The Space Between Us

Sera wakes up early to accompany Maya to the doctor. Sera feels a phantom pain in her shoulder; she knows it is psychosomatic, as it has been years since the injury occurred. Sera and Feroz had just moved into their own apartment. She doesn’t remember the original argument that triggered Feroz’s beating. He usually apologized after hitting her, but did not after assaulting her with a brass candleholder.

Feroz left on a business trip the next day, while Sera stayed in bed for three days due to her injuries. Every night when he called to say goodnight to Dinaz, Sera hoped for an apology that she did not get. On the fourth day, Bhima brought powders and oils that she claimed would heal Sera’s bruises and aches. She massaged Sera’s body. Sera initially recoiled from Bhima’s touch, but overcame her biases and relaxed. Bhima told Sera not to tolerate Feroz’s behavior. Sera asked if Gopal ever hit her, and Bhima responded that Gopal “would sooner cut his hands off than hurt [her]” (111).

Sera thinks about how time proved Bhima wrong. She reflects on her similarities with Bhima, having watched their respective marriages fade over time.