Arnav: Will you come back to me?
1976
The hijras had arrived the morning after Mahima’s wedding, singing, clapping, demanding money. He was asleep with the rest of Randhir’s male relatives on one of the mattresses set in rows in the sitting room and awakened to their loud sounds outside the house. Bleary-eyed, he saw Madhu Aunty coming out of her bedroom, muttering to herself, clutching some money in her hand. She went out and was back five minutes later, saying loudly, ‘They’re asking for more, and saying such dirty things.’ By this time, several of their relatives were up and laughing at Madhu Aunty’s predicament. Randhir, at the other end of the room, got up and said, ‘Just give them more, Mummy.’ Madhu Aunty, looking highly irritated, went back to her room and came out with more mone
