But this child whose chest appeared flat at the neck of her dress was the same girl who would set his nerves alight years later, when he saw her sitting behind the washing tub at his nana Nafisa’s house. Her body had matured into the figure of a woman. He saw her legs straddling the tub, and he noticed how her orange sirwal had ridden up on one side, revealing a shaded area that his eyes clung to … not only that, but his soul too. As soon as she saw where his gaze was directed, she quickly pulled the hem of her thawb down to cover what had been showing. He thought he spotted a smile pass fleetingly over her face. After that, it was rare that he would sleep restfully. The image of the shadowy sighting would surprise him as he hoed, sowed seeds, or beat the water buffalo with a farquilla whi
