Summary

Chapter 1 begins with the opening line, “I decide to come out to my parents at Sunny Apu’s engagement party” (1). Nishat says she decides to come out not because of the wedding, or the strong heterosexuality in the air, but because of the way her parents look at Sunny Apu. She explains how her parents defied tradition and have a “love marriage” (2). They left Bangladesh to take their daughters to a better life in Ireland, with only their love to support them. Nishat spends the engagement party thinking about how to construct the “perfect coming out moment” (3). Her sister spots her on her phone and Nishat lies to her, but knows she will have to eventually tell Priti the truth as well. Her parents drive them home and Nishat takes off her heavy make up and salwar kameez to get into bed. She...