Day Book #21
1. “’Whatever happens, I accept it. And my child must not waste any energy fighting against Fate. That way, she will be stronger.’” (pg. 3)
2. “She left the window open. Standing on the sofa to reach, she picked up the Holy Qur’an from the high shelf that Chanu, under duress, had specially built. She made her intention as fervently as possible, seeking refuge from Satan with fists clenched and fingernails digging into her palms. Then she selected a page at random and began to read. […] The words calmed her stomach and she was pleased. Even Dr. Azad was nothing as to God. To God belongs all that the heavens and the earth contain. She said it over a few times, aloud. She was composed. Nothing could bother her. Only God, if he chose to Chanu might flap about and squawk because Dr. Azad was coming for dinner. Let him flap. To God belongs all that the heavens and the earth contain.” (pg. 8)
3. “If Chanu came home this evening and found the place untidy and the spices not even ground, could she put her hands like so and say, ‘Don’t ask me why nothing is prepared, it was not I who decided it, it was fate.’ A wife could reasonably be beaten for a lesser offense.” (pg. 10)
4. “Suddenly, she knew that what he was building up there in the flat could be pulled down here, in the hall. And she began to pay attention.” (pg. 235)
5. “’We can’t get married.’ / ‘Not straight away,’ said Karim. / He shivered as well. Or perhaps it was just a yawn. / ‘Not ever.’ / ‘What do you mean ‘not ever’?’ He sounded irritated. He kicked his boot against the ground. / ‘I don’t want to marry you,’ said Nazneen, looking at the juggler, ‘That’s what I mean.’” (pg. 379)
