So, then after, and ever after,
my weekly trips to the circle of city for market,
my eyes would quickly scan the jumble of bodies rushing towards me,
and miraculously she would appear out of the morass.

i would frown at any stick raised at my charge's way;
from policing of the children from foreigners browse.
Happily, i will hold Asma's hand ! to keep them at bay!
She could only smile up at me, as i did at her in return,
but my heart seemed so rapid to think this her world.
I felt helpless, but she seemed to affirm with her grin,
that it was okay. It was okay for me to give her powdered milk in a box for her family;
it was okay to give a few candies scarcely enjoyed. It was better though
to her delight to let popsicle drip from her licks faster than the heat could melt.

If a girl she tried to be such;
with worn dress and string of pink pearls made of plastic;
then this polish of light purple with tiny glitter and stars
that i just bought on a whim for my girls,
i could sit on this uneven bench outside the chemist,
to share it with Asma before my returning.
When i took her small hand and started to paint slowly,
meticulously and carefully to get a sparkle of glitter just right on each nail,
the quietest hush upon all the courtyard surrounding
became more deafening than the previous hustle and noise.
The old and the young seemed to stop in mid-step,
to watch me polish her nails with such study.
Suddenly, the pace became slow moving
and my ears tried to hone in on any sound that was drowning.
Did they think me so silly a woman, i wonder now?
..to paint a market girl's nails of pale purple?
With our faces so close, i could feel Asma's eyes fashioned upon me so still.
I pretended it was like a casual occurrence;
as if the rest of the world did not dirty pretty fingernails,
or rap sticks on little bodies that run for an hour's fare,
or trample spirits that never reached our brilliant white teeth.
We pretended, almost we were in a garden.
Of jasmine blooms so sweet, and the birds to greet.
We pretended, and it did seem such a beautiful and glorious day.