Confessions of a Merry Monk

London, England – 2004 I jolt upright in bed, doubling over. I wrap my arms around my torso as tightly as possible, rocking back and forth. My mouth is gaping, …

Maanav and I honeymooned on the tropical dream island of Mauritius. It was idyllic except for the fact that I was still nauseous all the time and vomiting daily. Although …

On the morning of the wedding, I was up before sunrise to make it in time for my hair and makeup appointment. I’d hardly slept the night before with all …

Together with my mother and my mother-in-law-to-be, the next ten days flew by with daily trips to Ealing Road, Wembley (also known as ‘Little Gujarat’). Ealing Road serves the penny …

Maanav left the decision up to me. I was very early on in the pregnancy, so I had time to think about it. Considering the advice of the counsellor and …

Before we go any further with the story, I felt this might be a good time to pause and discuss some of the issues the last couple of chapters raised. …

“Positive. Maanav, it’s positive.” I was in shock. My hands were trembling as I held the test out to show him. Maanav began freaking out and started crying. He was …

Before my classes had even started, I was taken ill. So ill, in fact, that I was hospitalised. I’d gone to see my GP a couple of days after arriving …

“You stayed here last night, didn’t you!” It clearly wasn’t a question. She was in her pyjamas, on her hands and knees, glaring at me under the desk, on my …

I couldn’t believe he’d called me a bitch, and in front of all his friends. He continued to lecture me about smoking, and it turned into a dramatic scene outside …

Maanav had stayed over at my place; he’d met my roomies, my landlord, and the people I hung out with. And, he knew everything about my life. But, aside from …

“Tell them you’re eighteen, and you’re a model.” He looked at me lovingly and smiled as he straightened my scarf a little and tucked a stray wisp of hair behind …