Part 62:Zehraah and Zeyaan

I was wheeled to the NiCU to meet my precious babies.

Zehraah and Zeyaan

They are beautiful, sweet and so tiny.
The minute I saw them I fell in love! I also knew that they will make it, I just knew.

My father was okay. He had suffered a heart attack but for the most part he was fine.
I was released from hospital before the twins. I stayed in Port Shepstone and Ahmed or Sabera drove me to and from the hospital almost daily.

Imraan drove back and forth between Martizburg and Port Shepstone as often as he could manage. Some days he drove from PMB to Sheppie straight from work at 4, he would get to us at 7-8 pm and leave again after midnight, sleep in durban and drive to work in the morning. sometimes he would drive back to PMB after fajr to make it in time for work.It was exhausting. The only thing that made it easier was seeing how well our babies were doing.

We dreamed of taking them home and raising them. The last two months have been horrible. Imraan looks like a different person. He has lost so much weight, I can cry when I see him.
My mother has been running between me and my father as she nursed us both back to full strength.

I am doing alot better now. I can't wait to start our family life. It's all Imraan and I can talk about. The twins getting out of hospital and the four of us going home. The traveling is really hard on him too.

Sabera and Luqmaan are having a small nikkah this Friday after Jumuah and then the both families are hosting a joint Walima Lunch. Sabera is moving to PMB!!!

I'm so thrilled because she agreed to come home for a few hours each day to help me out with the twins.

Next week our babies will be ready to come home. Imraan is like a changed man already.

I can't wait!

Part 57: Janaah Charow and drama

The week went by so quickly and before I knew it, it was the morning of the Janaah Charow. My mother acted like the whole of Port Shepstone was coming to inspect the house and eat.

She and Dadi started straight after fajr, cleaning top to bottom, corner to corner, left to right, side to side, under and on top, around and inside! Just watching them, made me tired! I was also kinda glad that I'm pregnant and wasn't roped in to help. By the time the maid cane at 8am, it didn't seem like there was anything left for her to do.

After my mother berated her for 15minutes about how late she was, they sent her of to wash windows, shine the veranda and sweep the driveway! Really? Was all this even necessary?

I volunteered as a taster in the kitchen as lunch and snacks were being made and by 9am my mother was after Sabera to get done.

"Mummy, you do know that they only coming after 1, right?, there is still plenty of time!"

" mummy stop fussying, you making me nervous!"

"mummy, just leave me, Im fine!"

Sabera was starting to get on my nerves too, she was so laid back and lackadaisical about everything and mummy was running around like a headless chicken. I finally asked Imraan to take me to the mall for some last minute things but unfortunately he was expecting a very important international call and couldn't.

So, I asked my father. My father seemed relieved to have an excuse to leave the mad house for awhile and he didn't even complain when I dragged him between shops. It was nice to spend some alone, one-on-one time with him.

As we drove back home, I studied him from the passenger side seat. I was taken aback at how old he looked. His face had changed, he looked run down and tired. While we busy growing up, we don't really notice that they growing old. I think my parents could do with a holiday after the wedding, they need to sit back and relax abit!

Once we got home, I put the finishing touched to the tables and went off to change and then check in on Sabera.before we knew it, the boys side had arrived and the formalities began.

Luqmaan's family seemed really nice and Sabera was very relaxed. She seemed to be enjoying herself. After lunch, the boys side left and I went to admire the kunchaas they brought.

The gifts were very unique and different, a chefs hat, apron, baking utensils and a recipe book set in a gaint cupcake tin, was one.

A blank canvas with paint brushes and paint, made up another gift.

 Tea cups with a variety of teas, sugars and biscuits, set on a tray.

A picnic basket with sparkling grape juice and fresh strawberries. I was so impressed!Luqmaans family was very creative.

My father retired to his room and by Magrib he still hadn't emerged, my mother went to check on him.

I was in my room, finishing my salaah, when I heard my mothers terrified screams down the passage, I rushed out to see what happened just as Ahmed ran into my parents room, my mother  hurried to explain to him, as I listened in shock...
"it's daddy! His just laying there, his breathing is so shallow, his covered in sweat!", mummy said close to hysterics.

Part 56: Generous Genies

Before we left on Sunday, Sabera pulled me aside to tell me she felt certain about this but very nervous.

My parents were very pleased.

I couldn't believe that we had a wedding to do while I was in so pregnant. I tried talking my father into delaying the wedding till after I had the babies but he laughed at me! There was no way.

My mother said I would complain even more with two newborns. Well, at least I have something to do now while Imraan's at work, planing Saberas wedding should full my days.
This coming weekend will be the Janna-Charow, since Sabera hates 'Indian Traditions', it's just going to be house people...Luqmaans brother and his family will be coming down since they haven't met Sabera yet.

Good thing its a small function, I can't exactly find anything comfortable to wear. I don't know when they going to have the Nikkah but I guess I shall have to wear a tent for the Walima!

On our way back from Port Shepstone we stopped to visit Imraan's parents. It's so weird going there, our room doesn't feel like 'our room' anymore though we read esha there.
I looked around it amazed how my perspective had changed in such a short time.
Even though we visited for a short time, it was so nice to see Sumaya, I really miss that bond we had.

Shireens pregnant again and very excited. She's already complaining about aches and pains and can barely keep up with the twins now.

My MiL spoke excitedly about her up coming trip, she is going to Dubai for two weeks with all her sisters, her brother and his wife. She promised me lots of gifts but I told her not to worry, she should just go enjoy herself.

" Jaa-Ja, my kushi is to spend on you'll...if I don't spoil you'll I won't be happy, no no...I heard about all the souks there, Il look for nice nice things.", She said.

" Jee, but it's not cheap there.", I said. Her open generosity was making me uncomfortable, our family was quite big, I didn't want her to feel like I expected gifts. It would be difficult for Mil to buy a ton of things for all of us, though I am sure my Fil would give her a generous allowance.

We left after a light tea and I was just falling asleep in the car when I heard Imraan say, " I gave mummy some spending money from our side for herself, about R10 000."

Ahhh...it was my husbands generosity that she was flaunting, now that made more sense, I could sleep easy.

Part 55: wedding bells

The trip to Port Shepstone was uneventful. I remember the last trip we made after Ramadaan back when we just found out we were pregnant.

Sabera looked absolutely stunning for her meeting with Luqmaan. She wore a simple but lovely knee-length top with jeans and her scarf and shoes just tied the outfit together. She looked stunning but no different from the way she dresses usually. I was so glad she didn't try to make herself into something she isn't.

Luqmaan wore jeans and a shirt tucked in, in a very smart casual look that suited him perfectly. I could already think of him as a 'brother', he looked very intimidated when he created Ahmed which was funny because Luqmaan was a year older than Ahmed, but Ahmed had that effect on people.

I couldn't help but notice that Luqmaan was wearing a shirt that was the exact shade of grey that Sabera loves, her room curtains were the very same colour. I wonder if it was a coincidence or he panned that.

My mother went all out for the visit and made a million little eats for them. I felt very privileged that even though I was technically from the "boys side", it was my parents home so nobody raised eyebrows when I heaped my plate multiple times and whacked lashings of chutney's.

Dadi kept saying, "kaah...kaah..." and eat I did!

When Sabera and Luqmaan came back from their brief chat, they looked like deer and doe caught in headlights. My heart went all melty...
This looked like a done deal but ofcorse Luqmaan left with a question he would have to wait for the answer too.

As soon as they left, Ahmed, Imraan and I turned to torment Sabera but she was way smarter than that...she rushed of to her room saying she had istikara to make.

Imraan and I had decided that we would spend the rest of the weekend with my parents. So I am totally looking forward to full share of spoiling. Ofcorse I am suddenly feeling for everything.

Part 54: Imraan makes a proposal

My family's visit was so good. I went out of my way to prepare for them but ofcorse my mother and Dadi came with a wagon worth of prepared meals to stock my freezer and fridge.

"now my wife won't cook for me for months!", Imraan said when he saw the loot.

"I'm surprised she cooks at all!", Sabera chimed in.

"Oh, we'll see what kind of a housewife you make!", I shot back at her

"I will be a kept women", Sabera sighed, pretending to study her manicure..." Besides, Dadi said she'll come once a week to cook for me!"

"Ja-Ja, tharu maathu!", Dadi retorted, eyeballing Sabera with disapproval.

My mother just shook her head at us as she helped me tidy up after lunch.

I made tea for us and then the four of us sat down for panchaat as my father went of with Imraan to inspect something in the garden.

I could see why my mother was so concerned about my Dad, he really looked tired and drained out. My mamagee had scheduled him for an ECG and a check up with a physician. My father was playing delay tactics.

As we sat and chatted about this and that, various members of the family and the latest in Muslim fashion, my father and Imraan came back in...both of them had a strange look on their faces.

We all looked at them waiting for them to speak...my father sat down and cleared his throat ... Then he stirred the cup of tea my mother had poured for him. The tension was thick.

I couldn't begin to imagine what was so serious but I had a small clue from the way Imraan kept glancing at Sabera.

Finally my father spoke.

"Imraan has made a proposal of sorts...", he said gravely.

What! My mother, Sabera and Dadi looked at him so confused.

I giggled at my fathers choice of words.

Imraan had mentioned to me that his friend Luqmaan had been asking about Sabera recently, ever since he saw her a few months ago when he bumped into us the weekend of Nasreen's baby shower.

Sabera too, had confided in me that he had invited her on Facebook as a friend.

My father explained to the three that Imraan had asked if it is okay for Luqmaan and his dad to come up to Port Shepstone to see Sabera.

Since Luqmaans mum had past away not to long ago and his brother lived in Johannesburg, Imraan and I would accompany them.

Even though Sabera had seemed chilled about the Facebook invite, I wasn't sure how she would react to the proposal. However, one look at her face said it all...she was red red red like a tomato...not from anger though! My sister was blushing!!!!!

I smiled across at Imraan as Sabera nodded her head at my father, telling him its okay for Luqmaan to come home.

My father smiled as my mother hugged her, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.
We all kind of had a feeling that " this was it" for Sabera. It was a bitter sweet moment.

Part 13-The end of the beginning...

When Imraan got to the china mall he barely acknowledged the other man, he just gave him a business card and said, "call me after Eid, Il sort you out...get your car assessed...give your details to my friend, I'll file an AR form later, right now my wife needs,medical attention.

He leaned into the car and asked me how I felt, if anything was sore...when I said no, he helped me out, he hugged me and said, come, your uncles expecting us.

"My car?", i asked Imraan.
"Luqmaan will drive Dadi home and take your car in.", Imraan replied offhandedly.

"jaja, koonche Luqmaan1! I'm coming with your", Dadi said.
"Dadi this is private...",Imraan started...
"Ma bee accident ma wagu2...i got hypertension too! I can feel my heart beating!" Dadi said dramatically

Luqmaan,Imraan's friend from work, roared with laughter!

"okay, okay, come both of you...Luqmaan just take the car by your ballie...I'll phone him one of the days." Imraan said

I remembered that Luqmaans father was a mechanic and owned a full auto yard and workshop. As he drove away, I had a fleeting thought about forgetting serviettes and deco in the backseat.

When we got to my mamagees3 surgery he sent Dadi to the nurse to get checked while he took my vitals.
"Fati fati...what have you done batchoo, okay lay on the bed for me, lift your abayaa little, lets do an ultrasound.", he said.

"everything seems okay Fatima, I'm guessing its a healthy fetus of about 6-8 weeks. Alhumdulliah"

"Imraan, the next 48 hours are crucial, she can't be on her feet, that means nothing for her to do for Eid. I mean it! She's stubborn, I know, but this is important...the slightest pain and she needs to be taken into casualties...we don't know if there will be any after effects from the jerk."
" Fatima, the receptionist will give you a list of good Obs&Gyni, there are some excellent Muslim females on the list, choose somebody from that list. You need to start taking folic acid, Il give you a script. Look after her Imraan, insha'Allah everything will be okay"

"oh and maybe keep her away from the roads too, for our safety more than hers" my uncle joked. "even Nasreen scared us by hitting a bar case last month, she was 6 months pregnant!"...
"oh you know, the garage might take very long with her car", Imraan said seriously
"it wasn't such a big smash", I protested
"you a panel beater now, are you?", Imraan teased me.
"go go you'll...I'll see you tomorrow, don't forget, supper at my house." my mamagee said

Dadi and I went home with clean bills of health. Dadi and Imraan ensured I was of my feet and on Eid morning we told our families, everybody was thrilled, Sumaya hugged me warmly. My mother started crying over the phone when she heard everything that had happened plus my news...i told her Imraan and I would be visiting the coming weekend, Insha'Allah.

Eid went very well, I found some time in the Dadi to ask Dadi how she guessed I was pregnant.
"no guess guess like your dress Barbie, when you get as old as me, you know when a paatri paatri pooiri3 gets a small pehtu4 and starts making ulthi5 all the time and starts looking more roopari than before, then she must be getting a batchoo6."
Wow!I was amazed...
"orrh, and Imraan let me use your bathroom for wudu fajr time yesterday...that pink test something box was by the sink...i chupchaapti7 put it in the bin", Dadi said with a naughty wink!
Un.believe.able!! I laughed so much, even Talha seemed to hear me.

In the evening I met the heavily pregnant Nasreen who was too thrilled about my news...
"you must go to Dr. B,at Crompton...he is beyond excellent...and quiet good looking too, you know, for an old man.." 
Oh this girl! She will never change! 


That night as I lay in bed I studied my husbands face...
"what you think...", he asked.
"it feels like the end of a chapter, doesn't it...the newlyweds phase is almost over, we going to be parents Insha'Allah.", I replied.
"Ameen, I'm really looking forward to it..."
"so am I,baby... so am I...we held hands and fell asleep..."

Glossary:

1. what!whos Luqmaan.
2. i also got hurt.
3. thin, thin girl
4. stomach
5. vomiting
6. baby
7. quietly