren’t more aware of what was going on in your home, and that you were dealing with a very young mother who probably wasn’t able to cope with a young child while struggling to keep a business going and worried about providing for your family. Haseeba feels that this is a thing of the past. She’s willing to forgive this and never ever mention it to you, and she’s willing to see you in the hopes of maybe developing a relationship with you.

“I have to tell you though, that Haseeba has her past also. Whether you accept her past and continue to see her, or you don’t wish to pursue her, I must tell you this, and I’ll only say it once! Don’t you dare ever say a word to her about her past to her, or to anyone else. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Sean.”

I went on to tell Mahmoud her story and how it ended with her sale to a brothel and what she endured. I told him that she is so vulnerable because she’s tried hard, with our help, to start fresh and make a life. I also told him that she wants to go to college, get her nursing degree and that if he can accept that and let her continue to that end with his support then she’s willing to try to incorporate a relationship into her life.

I ended by telling him, “She did the things she did because she was taught by her father that happiness for her would only be possible with a wealthy man of means. I think she tried to obtain that dream with the only means she had: her beauty and her body.

“If you can accept her past, totally forget it and only see her as the girl you now wish to pursue, then I will permit you to court her. But I tell you this: at any time in the future, in an argument or whatever, you are never to mention her past to her - never and I mean never! Do you understand?”

“I understand, Sean. Her past is her past. I wish to court her.”

“All right, I’ll call Priya and tell her to tell Haseeba that you wish to court her and you can contact Adib to set up your meetings together. Good luck, Mahmoud. You’re a good man, with a lot of love to give a woman. She’s very fragile inside, and you must not rush her. Treat her gently and tenderly and she’ll open up to you. She desperately needs the love and acceptance of a man who will treasure her. In return, she’ll give you all her heart has to give.”

“Thank you, Sean, thank you for everything. I will not fail in love this time. This time, it will be forever.”

Jokingly I pointed to the door and said, “Now get outta here and get back to work. You’re costing me money sitting on your ass!”

Laughing, he bowed and replied, “Yes, boss.” and left the office.

I called Priya at her lunch break and gave her the news. She must have had Sarah and Haseeba with her and was nodding while I spoke because I heard in the background girls squealing out their excitement.

I called Adib and filled him in on everything that had happened with Mahmoud and Haseeba and that maybe he and Salima should begin to talk to her about converting to Islam, and he agreed that that would have to take place for them to marry.

Mahmoud can legally marry a Christian, according to Islamic law, but not a Hindu. They would see how she felt about it before letting Mahmoud begin a courtship. I told Adib that I wanted a proper Islamic courtship, chaperoned and Haseeba protected, and he agreed that would be best. We gave our salaams and hung up.

About two, Monaavi called me. She sounded young and gentle. She said that she was twenty-two, had just received her teaching degree and certificate in elementary school education. She said that besides her work-study as an assistant teacher as part of her certificate training, she had no formal work experience.

I told her to have her father take some time this afternoon to make up a short resume for her and if possible, be at my home at eight for an interview. She was very happy, said she’d be there at eight and if it was required that she be dressed in fundamentalist dress. I told her that we were not that fundamental and that only modest, appropriate dress with a veil was acceptable, and she was pleased. I told her I’d see her at eight and we hung up.

I called Mom and filled her in on my conversation with Monaavi and that she’d be arriving at our home about eight tonight. I asked her if she or Pita could take Aleeya to the park and ‘wear her out’ so that Priya and I could have a night together.

She chuckled and said, “You two fuck bunnies can’t stay away from each other very long, can you?”

I answered, “Shut up, Mom, you know too much about our private life as it is.”

She seemed pleasantly surprised that I’d found an applicant so easily. I told her that it was just dumb Irish luck, and we’d see how it goes.

Having spent the better part of the morning on personal issues, I really didn’t get a whole lot done. I met with Dad over lunch and filled him in on the day’s events. He was pleased about Mahmoud and Haseeba. His only concern was the issue of whether or not it was a little soon for Mahmoud to be looking for another relationship. I told him that it was my observation, both from the events that took place, and seeing Mahmoud and Tallie together at the family functions, there probably wasn’t much there to begin with.

After lunch, Dad and I went over some of the international accounts. He said that some weren’t as forthcoming with payment for the rush work they received. I told him I’d review it and get back to him on it.

When I picked the girls up from school, they were like a bunch of giggly girls discussing boys. I curtailed the giddiness by telling Haseeba that I wanted to speak to her a moment and whether she wanted to do it in private, or was it okay to talk in front of the girls and she said we could talk then.

I gave her the condensed version of what I’d told Mahmoud, and that I did indeed reveal to him all the sordid details of her past. She started to cry when I told her that Mahmoud, although a little shocked at first, said he could live with it and that he agreed, under penalty of retaliation by me, that he would never, ever bring it up ever again. He stated proudly that he thought enough of who she is now that he wanted to court her.

I said to her, “I will tell you straight from the heart, Haseeba, that there are conditions to any further courtship.”

She looked puzzled, and said, “What do you mean?”

I said to her, “As your guardian, I will allow him to court you, but to protect your heart, I am going to require that this be a Muslim courtship. First, although you are not a virgin and can marry anyone you wish, you asked for my help and protection. A chaperoned courtship will prevent Mahmoud from making any unwanted advances of a sexual nature, and I don’t want your future relationship to be based on physical attraction. You’re not a virgin, but you’re starting all over and I’m going treat you as though you are virginal and need your virtue protected.

“Secondly, and you need to consider two things: firstly, if you fall in love with Mahmoud, he cannot, by Islamic law, marry a Hindu, so you’d have to convert to Islam. If this is something you’d like to do, Adib, Salima and Sarah can help you with that. Also, although you’ve stated that your higher educational level wouldn’t pose a problem for you, you are not - and I repeat - not required to marry any man beneath your social standing, so that’s the other issue you have to consider.

“The best advice I can offer, is that if you wish to convert to Islam and marry Mahmoud, you do so with thoughtful consideration. He has agreed that your continued education towards a nursing degree is more than agreeable him. If you wish to ‘court’ Mahmoud, you will be chaperoned at all times. Consider the qualities of what you seek in a future husband, and not if he ‘rings your bell,’ so to speak. Make your decision one you can live with for a lifetime. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Sean. I’ve never felt so loved that anyone would treat me as a virgin, especially with my past of incest and fornication.”

I told her, “God has forgiven you, and there’s a verse in the Bible that says when we are forgiven by God, all things become new. Since the day we took you from that brothel, you’ve lived a good and chaste life. Like Priya told you, that girl has died in that brothel. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my virgin sister and I’ll treat you as one.”

“Thank you, Sean. I will not disappoint you, Priya, Sarah and my host family. They have been more loving and caring to me, and shown me more about the love of God than I knew existed. Sarah, Salima and I have been talking of me converting to Islam before this issue came up anyway.”

“Okay then, those are my terms. If you can live with them, may the peace and wisdom of Allah guide your heart. We all love you and only want what’s best for you and for you to be happy.”

Once we dropped off Sarah and Haseeba, I told Priya, “Well, it looks like my first attempt at matchmaking turned out okay so far.”

Giggling, Priya added, “Yeah, but the idea of her being my ‘aunt’ will take some getting used to.”

We got home, Aleeya was wound up from playing at the park, and we managed to get her settled down as we freshened up for dinner and evening prayers. Having completed our evening ritual, we went downstairs to eat.

As we sat for dinner the interview of a possible new ‘auntie’ for Aleeya was the lively topic of conversation. I noticed Pita was a little uncomfortable getting started serving dinner, so I asked to be excused and went to the kitchen to talk to her.

Pita is a very quiet, slightly full figured yet attractive and gentle woman of twenty-three. She is very unassuming and never speaks unless spoken to. I knew she had a daughter about Aleeya’s age, but she never talked about her much.

I said to her, “I noticed you’re a little uncomfortable tonight. Is something bothering you?”

She had tears in her eyes, and said, “I’m sorry, it just my daughter. She’s about to start school like Aleeya, but the doctor’s said she has some sort of illness. Your conversation about Aleeya starting school made me think of my daughter’s problem.”

I asked her, “What’s her problem?”

Pita sat on a chair and started weeping. I rubbed her shoulder and said, “Pita, we care about you. What’s wrong with your daughter?”

Still weeping, she replied, “The doctors said she has ausism.”

I asked, “Autism? Is that what you mean?”

“Yes, that’s it. She doesn’t speak too well and won’t be able to go to school because she can barely speak. Your father pays me very well, but I don’t have the money to get her proper, special treatment.

“I’m afraid that she’ll grow up dumb and only be able to do domestic work like me. I’m very lucky to work for a wealthy family like yours that pays me more than I could possibly make elsewhere and we can live a decent life, but it’s not enough.”

I had an idea, so I told her, “Here’s what I want you to do, and I won’t take no for an answer. Beginning tomorrow, I want you to bring her, what’s her name?”

“Attiya, her name is Attiya.”

“What does it mean?”

“A gift.”

“Well, Pita, I want you to start bringing Attiya to work with you every day. She can play with Aleeya and when we hire a new nanny for Aleeya, she can also teach and work with Attiya. Do you understand?”

“Oh no, sir! I couldn’t do that. It’s not proper for a servant’s family to be in the company of their employer’s children. It’s just not proper.”

“Pita, do you like your job here?”

“Yes sir, very much sir!”

“Good. If you do not show up with your daughter tomorrow morning, don’t show up. You’re fired.”

“Sir?”

“You heard me. Either you bring your daughter and let me help her, or you’re fired. A job and help for your daughter or you start looking for another job: which is it?”

“How can I ever repay your kindness?”

“Do what you do best. Love your daughter and help my wife take care of our home and Aleeya, that’s all I ask.”

“Thank you, Sahib, a thousand blessings upon you!”

Laughing, I replied, “Thanks, I need them! Now, I think everyone is getting hungry, so you’d better serve dinner, okay?”

”Yes, sir, right away, sir!” With that, she wiped her eyes with her apron and began to get dinner.

I returned to the table, and revealed my conversation with Pita.

Mom said, “That poor child, I never knew. Pita never said a word.”

I apologized to Mom saying, “It may mean a little extra work for you until we hire someone, but I didn’t think you’d mind.”

Chuckling, Mom said, “Mind? Hell no, I don’t mind at all. Besides, the biggest problem will be keeping track of two little urchins!”

Aleeya seemed happy to be getting a constant playmate. As we talked about Monaavi, my mind was only half in the conversation. Priya said, “What’s the matter?”

I replied, “I’ll tell you later.”

We finished dinner and went to the living room to wait for Monaavi’s arrival. She rang the bell about five minutes to eight.

Monaavi arrived wearing a salwar kameeze of light blue with a dark blue veil. We offered our salaams and Pita showed her to the living room. I think she became a little frightened and overwhelmed at the number of people in the room, so I introduced my parents, Priya and Aleeya. I read her single page resume, gave it to Dad, and he passed it to Mom and then to Priya.

Pita brought in some tea and served, but I could tell she was interested (now that her daughter might fall under this young woman’s tutelage). I rose and pulled Pita off to the side, and whispered to her, “You may sit and listen in. This will affect your daughter also.”

She smiled, and replied, “Thank you, sir.”

I winked and sat back down to join the interview. Priya began by asking her some questions about the Islamic faith. Monaavi seemed very knowledgeable and reverent and Priya seemed very satisfied by her answers.

Aleeya was sitting next to Priya eyeing her up and down. The two seemed to make a connection because they began to play a little game with glances and facial expressions: a good sign.

I asked Monaavi if she had any experience with children with learning difficulties such as autism. She said that she’s had some, not much, but had noted that these kinds of children did better with other kids, especially kids that were of a sensitive nature and more or less acted as ‘teacher’s helpers’.

Monaavi graduated from a good, respectable teaching college with a GPA of 3.85. So I asked her why she felt that she couldn’t make a good living in the public sector.

She replied, “Although many are tolerant of my Muslim faith, the predominance of Hindus in affluent Indian society do not particularly like a Muslim teaching their children.”

I told her I could understand her opinion and then I asked her, “Since I spoke to you this afternoon, something has come up. If we hire you for this position, you will have two students to teach and to act as nanny for.” Pointing to Aleeya, “One of the girls is Aleeya. The other is Aleeya’s age and is autistic. Do you feel you can give the required attention to two girls about the same age, but one with some special issues?”

She sat for a moment silently and replied, “To be honest, I never considered it; but I would be willing to give my best effort to help both girls on their individual levels.”

Everyone seemed pleasantly agreeable with her honesty and her willingness not to back away from a challenge, so I turned to Pita and asked her to give us a little history about Attiya.

Monaavi said that although she’s no expert on learning disabilities, it seemed to her that Attiya’s autism wasn’t extreme and that possibly some concentrated work on her speech might be helpful. I thanked Pita and asked her to take Aleeya into the kitchen for a snack. Aleeya really didn’t want to leave, but with a stern look from me, she went.

I returned my attention to Monaavi and said, “In our home, there are two faiths. My parents are Baptist Christians and Priya, Aleeya and I are Muslim and we practice the Muslim faith. Now, I need to ask you some personal questions and I would expect you to keep this conversion private. If we choose to employ you, I will fill your father in on the details. Either way, what we are about to talk about is private and is to remain so, not only for legal reasons, but more importantly for Aleeya’s well being. Do you understand?”

She nodded and said, “I can be discreet and hold a confidence. In fact, if I were in your employ, what happens in your home stays in your home.”

“Good. First, may I ask, are you married?”

“No sir, I am not.”

“Being Muslim, you do understand that some Muslim families are made up of multiple, or ‘sister’ wives, do you not?”

“Yes, I am aware that some Muslim men have multiple wives.”

“How do you feel about this type of Muslim marriage?”

“Although I have no experience with them, what I’ve heard is conflicting. Some say they are very loving and work well, others say that they are only there for the gratification of the husband and the wives are not treated with equality. To answer your question, I have no experience to base an informed opinion on one way or the other.”

I asked her what she knew about me, and she said, “Only what my father has told me. You are very young, eighteen and a genius with a doctorate from Princeton. You are married to a very young Muslim Indian girl. I think he said” and she looked at Priya, “that you’re twelve? And that you also have a very high IQ and are mature beyond your years.”

Priya nodded and said, “Yes, that’s correct.”

Monaavi continued with, “And that’s about all I know, sir.”

I began again with, “What your father has told you is correct, but something else has happened since my coming to India.”

I went on to tell her about Aleeya, her abuse and the attachment that she and I had, and that both of our families decided what we felt was best for her future, both emotionally and mentally. I finished by saying, “Although Aleeya is only five years-old, she is also my second wife.”

Monaavi audibly gasped and asked me, “I do not mean to pry sir, but does she share an intimate relationship with you?”

“Yes,” I began to explain. “It may not encompass everything that’s going through your mind, but she does express her love in our relationship in intimate ways. I’m telling you this because if you become her caregiver during the day, a certain amount of trust will be placed in you: both by her and by our family. Aleeya may come to trust you enough to possibly mention her married life to you in conversations and I need to know if this will be a problem for you?”

“I can only say that I will keep an open mind. Just the short interaction I’ve had with her, she seems happy, loved and adjusted. The only sadness I feel about brides as young as Aleeya, is that children of this age are thrust into adult relationships without love or care for them at all. They’re only used for sexual purposes or as child slaves. From only several minutes of observation, this doesn’t seem to be the case with her. She appeared to be very attached to her sister wife, and feels safe and loved by those around her.”

I said to her, “Part of your duties will be to help Priya reinforce in her what her duties are as a Muslim child, as a girl, and as a wife. Our goal is to keep Aleeya as well adjusted and normal as possible, even though she is married and does have an intimate life. Do you understand?”

Monaavi answered questionably with, “I’m not sure how I can be of any help in this area. I’m not married. I’m a virgin, so I know nothing about being with a man. How can I help her to be a good wife?”

I explained myself by asking her, “You’re old enough to know the mechanics of relationships, what’s right or wrong, how a Muslim woman is to conduct herself, and how to deal with some adult relational situations and etiquette. Am I not correct?”

“Yes, I guess you’re right. I could help instruct her in those things, but what if she wants to talk about…. sexual matters? What am I to say?”

“What you know to be the truth. If you cannot answer a question honestly, or feel uncomfortable talking of such issues, just tell her to ask me or Priya.”

Mom cut in with, “I know it might be better if you were married and had personal experiences to help guide some of your answers, but as long as you know that Aleeya likes being married and sharing intimate time with Sean, and that she sees it as an extension of and an expression of married love you can understand her a lot better.”

Monaavi heaved a deep visible sigh and said, “Well, I will be honest with you….

“I have never, nor did I ever expect to meet a married girl so young. I believe that this can be a learning experience for all of us. If you choose to hire me, I will treat her as her age. That means, if she needs discipline, I will give it. I do not believe in corporal punishment, so she would be given a ‘time out’ or taking away a privilege or treat or something like that.

“I will try my best to help Attiya to gain confidence to speak more and help her learn and I will respect Aleeya’s place as a married woman in this home. Is that satisfactory with all of you?”

Mom, Dad and Priya nodded and I stood, as did she. I shook her hand and said, “How about if you start tomorrow? My mother will help you get acquainted with the house, the timetables and such. She’s been the one caring for Aleeya during the day. Tomorrow will be the first time we all see Attiya, so we have to work together to see how it goes. Mom plans on staying for a few weeks to make sure things get started off on the right foot. Now, let me call Aleeya in and you can hear her opinion for yourself, okay?”

“As you wish, sir.”

I yelled into the kitchen, “Aleeya! Come here please.”

Bang! We heard the double swinging door from the kitchen and around the corner from the dining room appeared the little imp, coming to a screeching halt at the side of my leg.

She wrapped her left arm around my leg and looked up and said, “Yes, Husband, what is it?”

Monaavi broke out laughing, and said, “That’s going to get some getting used to!”

I knelt down and looked into Aleeya’s eyes, and said, “Well, do you think that you and Monaavi can be buddies? Would you like her to be your new ‘auntie?’

Aleeya looked up at her and said, “She has gentle eyes and a nice smile. I think she’d be a nice ‘auntie,’ don’t you?”

I replied, “I think so too. Why don’t you tell her you’ll see her tomorrow, okay?”

Aleeya smiled and said to Monaavi, “See you tomorrow, Auntie, and guess

what?”

Monaavi gave her wide eyes and surprisingly said, “No! What?”

“We’ll have a new friend and student! And tomorrow is my homecoming party!”

Monaavi answered, “I can’t wait!”

Mom interjected, “We may not really get started on your duties because of Aleeya’s homecoming party, but you can help with the details and set-up. You can also get to know her family in the process. Is that agreeable with you?”

“I’d like that. I’d like to meet the rest of her family. Besides, parties can be fun!”

Mom said, “Good, I think we made a good choice in hiring you, Monaavi.”

She smiled and said, “Thank you, Madam. I’ll do my best to meet everyone’s expectations.”

Priya said, “I’m sure you will.”

Priya picked up Aleeya and made the rounds and she kissed everyone goodnight. She even gave Monaavi a kiss on the cheek and Priya took her upstairs.

Mom reassured Monaavi that she felt everything would work out fine and Dad gave his approval also. I told Monaavi, “Don’t tell your father any of what we’ve discussed tonight, I’ll tell him in my own way and time. Is that acceptable with you?”

She replied, “Yes, but please tell him soon because he will want to be involved, as he always is, in my life. I wouldn’t want to hide things from him and I will not lie to him.”

I reassured her, “I would never ask you to lie. I’ll talk to him tomorrow, alright?”

“That’s fine. What time do you want me here tomorrow?”

“If you wish to eat breakfast with us, at nine, if not, then ten will be fine. It’s your choice.”

“I always eat breakfast with my family, so I’ll be here at ten if that’s alright.”

Fine, we’ll see you at ten.”

We said our salaams and Mom and Priya accompanied Monaavi home.

When the women folk had returned, Mom, Dad, Priya and I talked about the interview for a while. Mom said she felt that Monaavi had the right temperament and open mind and that she’d probably work out. Everyone agreed.

We called Pita in, and she was in tears when she heard that her daughter was going to get some help. Mom told her, “I wish you’d said something sooner, and we could have done something before.”

Pita profusely thanked us all, and we told her to go home to her daughter, and that Monaavi would be here at ten the next morning.

I poked my head in my bedroom door and Aleeya was zonked out asleep and lightly snoring, Priya and I headed for the spare room where she was sleeping this week for a little chicanery.