# #11 | stories in everyday-speak

By [#microfiction from India](https://paragraph.com/@microfiction-from-india) · 2021-10-28

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The leather suitcase on top of the steel cupboard had a thick layer of dust on it. She wiped it in a straight line to reveal its shine underneath. **Arre, usey neeche utaaro** Kavita **bai. Zaraa dekhte toh hai Amrika le jaane ke laayak hai bhi ya nahi,** the woman instructing her said.

**Bhabhi**, I will be able to go alone **na?** said Kavita.

#hindi #english

_(_**_Arre_** _- a call to attention / an expression of mild frustration / hey!)_

_(_**_usey neeche utaaro_** _- lift it and bring it down)_

_(_**_bai_** _- an older style of addressing the house help)_

_(_**_Zaraa dekhte toh hai Amrika le jaane ke laayak hai bhi ya nahi_** _- let’s see if it is strong enough to make the journey to America)_

_(_**_Bhabhi_** _- a way of addressing someone older than you ~ literally, a term for ‘your brother’s wife’)_

**_(na?_** _\- no?)_

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*Originally published on [#microfiction from India](https://paragraph.com/@microfiction-from-india/11-stories-in-everyday-speak)*