Reena R

It's a quiet and sweltering afternoon in Dubai, and Florine (my nanny, playmate and alternate parent) and I are sitting on the carpet of the bedroom we share with my brother and sister. Everyone's napping in the house, and it's cold and calm from the buzzing air conditioning. Florine's braids hang low on her loose patterned dress and she's wearing a wide smile. She rolls a red and blue ball in my direction and I squeal as it comes towards me and I finally hold the rubber in my hands.