‘Oh no’ he sighs. ‘Yesterday you were warding me off with a wooden spoon, today you try to banish

me with a pair of shoes...Have you forgotten the meaning of your name?’

‘Ikra means read. It’s all about reading the signs.’

‘Exactly’ he says. ‘That is me telling you that you’re on the wrong track.’

‘I don’t think so’ I answer.

‘Well, you do’ he says while focussing his camera, ‘because I’m a product of your mind.’  

This always shuts me up.

‘Now, bow your head, the way we know you best?’

I do as I’m told, though it doesn’t feel right. I was never raised to think for myself. 

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