The Wheeze Machine By Deepak Sharma Translated by Dhiraj Singh As soon as Pa’s back from work my aunt covers him like breath on a mirror. “They’ve announced a job. It’s for women only… at the clothes factory. Morning shift, starting 7 till 3. The salary is also good. Three thousand rupees. It is a job made for Kartiki…” “Made for her? That wheeze machine?” Pa says in mock surprise. Pa keeps inventing new names for Ma. “If only she could get a hold of her breathing!” Pa is right. Ma is a chronic asthmatic but that doesn’t stop her from playing