only gave me a tiny part.”
We heard the approach of VJ’s father even before he came into view. Sanjay Patel was surrounded by a crowd of people, all competing to be noticed, yet he strode along as though he didn’t even see them. It was the same way the foreigners had acted with the beggars outside the car window. I wondered if rich people all had this ability of not seeing.
VJ’s father had his eyes fixed on the beautiful young film star clinging to his son. He seemed far more interested in her than VJ, who stood rigidly, making no pretense of enjoying her attention. I wondered if it was just this girl VJ didn’t like, despite her beauty, or if perhaps girls were not his preference.
There were plenty of boys in our neighborhood, working alongside Ma and the Aunties, who served the men who preferred other men. VJ had been friendly to us, without being the least bit aggressive, just like these boys always were. It would be rash to let down my guard but I didn’t feel threatened around VJ like I did around most boys.
“Welcome, welcome,” he said, clapping one hand on VJ’s shoulder and the other on the starlet’s back. “On the set barely a minute and already he’s in the arms of a beautiful woman. Be careful of him, girls. My boy’s a heartbreaker.”
“You’ve broken more than a few hearts yourself,” said VJ.
Grace
VJ’s father loaded all of us, including the starlet, into a bus, saying he had a surprise waiting on a neighboring set. VJ was uncharacteristically grim-faced and subdued. He clearly wasn’t a fan of his father’s surprises.
We drove a few minutes back down the road and turned into a parking lot in front of a building that looked every bit like a palace out of the Raj era. A dozen or so people waiting in the lot surged forward, surrounding us the second we alighted from the bus.
“Stop,” said VJ’s father. “I haven’t told them the surprise yet.” He turned to us. “You’re all going to be in my movie. These people will take you to costume and makeup.”
He paused for a response. I glanced nervously at Noor, not sure how she’d feel about all this attention.
“They’re a little shy,” said VJ. “Being in a movie is a bit much for their first outing.”
“Nonsense,” said his father. “Wait till they see the costumes.” He said something in Hindi to Noor and Parvati.
It was Aamaal who answered. I wasn’t sure what she said but everyone laughed.
“I guess we’re making a movie, then,” said VJ, ruffling Aamaal’s hair. Noor immediately stepped between them and put a hand on Aamaal’s shoulder.
We were led away by a group of women to a large dressing room. There was a rack of gowns in the center, couches along one wall and mirrored dressing tables along the other. One of our entourage directed us to the couches while they searched for our sizes.
I sat next to Noor, with the little ones on her other side and Parvati at the far end. A woman approached with a shimmering length of fabric over her arm and a gold-sequined blouse.
“This would be perfect for you, darling,” she said, holding it out to me. “We just need to get you out of those clothes.”
I was so busy sweating over the possibility that we might be required to say lines that getting undressed hadn’t even occurred to me. I felt as though my wounds were suddenly giving off heat. I cupped one hand over my thigh.
“Thanks,” I said, my voice barely more than a whisper, “but I’d rather just watch.”
“We can’t have that,” said the woman firmly. “Mr. Patel will be disappointed.”
“I don’t want to,” I said more forcefully.
“Don’t be shy. We’re all girls here.”
“I’ll try it.” Noor stood up and reached for the blouse.
“It’s too big for you,” said the woman, holding the ensemble just out of Noor’s reach.
She didn’t count on Parvati, who leaped up and snatched it out of her hands. The woman made a dive to retrieve it but she was no match for Parvati, who easily ducked away, a triumphant gleam in her eye.
“Grace is feeling sick,” Noor said firmly.
She couldn’t have known how accurate her assertion was.
Costumes were brought for the others, including the cutest little maharaja suit for Shami, complete with turban and golden dagger.
Makeup followed. Only Aamaal reveled in the attention, insisting on false eyelashes in addition to the mascara and eyeliner. She chortled with delight at