Under the Blouse and Close to the Heart ❤︎
By a son who once believed that’s where all money lived. As a child, I genuinely believed that all women kept their money in the same sacred spot — under the blouse. Not in purses, not in wallets, but tucked safely near the chest where only mothers seemed to have the exclusive rights and perfect access. My earliest memory of this belief comes from standing in line at the vegetable market with Maa. She'd argue fiercely with the vendor over coriander leaves, then, with great flair, pull out a crisp ten-rupee note from somewhere inside her blouse, like a magician pulling a dove from a hat. It was theatrical. It was fascinating. And in my tiny, confused brain, it made perfect sense. I remember asking her once, very seriously, "Maa, if all money is kept inside the blouse, where will I keep mine when I grow up? Boys don’t wear blouses." She laughed so hard she nearly dropped the veggies. “Don’t worry,” she replied, wiping her eyes. “You’ll figure it out.” For years, I assumed ...