Book Title: Unfolding: A Novel
Author: Rahul Singh
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Number of Pages: 280
ISBN: 978-9365693683
Date Published: Jan. 16, 2026
Price: INR 499
Book Excerpt
Chapter 6
Pages 59 – 61
It thrilled Zubina to see her neighbourhood come alive during Ramzan, with the evening extravaganza. Wherever her eyes went, they feasted on pyramids of blossoming yellow mangoes, blood-red apples, ripened papayas, trays of pulpy khajoor, quarters of watermelon that disappeared into black polythene bags. Or dried ladders of sevai shining in the golden light. Her nose sniffed out the aroma of beef haleem, now confused with the mild tang of channa from Mustafa’s cart.
Her family had finished their iftari of apples, samosas and tikkis, with rose sherbet. A burp erupted to remind her of the meal, as she entered the maidan where a mela was on in full swing. People pedalled goods, thrusting their hands out. With no change to spare, she ignored them. She found Amrin and Soniya trying their hand at coiled rings, where they aimed at a pencil case. Aadil was at the masjid to perform the tarawih prayers. He would meet them here soon. She had some time to kill. She went and sat on one of the concrete benches and fanned herself with her dupatta under the glaring white lights.
Two young boys passed by her, holding hands. She frowned, shoving thoughts of Ralph and Ojas aside. She focused on Soniya clutching the pencil case to her chest as Amrin threw more rings, but the scene from Ralph’s room still disturbed her. This wasn’t friendship. This was something else … but what? Zubina wondered.
In their twelve years together, Aadil had never held her that way, not even when she was sick. She fanned herself harder to shake away such inane comparisons. Maybe such friendships were common among Christians. She tucked her tongue by her corner tooth, searching for a morsel from the iftar meal, spitting it out. However unseemly or alien that friendship may have been, at least she had been witness to the care Ojas had showered on Ralph.
But why didn’t Ralph’s lover turn up when he was sick?
This wouldn’t do, she scolded herself.
She focused on Eid, which was around the corner now. She needed to ensure her bonus came in soon to buy her daughters their clothes. And then, somehow, she had to save some money to repair the ceiling. She peered at the evening sky. She moaned. The bed sheet spread across the ceiling would be soaked with water. It would drip mercilessly when the monsoons would arrive. She had to discuss the matter of the ceiling with her husband. The sooner the better. She rose and began to walk about the maidan.
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Aadil joined her at some point. They followed Amrin and Soniya across the stalls. The girls were with their friends. They showed off their prizes. Both Zubina and Aadil walked together with a slight awkwardness at the mela. Eyes always darting at something or the other. Aadil moved away to buy khajoor and ice apple for sehri. Zubina greeted Sona at her stall; she was dipping chicken in a velvety besan batter.
On the way, Amrin instructed Soniya not to disturbher the next day as she had to study. The impending test would be an important milestone for her. ‘Neha-di will never let me be a part of her videos, or speak to me of things beyond studies, if I don’t do well.’
‘What things?’ Soniya asked, opening the pencil case and pouting at the little mirror inside.
‘Her boyfriend … duh …’ whispered Amrin and broke into a tiny giggle, as the warmth of such remembrance filled her body.
Excerpted with permission from ‘Unfolding: A Novel’ by Rahul Singh, published by HarperCollins India.
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