Saleem and Saleema's wedding was lovely. It was unusual and I really enjoyed it.
Imraan and I landed quiet late yesterday evening and while I have the good fortune of having this week off from work, Imraan had to go in this morning to finalise his promotion.
Everything was ready they said, just for him to sign on the dotted line.
I planned on spending the week sorting out everything for Nasreen's baby shower.
Whatever guilt my MiL had been feeling regarding Dadi's departure seemed to have vanished while we were away, she was back to her normal self, much to my disappointment.
I was in my room making favours for the shower when MiL came looking for me.
"Fatima Barbie, are you busy?", she asked at the door
What was that? A trick question? If I said yes it would mean I didn't want to help her, if I said no it would mean I'm sitting in my room to avoid work...you can't win either way.
"No, no mummy, just sorting out some gifts for Nasreen's baby shower.", I replied.
"oh, come come, I need help making berji pura, Sumaya and Shireen are already busy in the kitchen", MiL said.
Berji pura? That's hardly a four (wo)man job! I thought as I followed her to the kitchen.
When I got there I realized something else was going on...all the leftover savories from Ramadaan were out, being baked and fried.
"its stock take at the dukaan, we have to send something, dono koonia koonia will eat...kayni kayni, booka lorko pheet ma jaai apreh wasta sawaab", my MiL said answering my unasked question.
I washed my hands and started cleaning the berji, picking the root of each leaf painstakingly...
Shireen was talking about this and that, making my MiL laugh...Sumaya worked quietly, trying to get done before her son got up from his nap, no doubt.
"I was telling Mummy I want to have another baby now..." Shireen said...
That got my attention, okay!
"oh yah...", MiL replied.
"Yah, I think I'm ready the twins will be six soon...my mother says I need to lose weight before I can think of having a baby, she wants me to go on that vegetable diet she is on...", shireen said off-handedly, as she dipped the pie she was eating into some chille sauce.
"oh yah! Hows that going for her? I forgot to ask her.", my MiL asked.
"I don't know, I don't see any difference, it won't work for me, I eat vegetables...thats for people that don't eat vegetables...my built is in my genes. Its not like i over eat or anything."
Sumaya caught my eye and passed me a look as Shireen sampled one of the samoosas she was ment to be setting on throw away platters.
I hid my smile as I wondered what exactly did 'eat vegetable's' mean to Shireen.
I clearly remember her refusing to try the creamy spinach and butternut side dish I once made, or the steamed carrots, peas and corn I make to go with chicken roast saying its to plain for her.
Just the other day she pissed Sumaya off because she told the twins they lucky she doesn't feed them 'mini trees' when Talha was eating steamed broccoli.
I suppose Shireen counted the sweet corn in her fresh cream pasta, the soft soft aloos from the curry and the oil soaked gajaar beans atchar she ate at every meal, as her portion of vegetables covered.
Shireens new topic took me away from my silly thoughts...
"there's so much space in the back, Bilal could build an apartment for us...", she said as she looked out over the backyard.
My MiL turned so fast, causing the spoon in her hand to splatter oil everywhere!
"jaja! What's this apartment business now...", she said more sternly than I have ever heard her speak to shireen before.
Shireen herself, seemed taken aback...she wasn't use to MiL disagreeing with her.
"No, I just mean it will get abit crowded here after a while, at least we have land to build.", Shireen explained.
" Your Masagee will never allow all alag alag! What crowded, there is still two spare rooms!", my MiL almost shouted.
"what people will think, that my own sisters daughter couldn't live with muhabbaat!", My MiL was fuming, "Everybody will talk!!"
I finished mixing my batter and quietly left it by MiL for frying as I attempted to make a quick exit. I could see Sumaya wanting to do the same...
My MiL continued, furiously"its that Layla putting all these ideas in your head!..., I knew there will be trouble once you made friends with her!"
" how she said, that day you brought her for lunch...'oh, I can't believe 4 families live together in this house!'...what four families, we all one family! All western thinking todays children got!"
Shireen looked like she wanted to cry, I excused myself saying I wanted to freshen up as Imraan will be home any minute now.
As Magrib azaan went, Sumaya too ran for cover...looks like cloudy skies are in todays forecast, with a chance of thunder showers.
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