She of the Mountains Quotes

“At first, he was certain that the confusion arose from language; more specifically, the failure of language...But with the absence of language, of a label, came an unfortunate implication: shame. To not to commit to a label, however committed he was to his relationship, was to be
indecisive
which meant
confused
which meant
closeted
which meant
GAY.”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains

“In the absence of white, he could see colour. Your brown has more of a pink base than mine, he had observed the first time they held hands, still looking for answers to her origin in her skin. It’s true. And your brown has a yellowy tone to it, she said. I look jaundiced? She laughed and shoved him gently. No, no. You are golden. I am also darker than you … Your skin is perfect. Why would anyone want to be another colour? She kissed his cheek. Marvelling at her perfectly round chestnut cheeks, he couldn’t help but agree. Falling in love with her brown had unexpectedly given his own skin new value, a new sheen.”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains

“The beauty of life is that it ends. If I were mortal and could be granted anything, I assure you, my request would not be for something as dull as longetivity.”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains

“He discovered that a home could break, but a heart could not. That their home could break, but his heart would not despite how much he wished it would. His heart could actually withstand the dissolution of his home, and this was where the pain came from. Pain was his heart bearing and bearing and bearing and bearing and bearing and bearing and bearing”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains

“He recognized that she and he could hold hands and kiss in most places and that landlords wouldn’t think twice about renting to them. But queer spoke to all the other spaces and moments his body and heart didn’t fit into.”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains

“No, really, what do you like about me? she insisted.

Why?

I figure if I know, I can keep doing it to keep you as long as I can.”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains

“you’re gay, you’re gay! YOU’re gay, you’re gay, you’re gay, you’re GAY, you’re gay, you’re gay, you’re GAY, you’re gay! you’re gay, you’re gay! you’re GAY, You’re Gay, you’re gay, you’re gay, YOU’re gay, you’re gay, you’re Gay, you’re gay, you’re gay, YOU’re gay, you’re gay! you’re gay, You’re Gay, you’re GAY, you’re gay. you’re gay, you’re gay! YOU’re gay, you’re gay, you’re gay, you’re GAY, you’re gay, you’re gay, you’re GAY, you’re gay! you’re gay, you’re gay! you’re GAY, You’re Gay, you’re gay, you’re gay, YOU’re gay, you’re gay, you’re Gay, you’re gay, you’re gay, YOU’re gay, you’re gay! you’re gay, You’re Gay, you’re GAY, you’re gay. you’re gay, you’re gay! YOU’re gay, you’re gay, you’re gay, you’re GAY, you’re gay, you’re gay, you’re GAY, you’re gay! you’re gay, you’re gay! you’re GAY, You’re Gay, you’re gay, you’re gay, YOU’re”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains

“He could never escape the jarring feeling that he and his body were still two separate entities with two separate operating systems. Maneuvering his body felt like driving with the emergency brake on, the low and constant growl of dragging a frame embedded with an unforgotten history of hate. He wished that he believed he would be better suited for a different body, but another body represented only another confinement, another set of parameters. What he craved was the kind of repair that would unite driver and car as one, make them synchronous. He wondered if this was even possible, or if everyone silently struggled with this duality.

'What do you mean?'

'The only time I feel inside my body is when it is next to yours. Like right now.”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains

“In his parents’ home, the furniture and accessories were the real inhabitants, a vase or frame or chair compulsively planted in every corner, as though there was an underlying fear of empty space. He suspected it had to do with his mom’s obsession with not appearing poor, every piece declaring their family’s financial respectability. He felt a sympathetic suffocation for their house”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains

“He doesn’t respond. Instead, he walks solemnly toward where Shiv and I are seated, leaning on each other, and begins to circle us in silence. Ganesh, what are you doing, son? After three rounds, he finally responds, panting. Dearest Uma and Pita … you are my earth. You are my world. I put my hand on my chest and sigh. Shiv stands to embrace Ganesh. Oh, beloved son. You have demonstrated how a loving heart and a wise mind can surpass any physical prowess. From this day forward, no prayer or journey may commence without acquiring your blessing first. I name you Lord of the Lords.”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains

“Through these travels, they created a whole new shade of brown—their shade—one that beamed gloriously in the beauty of itself, one that hadn’t been taught that it was anything less than extraordinary.”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains

“Thankfully, he had brought his copy of Christina Aguilera’s My Kind of Christmas. Gleefully listening to her vocals, somersaulting higher and faster, reduced any tension between them. They backed away from the small artificial tree, now lit and tinselled. We did it! It’s so beautiful. It really is. His arm extended itself around her shoulder. She responded by putting her arms around his waist, and in this sideways embrace, they began to sway to the music. His body gradually turned in to face hers, their bodies clasping each other, growing into each other to form another tree. Limbs for branches, adrenaline for lights. They said nothing.”
― Vivek Shraya, She of the Mountains