My first novel. I am grateful for many people who have been on this book’s journey with me. First, I acknowledge the brave girls and women who continue to share their true stories and also those who cannot. This is for all sisters. To you, the reader, I truly appreciate you for supporting my work. To all my meditation teachers from courses to books, without the gift of self-reflection, I would not have found my voice.
Thank you to Just Like My Child Foundation, Girl Power Project, and my friend Vivian Glyck. I am grateful for those months of volunteer work that inspired me to write a story about girls whose voices are not heard. To Kids for Peace where I learned so much from the years I served as a board member. To Manav Sadhna whose mission I truly admire and love my visits to The Gandhi Ashram when in India. To Unity SME, my powerhouse friend Sapna Patel, for working together. For the nonprofit that guided me upon my research for this novel, Oasis India, thank you to Mangneo Lhungdim, Sulekha Thapa, and Vishwas Udgirkar for being so open during my many questions. Along with the organizations listed earlier, my hope is that others see the work you do for change.
Alicia Brav and Trish Martinez, co-chairs of San Diego Regional Advisory Council on Human Trafficking & Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), Community subcommittee, thank you for your collaboration and dedication to the work you do. To Dr. Barbara Klein, thank you for your wisdom on twin psychology. Dr. Marsha J. Tyson Darling, it was the universe that brought us together; thank you for your wisdom and guidance from then to now.
To my publisher team at Koehler Books: John Koehler, thank you for taking a leap and believing in me. Miranda Dillon, I’ll never forget how nervous I was at our first meeting and how good it felt to hear how you connected with my story. Hannah Woodlan, thank you for all the markup that went into the grueling process of editing for this to come out on the other side. Lauren Sheldon, thank you for the best book cover I could ask for.
Plus, thank you to my early editors, from my draft days of tweaking and encouragement with Amy Maranville to the later iterations of more editing to get it refined with Ronit Wagman. To our Deep Origins team, especially Omar Michael, thank you for not only your marketing expertise but your unique ability to truly organize my creative energy, i.e., make sense of poetic voice notes. Thank you to Akira Chan and Renee Airya Chan of Rare Media for the most perfect book trailer.
To the authors who helped me during the query process and all the questions I had as a first-time author, thank you for your openness Huda Al-Marashi, Alka Joshi, Shilpi Gowda, and Arielle Ford. For those who spent time reviewing my novel and providing notes of praise adorning this book, your words were like wind to my new author wings.
To my first beta readers, my extended family and OG friends from youth, for the years of stories and poems I shared, my girls Neha Desai and Nikki Chokshi for reading the early version that this novel once was. To my book club girls, thank you for knowing exactly what I needed to read when I came up for air during this book process. To my Chai Mommas for sharing my voice on social media and being there in friendship. And to my closest friends from all walks of life, for being my cheerleaders in true sisterhood.
To my late grandmother Lila, my nani, who passed away at this novel's inception. She is a reminder of the change women have seen in the near century she graced this earth with her courage, love, and faith. Her smile will always stay with me. For my late grandfather Krishna Dada, who made me fall in love with the art of storytelling. To my father-in-law, Pradyumna, and mother-in-law, Kalpana, your love and blessings have always felt so supportive. To my sister-in-law, Jigna Bhalla, for our many conversations on how we can make this a world that is worthy for our girls. To my encouraging parents, Jitendra and Devila, my real-life giving tree, who taught me to believe in miracles the minute they held me. Dad, there was nothing you wouldn’t do for us, and Mom, there was nothing you couldn’t handle. I am here because of your sacrifices. To my sister and brother, Mili and Anuj, this book is about the undying bond a sister can carry, and I owe every ounce of knowing that to the both of you. Thank you for your true-to-the-bone love. Mili, for reading this and reminding me that you have always been waiting. Anuj, for being my soundboard and keeping me going with your calm positivity.
To my husband, Amish, my forever soul mate, I am grateful for your everything, the hugs, kisses, prayers, love, guidance, and countless moments of support in making this dream come true and guiding me to trust that all my dreams can come true. To our dog Roxy, for the unconditional love in our home that every writer needs by her side. Lastly, thank you to my beloved children, Laila and Ayan. It was after I became a mother that I was able to rise into my truth and become an author. You both are the essence of my becoming.