“Sia. You have had that gleam in your eyes.... a joy ...You found that one thing that made you more complete, like I do when I tie the ghungroos and dance! Today I can’t bear to look at the sadness in you.”

Who would have thought Aai, that petite homebody, could be so relentless. She was the unlikeliest of feminists, let alone be a gay right champion.

And then, of course, the holidays and festivals were even more special. The proverbial family time, when her in- laws dropped in and she even lost whatever little of that freedom to choose and postpone.

"Maa, why are two brides standing with each other?” The mother gently held her son’s hand and said, “Because love doesn’t see gender. If you love someone, you can always choose them."

African women writers have many enriching and fascinating stories to tell. Through their work, we realise that Africa isn’t just what the world feels it is - it's so much more.