My name is Evie Ayesha Vikram, and I'm half Indian, half American. My mother, an American citizen, and my father, an Indian citizen, created a beautiful blend of cultures in me.

After my father's passing when I was eight, my mother and I moved to Los Angeles. What we didn't know was that we were about to become a family of three. A month after my father's death, my mother discovered she was pregnant during a hospital visit for a check-up. She had been experiencing symptoms for a month but thought they were due to illness.

As a half-Indian, half-American, I faced significant challenges in Los Angeles. Many people bullied me because of my brownish-orange skin color. However, I was determined to hold onto my Indian heritage, despite being in America.

My grandmother, Devika Vikram, was fiercely protective of our Indian culture. She disagreed with my mother's decision to move me to America, leading to heated arguments. Grandma Devika could be overwhelming, often insulting and fighting with my mother, whom she blamed for my father's death.

Fortunately, my grandfather, Rajnanth Vikram, was a loving and supportive presence. He loved my mother like a daughter and would never harm her.

     FAMILY TREE OF THE VIKRAMS.

                My grandparents:

                       |                           |

         Rajnanth Vikram     Devika Khan

       Rajnanth and devika vikram:

              |                           |                      |

Aditya Vikram   Pooja Vikram   Sikander Vikram

               |                            |                       |

Paromita Oberoi   Amani Satooshi   Bonnie High Coast

       Aditya and paromita vikram:

          |                          |                              |      

      Rohit               Rohan                       Savita   

       Vikram            Vikram                 Vikram  

       Pooja and amaan satooshi:

                   |                                           |

             Devi                                        Adiraj 

        Satooshi.                               Satooshi.  

      Sikander and bonnie vikram :

             |                                             |

Evie Ayesha Vikram   Xander Ayann Vikram.

"After a few months of living in Los Angeles, my mom went into labor and gave birth to my baby brother, Xander. My grandma, Devika, traveled from India to join us, and we were all thrilled. But Grandma was especially overjoyed, convinced that Xander was the reincarnation of my late father. She named him Aaman, while my grandfather, inspired by my dad's name, Sikander, gave him the English name Xander.

As a half-Indian, I've faced my share of challenges. Despite inheriting my mom's blue eyes, I've often felt caught between cultures. I'm grateful to have navigated middle school and high school, and now I'm excited to start college. The prospect of independence, making new friends, and experiencing campus life has me thrilled.

But there's another reason I'm eager to start college - the chance to interact with boys. Since my dad passed away, I've had limited contact with boys outside of my family. My mom, influenced by Grandma's traditional values, has kept me on a tight leash. My cousin and I secretly refer to Grandma as 'Nani, Queen of Chaos,' a nickname known only to us.

Grandma's influence extends beyond her visits; she's imposed strict rules on my mom for raising us. These rules have added pressure to our lives, and I often

feel stifled by the expectations."

                    *Rules for Evie*

1. No revealing clothing (no ripped jeans or short skirts).

2. Curfew: 8 PM sharp.

3. No TV on weekdays (only on weekends).

4. No social media until age 18.

5. No phone until college (only landline).

6. No online friends.

7. No dating until college.

8. No tattoos or piercings.

9. Respect elders with "Namaste" or "Pranaam".

10. Wear traditional attire on festivals and special occasions.

11. Learn classical Indian music and dance.

12. Eat only homemade food.

13. No junk food.

14. Practice handwriting in Hindi and Sanskrit.

15. No celebrating non-Indian holidays.

16. No sleepovers.

17. No using slang or colloquial language.

18. Remove shoes before entering the house.

                *Rules for Aaman*

1. No video games.

2. No ripped jeans or sleeveless shirts.

3. No loud music.

4. No dating until marriage.

5. No celebrating non-Indian holidays.

6. Eat with right hand.

7. No sports until studies are satisfactory.

8. No sleepovers or late-night outings.

9. No slang or colloquial language.

10. Remove shoes before entering the house.

11. No backtalking or arguing with elders.

                 *Rules for Mom*

1. No parenting through technology.

2. Teach children to help with household chores.

3. Teach Evie cooking skills.

4. Limit Evie's interaction with boys.