Karuna Riazi

“That's the thing about fairy-tale endings. They don't exist. But the ones you have to share, with everyone you love around you and good food spread over the counters and the city you love spread out before the open window with all it's glimmering magic and promise?
Those I could live with.”
― Karuna Riazi, Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food & Love

“I did a lot of eating instead of serving those days, when I wasn't at my internship. That particular afternoon, I was seated at my aunt's counter with a plate of rui fish and rice: a beloved Bengali dish that seemed like a good antidote for heartache. Besides, working out the bones between my lips and pressing my finger against their sharp edges was cathartic. I couldn't beat up the guy who ruined the cart, but I could show a fish who was boss.
I doubt I was reassuring any of the other wary regulars, who had all been informed by my aunt about my sensitive state, by gnawing on the bones.
"Um. You seem to be very engrossed there," a familiar voice broke in tentatively.
Of course. I should have known better than to expect that he would vanish from my life that easily. I kept my eyes on my plate and took another generous bite of fish, making sure to scoop up the fried onions and a bit of the fat that had soaked up enough of the turmeric, ginger, and garlic sauce.”
― Karuna Riazi, Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food & Love