Apr 9, 2020
A Souvenir
This is how Nida saw me. With a hijab and pheran (a traditional dress-like jumper Kashmiris’ wear), as opposed to the tee-pyjama I wore when we met.
In all likelihood, it is how she will think and memorise me as well. For her, the instinct behind drawing me in this manner was simple and obvious. She wanted her new slightly older friend to look like her. To be comfortable around me, she saw me as she sees her mother, her lovely aunts and her giggling and menacing cousins.
Nida drew me in the manner to feel at home with and around me. Through this caricature she made me a part of her world.