The ceiling fans swayed; the beds jiggled. Our building retched, ready to throw up earth. Against the gurgling tremors, the thak thak of the door opening offered escape. Then I heard more sounds: papa's clicks of disapproval and a question for me. I answered by reaching the ground floor, two stairs at a time. My phone kept buzzing. Fifty messages in the family group; Google asking if I felt any shivers. The earth’s fault lines shook our city awake but had no effect on papa’s clicks and popping veins: His daughter had run out of the house in her shorts.
Saakshi Joshi is a Delhi-based qualitative researcher keen on themes concerning gender, environment, and everyday living. She dances, writes, and says hello to sunflowers! Instagram @rajouri_ki_rumi