Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

by Balli Kaur Jaswal

‘In my religion, all girls are Kaurs and all boys are Singhs.’ ‘All one big family, God’s children,’ Kulwinder added. ‘Sikh religion.’

‘You follow your so-called passions and don’t consider the consequences for other people.’

‘Death is better than life if a girl doesn’t have her honour. Sometimes the younger generation needs this reminder.’

‘She took her own life,’ Tarampal said. ‘How?’ It was a morbid question but Nikki had to know. ‘The way women in our culture do it when they are filled with shame,’ Tarampal said. She blinked and turned away. ‘With fire.’

Surely grief wasn’t a competition.

‘These storytelling sessions are good fun but I think I’ve also learned to speak up for what I want. Exactly what I want.’

Out of all the opportunities Britain offered us, choice was the most important thing.

Let him find balance and moderation in all things; let him listen to himself and not the noise of others.

‘Why be with someone who’s making the journey? You could be with someone who has already arrived.’