Today before Jumuah, Imraan called me, frantic...
The secretary had just informed him that the board wants to see him for a closed-door meeting after lunch. Imraan was really worried. Nobody else had been called in for such a meeting since the big guns had arrived so the office was hi-wired with even more speculation...
"make dua for me baby, Il call you soon as I know what's happening...", he said.
" stop stressing, its not going to do you any good, when you go home after Jumuah, go wear your favorite shirt, freshen up etc, then go back...be confident! You awesome, they calling you in to tell you that!", I tried to calm him.
He laughed nervously, "Il phone you later, love you."
"love you too..."
As we rang off, I thought about how hard Imraan had worked to get where he is...
When Imraan completed school, his family naturally expected him to follow Muhammed and Bilal into the business that my FiL worked so hard to build...nobody was happy to hear Imraan had other plans!
Instead of going into business, Imraan wanted to do Law, he didn't know what aspect but he wanted to study, not part time while at the business, but full time. A real college experience. everybody thought he was crazy.
Imraan applied to most of the universities and he got into almost all but his father refused to pay for his studies.
Imraan had very little savings but he was determined, so he looked for bursaries', he finally found one before the final cut-off dates for registration which narrowed his choices down and he settled on UKZN.
Instead of staying at home, he decided to live on res even though campus was less than 20mins from home. Imraan use to go home every weekend for a night or two.
His father eventually realized that he was serious about this and started putting pressure on Imraan to study business law, Imraan was still determined to carve his own identity and future.
A holiday job as a legal aid is what made him choose conveyance eventually. He loved his current job and had been hoping to move up the ladder.
It would be his worst nightmare to lose his job, it would be horrible for him.
While we could still live comfortably while he searched for another job in his field, I think the loss of his job would be a very heavy blow. I doubt imraan would be able to go into the family business either way...he just wasn't cut out for it and Bilal would have a field day over his fall.
at Jumuah, I made earnest dua for my dear husband, for us, for our success...in this world and the next...
"oh Allah, if something is good for us, bring it towards us..and if it is bad for us, take it away from us, and bless us with something better, that we may be happy with ..."
Showing posts with label FiL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FiL. Show all posts
Friday, 22 August 2014
Tuesday, 19 August 2014
Part 18: Bruised egos and high, high heels.
We got back to such a lovely scene on Sunday evening.
Everybody was crowded around the table having coffee, tea and dippers. The conversation was animated and punctuated with roars of laughter. It looked like the work function had went off perfectly.
It only took me a moment to realize that MiL wasn't amongst the merry-makers. I wasn't the only one that noticed...
"where's mummy?", asked Imraan, dragging up chairs for me and him.
"oh come I tell you'll what happen!", said Dadi
Oh-0 I thought...what now...
Sumayas expression was unreadable...no help there.
"she broke her leg!", said shireen quickly.
"no she didn't, she fractured her ankle.", said Bilal.
"I think she sprained it." , said my FiL.
" Wait wait wait! I want to,explain to them.",Dadi began, from the beginning ofcorse, as old people always do...
" Fatima and Imraan, lucky you bought me the healthy shoes...otherwise I too would have been like bechari kayroon Gori.
Yesterday at the function Kayroon stood one place by the door saying "welcome, come in come in" to all the noorkers and their families."
"Then when everything started she sat chupchapti down and was listening, anything she wanted to say or do she send message with twins for Sumaya and Shireen. Ma bee, I'm thinking why she don't going here and there, you know she don't sit quietly...but I never ask her anything."
" Then it was time for her award...the man was telling about the award and called Kayroon Gori to come up to the stage."
"Kayroon Gori woke up slowly, smiling smiling ne hando at everybody."
Dadi explained that as MiL got to the top step, the MC asked everybody to put their hands together for her...Dadi says she don't know what exactly happen but one second MiL was standing, next thing she was a puddle of fabric on the floor...
OMW!!!! How awful!
"I think her egos more bruised than her ankle, but we must all be sensitive to her." my FiL said.
I could only imagine! The overtime award was MiLs proudest moment at the annual function, she looked forward to it the most.
She told me before, that she just loved hearing the story every year.
When Imraan's parents were newly married, my FiL worked very hard to build his business,when it was finally off the ground and established,Imraan's father decided to have a function after Eid to celebrate with his business family.
One night while planning the function he thought of including awards as he mentioned categories my MiL pip'd in that she needs and award for the time she's alone with the children while my FiL is working....
That year, at the very first function, my FiL surprised my MiL by calling her on stage to give her a gift for putting up with his long hours and standing besides him through the toughest years, he presented her with a beautiful watch. He then,joked that he hopes she won't expect one every year...
The following year Imraan was born, that year my FiL got very ill and was unable to be at work for an extend period of time, my FiLs friend stood in for him and really held the business together, he himself was newly married.
once my FiL recovered, he wondered how to thank,his friend for his generous help, it was my MiL again who said that the wife deserve the thanks more. At that years function, my FiL had my MiL present their friends wife with a watch for her patience...and thus, the award was born.
Every year, a watch is presented to the spouse of the employee who has the most overtime hours, however it has to be a different employee every year, once you have received it, you can't receive it again.
every year, my MiL is called up to present the watch and the story behind it is told.
After Dadi told us what happen, Imraan and I went to check in on MiL, as I had assumed, she was more beat up over the embarrassment than any physical injury.
as she told her version of the event, I spied the pair of extremely high, high heels near the cupboard, my word! What had she been thinking!
On the dresser was the watch she had been gifted originally, I admired the classic design.
I know that both Sumaya and Shireen
had been recipients of the award previously. I knew it was unlikely that I ever would be, Imraan was not part of the family business...he actually worked very hard not to be!
...but that too, is a story on its own.
Everybody was crowded around the table having coffee, tea and dippers. The conversation was animated and punctuated with roars of laughter. It looked like the work function had went off perfectly.
It only took me a moment to realize that MiL wasn't amongst the merry-makers. I wasn't the only one that noticed...
"where's mummy?", asked Imraan, dragging up chairs for me and him.
"oh come I tell you'll what happen!", said Dadi
Oh-0 I thought...what now...
Sumayas expression was unreadable...no help there.
"she broke her leg!", said shireen quickly.
"no she didn't, she fractured her ankle.", said Bilal.
"I think she sprained it." , said my FiL.
" Wait wait wait! I want to,explain to them.",Dadi began, from the beginning ofcorse, as old people always do...
" Fatima and Imraan, lucky you bought me the healthy shoes...otherwise I too would have been like bechari kayroon Gori.
Yesterday at the function Kayroon stood one place by the door saying "welcome, come in come in" to all the noorkers and their families."
"Then when everything started she sat chupchapti down and was listening, anything she wanted to say or do she send message with twins for Sumaya and Shireen. Ma bee, I'm thinking why she don't going here and there, you know she don't sit quietly...but I never ask her anything."
" Then it was time for her award...the man was telling about the award and called Kayroon Gori to come up to the stage."
"Kayroon Gori woke up slowly, smiling smiling ne hando at everybody."
Dadi explained that as MiL got to the top step, the MC asked everybody to put their hands together for her...Dadi says she don't know what exactly happen but one second MiL was standing, next thing she was a puddle of fabric on the floor...
OMW!!!! How awful!
"I think her egos more bruised than her ankle, but we must all be sensitive to her." my FiL said.
I could only imagine! The overtime award was MiLs proudest moment at the annual function, she looked forward to it the most.
She told me before, that she just loved hearing the story every year.
When Imraan's parents were newly married, my FiL worked very hard to build his business,when it was finally off the ground and established,Imraan's father decided to have a function after Eid to celebrate with his business family.
One night while planning the function he thought of including awards as he mentioned categories my MiL pip'd in that she needs and award for the time she's alone with the children while my FiL is working....
That year, at the very first function, my FiL surprised my MiL by calling her on stage to give her a gift for putting up with his long hours and standing besides him through the toughest years, he presented her with a beautiful watch. He then,joked that he hopes she won't expect one every year...
The following year Imraan was born, that year my FiL got very ill and was unable to be at work for an extend period of time, my FiLs friend stood in for him and really held the business together, he himself was newly married.
once my FiL recovered, he wondered how to thank,his friend for his generous help, it was my MiL again who said that the wife deserve the thanks more. At that years function, my FiL had my MiL present their friends wife with a watch for her patience...and thus, the award was born.
Every year, a watch is presented to the spouse of the employee who has the most overtime hours, however it has to be a different employee every year, once you have received it, you can't receive it again.
every year, my MiL is called up to present the watch and the story behind it is told.
After Dadi told us what happen, Imraan and I went to check in on MiL, as I had assumed, she was more beat up over the embarrassment than any physical injury.
as she told her version of the event, I spied the pair of extremely high, high heels near the cupboard, my word! What had she been thinking!
On the dresser was the watch she had been gifted originally, I admired the classic design.
I know that both Sumaya and Shireen
had been recipients of the award previously. I knew it was unlikely that I ever would be, Imraan was not part of the family business...he actually worked very hard not to be!
...but that too, is a story on its own.
Monday, 11 August 2014
Part 15: Who's the real Ho Maa here...All that glitters is not gold!
Things have been a little tense around here because MiL expected Dadi to leave on Eid day, but Dadi didn't! Instead she extended her stay indefinitely by saying that since Shaabir (her eldest son) hadn't come on Eid day, she had nobody to go with and she doesn't want to trouble anybody to drive her "here and there", so she will just stay here till a more convenient opportunity to leave comes up.
Ofcorse, my FiL told her there was no rush and she is most welcome to stay for as long as she likes, hadn't he offered her years ago to claim the second guest bedroom as hers and move in permanently. Dadi really glowed after that.
Quiet frankly I don't think anybody besides MiL and Shireen were bothered by Dadis presence. She fits into the household seamlessly. I for one enjoy having her around, she is very witty and her cooking and baking has fulfilled all my cravings!
I know Sumaya likes her too because she has enough patience with Talha.
So the only people that mind having Dadi are MiL and Shireen. Shireens reason was obvious, Dadi didn't like Shireen at all and made no secret of that. Dadi also disapproved of MiLs fondness over Shireen which was clearly different from her quick annoyance and hasty judgments of both Sumaya and I.
MiLs reasons for wanting Dadi to leave is less obvious and more typical. Dadi was fond of ruffling MiLs feathers and complained loudly and often. "Kayroon Gori, you got two-two maids and you still can't keep the house clean!, look at all the dust!"
So, while my FiL went out of his way to make Dadi feel welcome in the home, MiL tripped all over herself with subtle hints hidden behind false kindness.
"oh, Ma...its no trouble for us to drop you off, you know that...the boys won't mind at all! Even Fatima drives, she can drop you off too..."
Imraan's water glass came down fast, landing with a thud against the table, " Fatima is NOT driving around unnecessarily, and dropping Dadi off is completely unnecessary. Dadi is in no hurry to go anywhere and besides, we won't be here this weekend, so Dadi can help you with Abbas work function.", Imraan said, sterner than was necessary.
Every year after Eid, my FiL holds a huge function for all the workers at the store. Every employee and their immediate family was invited, from the senior management (Muhammad and Bilal) right down to the cashiers and cleaners. It was the most looked forward to day in the company calendar and it was consider a perk of the job. I hadn't attended the previous ones and I was going to miss this years one too.
A huge tent was erected in the back yard to hold over 400 people. The function was fully catered and help was outsourced for every aspect, however, if you overheard my MiL speak of the function, you would never know...she acted as if she was single handedly, physically doing every job instead of merely co-coordinating and overseeing as others performed the task.
"This year I'm making almost 60 roast chickens and oven vegetables.", she told one of her sisters over the phone. (really, are you cooking them in your extra width defy oven then?)
"every year we make same same things nahando, but this year, I changed it completely!", she told her SiL (it was the catering company that insisted that the menu needs a change, it had been the same for almost 25 years!)
"we serving mutton karai , hatchi waat! One whole sheep we'll cut!, I'm telling you, I'm so busy with all this.", she told her cousin from danahausser. (not to busy to phone you and tell you how busy I am, though)
"I have to serve vegetable biryani, madragee lorko kayne kaisaaki.", she told Shireens mother when she came over to visit (imagine, if vegetarians ONLY ate veg biryani!)
The function was such a big deal to my MiL as bosses wife that every year she had an outfit made, like it was the Oscars. This years teal and sea green printed fabric dress had a glittery netting and long flowing selves...so unsuitable for a 'busy' hostess. The dress leaked glitter all over the tiles every time MiL moved. When she tried it on for us, Talha loudly whispered to me that, "Dadi looks like the witch from that story you taught me in school, Fatima ma'am."
MiL acted like she didn't hear him and proceeded to show me all the bling she'll wear to match the dress...it was all abit much and over the top...but I didn't say so...
Tumi who was walking past with a jug of water, got so distracted by the dress she nearly trip and spill it...the string of insults hurled out of my MiLs mouth sent poor Tumi scurrying to the kitchen.
Ah, all that glitters is not gold!
"How can Dadi come! She doesn't have anything nice to wear!", my MiL snapped at Imraan's suggestion.
"I brought a nice dress, my friend Shahedaah the dressmaker sewed for me from that chalaaktu challaktu fabric Fatima gave wedding time.", Dadi said hopefully.
For some reason, I suddenly felt very sorry for Dadi.
"you can't wear that old thing!", my MiL said adamantly, insulting both Dadi and I in one careless statement.
Dadi suddenly looked very small and sad, I wanted to go over and hug her.
"That's enough Kayroonisa!", my FiL sounded very angry (rare for him), "the staff don't need you to show them how fancy you are!, Ma can wear whatever she likes."
That out to put an end to the nasty
...oh so I thought...
Ofcorse, my FiL told her there was no rush and she is most welcome to stay for as long as she likes, hadn't he offered her years ago to claim the second guest bedroom as hers and move in permanently. Dadi really glowed after that.
Quiet frankly I don't think anybody besides MiL and Shireen were bothered by Dadis presence. She fits into the household seamlessly. I for one enjoy having her around, she is very witty and her cooking and baking has fulfilled all my cravings!
I know Sumaya likes her too because she has enough patience with Talha.
So the only people that mind having Dadi are MiL and Shireen. Shireens reason was obvious, Dadi didn't like Shireen at all and made no secret of that. Dadi also disapproved of MiLs fondness over Shireen which was clearly different from her quick annoyance and hasty judgments of both Sumaya and I.
MiLs reasons for wanting Dadi to leave is less obvious and more typical. Dadi was fond of ruffling MiLs feathers and complained loudly and often. "Kayroon Gori, you got two-two maids and you still can't keep the house clean!, look at all the dust!"
So, while my FiL went out of his way to make Dadi feel welcome in the home, MiL tripped all over herself with subtle hints hidden behind false kindness.
"oh, Ma...its no trouble for us to drop you off, you know that...the boys won't mind at all! Even Fatima drives, she can drop you off too..."
Imraan's water glass came down fast, landing with a thud against the table, " Fatima is NOT driving around unnecessarily, and dropping Dadi off is completely unnecessary. Dadi is in no hurry to go anywhere and besides, we won't be here this weekend, so Dadi can help you with Abbas work function.", Imraan said, sterner than was necessary.
Every year after Eid, my FiL holds a huge function for all the workers at the store. Every employee and their immediate family was invited, from the senior management (Muhammad and Bilal) right down to the cashiers and cleaners. It was the most looked forward to day in the company calendar and it was consider a perk of the job. I hadn't attended the previous ones and I was going to miss this years one too.
A huge tent was erected in the back yard to hold over 400 people. The function was fully catered and help was outsourced for every aspect, however, if you overheard my MiL speak of the function, you would never know...she acted as if she was single handedly, physically doing every job instead of merely co-coordinating and overseeing as others performed the task.
"This year I'm making almost 60 roast chickens and oven vegetables.", she told one of her sisters over the phone. (really, are you cooking them in your extra width defy oven then?)
"every year we make same same things nahando, but this year, I changed it completely!", she told her SiL (it was the catering company that insisted that the menu needs a change, it had been the same for almost 25 years!)
"we serving mutton karai , hatchi waat! One whole sheep we'll cut!, I'm telling you, I'm so busy with all this.", she told her cousin from danahausser. (not to busy to phone you and tell you how busy I am, though)
"I have to serve vegetable biryani, madragee lorko kayne kaisaaki.", she told Shireens mother when she came over to visit (imagine, if vegetarians ONLY ate veg biryani!)
The function was such a big deal to my MiL as bosses wife that every year she had an outfit made, like it was the Oscars. This years teal and sea green printed fabric dress had a glittery netting and long flowing selves...so unsuitable for a 'busy' hostess. The dress leaked glitter all over the tiles every time MiL moved. When she tried it on for us, Talha loudly whispered to me that, "Dadi looks like the witch from that story you taught me in school, Fatima ma'am."
MiL acted like she didn't hear him and proceeded to show me all the bling she'll wear to match the dress...it was all abit much and over the top...but I didn't say so...
Tumi who was walking past with a jug of water, got so distracted by the dress she nearly trip and spill it...the string of insults hurled out of my MiLs mouth sent poor Tumi scurrying to the kitchen.
Ah, all that glitters is not gold!
"How can Dadi come! She doesn't have anything nice to wear!", my MiL snapped at Imraan's suggestion.
"I brought a nice dress, my friend Shahedaah the dressmaker sewed for me from that chalaaktu challaktu fabric Fatima gave wedding time.", Dadi said hopefully.
For some reason, I suddenly felt very sorry for Dadi.
"you can't wear that old thing!", my MiL said adamantly, insulting both Dadi and I in one careless statement.
Dadi suddenly looked very small and sad, I wanted to go over and hug her.
"That's enough Kayroonisa!", my FiL sounded very angry (rare for him), "the staff don't need you to show them how fancy you are!, Ma can wear whatever she likes."
That out to put an end to the nasty
...oh so I thought...
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