There's always a black sheep in every family. You know, the standout 'perfect' daughter or the one child that hides away smoking a ciggie round the back of the house. But over the week-end, I was reminded of another long forgotten person. Samira* was the desi aunty who was outside the square of the normal 'desi' conventions. Although she would look the part, having a successful career with a large home and mercedes in the driveway, it was not enough.
No matter what Samira* did, the divorce would haunt her. In those days**, divorce was taboo and she was considered to be tainted. She never remarried, partly, I think because her generation didn't do that and also, because Samira was responsible for her children. But deep down, I know she was a party girl and the fact that she was attractive didn't seem to throw off any suitors. Over the years, I would catch her in 'tender' moments with her usually 'married' lovers(yes I was always in the wrong place and time) or save her from falling down the stairs after one too many drinks. There were rumours and endless discussions about her who, what and where Samira was sighted.
At the time, I used to find all this slightly amusing, but now, I see she was lonely and probably needed company. In reality, Samira was a single mother, who didn't have much to do on the week-ends(the kids would be with dad) and I guess, just did what other Australian Women did, go out and look for love. Maybe Samira didn't feel that she could date openly or felt that she had to be with a desi as a result ended up atttracting the wrong men who would boast about her. UNFORTUNATELY, it always seemed to be the sleazy uncles who still wore flared pants from the early 70s even though it was 1985. Today, although she has aged, Samira still manages to work the room. She reminded of the days when she was a hot topic***!
* Not her real name
** In the 80s
***Any gossip was considered 'hot' in the 80s
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