Raul Flores

Fred Wilson
Humanities 1010
23 February 2015
Diversity Theme Writing Assignment
Name of character: Aashi Bunha
Sex: Female
Orientation: Lesbian
Philosophy (or Religion): Hinduism
Born in: New Delhi, India
Lives in: Mumbai, India
Age: 25
Occupation: House-wife
Aashi is a responsible, caring and out going woman. Living in the big town of
Mumbai, she is well equipped to the busy lifestyle it comes with. She is married to Himal
Bunha, a savvy business man, who works in the IT industry. Together they have two
children, a 6 year old boy named Kyran and 3 year old boy named Muskan. They are a
middle class family that live in a spacious home near the city. Convenient not just for
Himal but also for Aashi as the private school the boys attend is just a few minutes
away. Aashi is a stay at home wife, which is all she has known since being wed to Himal
at age 17. Life for the Buhna family seems very good when compared to other families
in India. A big part of this is due to Aashis dedication and love for her boys. She makes
things work even in the most difficult circumstances.
Aashi grew up in a very poor area of India named Kerala. She was the oldest of
five children, the rest being boys. Growing up, Aashi was not cared for or even treated
the same as her brothers. They often received more food, when available, than her as
well as were given a basic education. She in return, received more chores and work.
She looked after her brothers as if they were her own children. Her mother, Jeevana,
was a soft spoken and kind woman. She often did as she was told even by her own
kids. Aashis father, to her, was not a good person. His name is Tariq. Very loud, cocky
and at times angry man, Tariq often ruled his home with an iron fist. He was very
abusive towards Aashis mother and sometimes beat her when he thought it was
necessary to teach her a lesson. In the Hindu culture, this was very common for a man
to show who was boss in his home. This type of behavior fueled Aashi's brothers and
they too eventually would repeat this behavior with future spouses.
Growing up, even though life seemed very unfair and difficult at times, Aashi was
a very positive and kind spirited person. While she kept busy cooking, cleaning and
washing clothes for the family, she often sang old songs she hear her father sing. Her
brothers attending a small school that only had about 45 kids from the area. Upon her
brothers returning from their schooling, she would always ask in awe about the
information they had learned. Pursuing an education in general was always a dream of
Aashi. She was not literate nor did she know basic math. Though primary school was
made available for both girls and boys, her parents thought it most important that she

stay home to learn domestic chores. Aashi despised the decision of her parents. Aside
from Aashi wanting an education, she was a very social woman and loved making
conversation when possible. Another reason why she was not allowed to attend
schooling was for the simple reason that her parents and mainly her father wanted to
protect her from being exposed to boys. They feared if this happened, there would be a
chance of her virginity being lost. This in the Hindu culture would be a great disgrace
and dishonor to her parents. Aashi knew early on that her parents should not have to
worry about that at all.
Aashi was not attracted to men. She has always been curious about what it
would be like to sit-down and share some alone time with a woman. She did have a
friend named Ananda growing up, whom she found attractive. Ananda eventually also
was forced to be wed by her parents later in life. She was afraid to share this with
anyone let alone her parents. Her father was very traditional and would have never
approved of Aashi being with a woman. This action would not only be socially right but
also would put shame on her family. Aashi has always feared the idea of her parents
disowning her due to her sexual preference in females. Aashi to this day still carries this
secret and guilt with her everyday.Though she is married, Aashi's biggest aspiration
would be to explore her true feelings for a woman without outside judgement. This
would seem like a great and even natural transition for Aashi but she only dreams of
this. She would never actually attempt to breakup her marriage, her family and social
status in her community by leaving her husband for a female.
Since her childhood into adulthood, Aashi has only known to obey orders. Those
of her parents, her brothers and now her husband Himal. Like most Hindu marriages,
Himal is the dominant force in the household. Though he is a kind hearted man, he is
very demanding of Aashi. This translates to Aashi always making sure the kids are well
dressed, house is cleaned, laundry is folded and ironed, and most importantly that there
is always food on the table. In the Hindu culture, woman in general should regard their
husband as a god. In the case of Aashi and Himal, this is no different. Aashi lives to
serve her husband and family. She is very obedient in this family lifestyle given her
hidden feelings towards women.
At the age of 17, Aashi married Himal in what was an arranged marriage by
parents of both sides. Himal is 10 years older than Aashi. Aashis parents saw this age
difference as a great fit as they always perceived Aashi to not be self sufficient without
the presence of a male. This was the case when her father ruled the household and has
transitioned to Himal running the show. Aashi has never been given the opportunity to
be independent. The lack of independence has been due to the sheltering on her by her
father, Himal and to an certain extend her own brothers. Like other Hindu woman, Aashi
is not fit for independence.
Aashi and Himal have a stable relationship in terms of husband and wife. He is
provides for Aashis material needs, her security, protection and her social status. In
return, she lives up to the ideals of the Stri Dharma, the duties of the good wife.
Although Himal is very demanding on Aashi at times, he very much values her as a
woman and his wife. He believes that happiness of his wife is the key to the stability of
their family. They live a cordial but healthy sex life. Even though she is a lesbian, she
does her best to please Himal in all aspects of their marriage including their sex life.
She also believes of her incapableness to be on her own. She needs Himal. He is the

father of their two boys, bread winner of the house and is responsible of her social
status in their community. For these reasons, even though she has been living a lie in
regards to her true love ambition, she chooses the life of a conventional Hindu woman.
She is comfortable being married to Himal but dreams on having real passionate
relationship someday. This passion would be with a woman not a man. This is only a
dream for Aashi, one that will most likely never happen.
Aashi is very close to Himals family, Upon marrying Himal at age 17, she lived
with Himals parents for a year. There she worked along Himals mother Devi doing
daily chores. She learned to cook Himals favorite meals, fold his clothes to his liking,
and live as the female image he is used to. Himal is very much like his father Kirit.
Strong-headed, does not show emotion and is demanding in regards to homely chores.
Overall, Aashi enjoys the comppany of Himals parents. They are very kind and loving to
the boys. Whenever given the chance, they like to take the kids for hours. When there,
the kids are spoiled with special meals like Baati and Poha. The boys love the time
spent at Himals parents.
Since getting married, Aashi has drifted away from her parents. They were once
a strong presence in her life, are now just distant memories. The main reason being
they leave in New Delhi still. The trip there from Mumbai to New Delhi is about 1384
kilometers. Though Aashi has not seen her parents in quite a while, she stills thinks
about them often. She even misses her father, whom to this day she still sings the
songs she learned from him. If it was up to her, they would live closer to them. Aashi
does not like the idea of her kids only knowing one side of their family. She has debated
for years of bringing this concern up to Himal but believes he knows what is right. If he
chooses for them to live in Mumbai, there must be a higher reason at work which only
Himal would know. Aashi is not one to question the motives or thoughts of her husband.
This is how she was raised and is all she knows.
Aashi is passionate about music. She loves to sing to herself when folding
clothes and listens to the sweet tunes of Kirtan and Bhajan when given the chance.
These two artist are classified as Indian classical music. Aashi believes that music
should be a staple of life. Recently, Aashi has been exposed to traditional classical
music which she finds as beautiful and eccentric. Very much different that the traditional
Indian music, she finds a comfort in the sounds of violins and cello playing in sync. They
have a sony portable player in the house, which she takes full advantage of when kids
are at school and Himal is out.
Without this music, Aashi would drown further in the sadness of being restricted
from being with the sex of her choice. Even though she does not show this sorrow and
emptiness, deep down inside Aashi is not happy. Aashi loves her boys, enjoys the
company of Himal, loves Himal as a person but something is missing from her life. Now
Aashi has been deprived from many things in life. She was denied an education
growing up, could not play along side her brothers and friends as a kid due to being too
busy in the house, and has been denied her voice. She has not been given the chance
to ever voice her real opinions, thoughts or feelings. This feeling of being restricted
these human rights has always bothered her inside. She has never had the courage or
strength to revolt and stand up for what she believes is right and hers. Her path in life
has been chosen not by her. The choice of being able to express her lesbian sexuality is
no different. She possesses these feelings of sexuality that must be suppressed, never

to be let out or seen. No matter how empty she feels, she does believe in doing what is
right in regards to her Hinduism religion and her culture in general. By doing what is
viewed as right, she sees this as building good karma. With this karma, she hopes it will
lend to a better future. Being a woman in India like Aashi is hard, but being a
undercover lesbian in India is even more difficult. Aashi has done a great job so far.
Being a conventional Indian wife is most important to Aashi. It is Aashis hope that one
day she can come to peace with the notion of not being true to herself, as the sacrifice
she has made is to benefit her family as a whole.