Ask Me No Questions

By Tuesday, Nadira and Aisha return to high school. There, they are among several undocumented students, though this is a closely guarded secret. The childhood chant “ask me no questions, tell me no lies” has become an unspoken policy at school, reflecting the need for discretion about the Hossains’ and other students’ legal status. At school, Aisha’s college counselor approaches her and mentions that Barnard College is interested in her application and wants to set up an interview. Aisha’s achievements as the star of the math team and a skilled debater make her an excellent candidate, but her teachers do not know her family’s immigration status.

After school, Nadira visits Ali-Uncle, a close family friend, at his magazine shop. There, she encounters Tareq, a young man who dropped out of school and is known by Ma as “bagh’a,” or “tiger.” Tareq suggests he could help Nadira obtain a fake green card, a proposal Ali-Uncle disapproves of, warning against Tareq’s recklessness.

Back at the Hossains’ apartment, tension surrounds Taslima, the daughter of Nadira’s aunt (“Auntie”) and uncle (“Uncle”). Taslima attends Queens College and is dating a white law student named Tim.