Cos I Said So
by Aarushi Dabas, Class of 2020


No, no beta, carry the one; you forgot the negative again; how did you get that answer, gudu?; Subtract not add; why so many errors?; yes, yes, good—now the next one; again??!; NAHI why not understanding?; how you are going to survive in this life?; cannot do even simple calculations in head; why?; I want to play with the other kids outside; you can go after you finish the problems I gave you beta; this is so simple; do it the way I told you gudu; NAHI why not understanding?; okay I will explain again; first do this then this then this then this then this; got it?; good—now the next one; your teacher going to be so proud; good grades means good life right beta?; okay now you can go but be back in thirty minutes; get some sleep now gudu how are you going to get first in tournament tomorrow?; SHABASH wo meri beti hain han; there was so much you could have done better beta; answer even faster; those problems were nothing; why are you still struggling?; why?; do you know what they’ll need?; the best grades; the best brain; the best of the best; they don’t just accept anyone—you know that right?; then why the attitude?; I said I am going out with my friends; ruko did you finish your problems?; no, then u can’t; I don’t care, nope; fine then; screw your life up; don’t have a future; be like the rest; I thought you were better than this; yes exactly, good; now go to your room and finish the assigned ones; I saw what you were doing; you said you were studying; I saw your friend’s face on the screen; seriously?; NAHI why not understanding?; So many times I’ve explained; hundreds of times—none of them any use; you keep promising but I saw beta; you’re not doing what I tell you to; how are you going to get in; how will you be accepted?; best of the best get in; I know you know; you’re not listening, fine; What?; gudu, is that a ninety percent on your quiz?; why?; why so many errors?; stop crying and get over here; it’s okay for the first one; no more though; never again; otherwise you’re not going to be good beta you know that, I know; then why these marks, han?; I am here for you always, beta, you know that right?; then why you not coming to me for help on these problems?; why?; they are simple; come here and explain what’s hard here?; han, I agree, nothing; then why?; wipe that tear abhi, there’s no reason for that; do better; you know the alternative by now; so much red ink on your paper; go to your room; again?; why?; wait, is that hundred percent, gudu?; shabash; now go prepare for your next one; but can’t I celebrate now?; one good mark is nothing to be happy about, now go; no, it’s far from boring; boring is what you can think when you become something; for now, go, and get better and faster; I don’t want to see any mistakes, okay; good, no go; no, cos I said so.

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1: (bae-tah) A term of endearment in Hindi for a child
2: (gu-du) Another term of endearment for a child
3: NAHI - “No” in Hindi
4: SHABASH-“Wow! Great job” in Hindi
5: “Wo meri beti hain han” → that’s my daughter, yes
6: ruko “Wait” in Hindi
7: han “Yes” in Hindi
8: abhi “Right now” in Hindi

by Vanamali Vemparala, Class of 2022
by Gabe Miller-Trabold, Class of 2020

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