Farzi

She nodded, because what else could she do? Unspool the midnight doubts? Exhibit the gallery of unpaid bills and unanswered texts? No. Happiness was the costume, and she wore it threadbare.

Here’s a short fictional piece inspired by the word farzi (Urdu/Hindi for fake, counterfeit, or deceptive): The Farzi Smile She nodded, because what else could she do

Until one evening, at a crowded bus stop, a child tugged her sleeve. “You’re sad,” he said, not accusing, just stating. at a crowded bus stop

“You look happy,” they said.