She calls me "Neema beta"
beta means "son" in Hindi
That's what all Indian moms call their daughters
because all Indian moms secretly wish their daughters were sons
But she means well, my mom
tazmania
I won't be home for dinner tonight
mom
are you going somewhere with friends?
tazmania
no I'll be here at school
tazmania
it's for this tryout thingy
mom
you're finally going for Debate
tazmania
I told you I'm not going to join debate - it's for nerds
tazmania
I'm trying out for the cheerleading squad
mom
it's not proper Neema
mom
they wear very short skirts
mom
and dance in front of the boys
mom
i don't believe in all this
tazmania
God mom, you sound like the Christians!
tazmania
stop being so conservative
mom
why do you want to waste your time on these things?
mom
you should be focusing on your studies
tazmania
you're the one who made me take dance class all those years!
tazmania
what was the point of that?
tazmania
and now I finally have a chance to try out for the squad
tazmania
and you're killing my dreams
tazmania
you don't understand anything!
tazmania
you're such a FOB
mom
don't talk to me like that Tasneem
tazmania
I prob wouldn't make it anyway
tazmania
I'm just a clumsy worthless piece of shit nerd
tazmania
I don't deserve to have friends right?
mom
if you really want to do this
mom
then we will support you
mom
do you need me to bring you anything for the tryout?
tazmania
well, yeah actually
tazmania
can you bring me my dance clothes and jazz sneakers
tazmania
oh and some granola
mom
I'll be there in 10 minutes
