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 49:Point Taken

Pregnancy brain really got me for a six, after fajr I had explained to Imraan how I had mixed up the dates and he couldn't believe it.

We had such a lovely date night last night. We went to a really nice restaurant for supper and a drive through the empty streets afterwards as we chatted and laughed. It was so good to spend time with him like that.

Imraan assured me that things would settle down soon for him at work and we would have more time together. I was glad.

I tried to explain to Imraan how annoyed I was that his mother had rearranged the kitchen to suit herself but he didn't understand. He said she was only trying to help and I can just put it right when she was gone, no big deal.

Today Shireen and Bilal drove up to fetch MiL since her friend had decided to stay in PMB for a few more days, while everybody was eating lunch I asked the twins to go to the garage and see if the want to set some of Imraan's tools right for him. Imraan is very fussy about his tools, he has a special cabinet for them that he made himself and everything is neatly organized.

I watched at the twins reset all the containers of screws and nuts and bolts according to the lid colours and then mixed up the star and flat screwdrivers. I was more than happy for their "help" and directed them out before they caused to much of a ruckus.

So tonight after supper I asked Imraan to please screw on the hinge that had come of the cupboard door...his shout of irritation from the garage when he discovered his neatly arranged tools had, me laughing.

I tried to keep a straight face as Imraan came back demanding to know what happen to his tool cabinet...

" oh, the twins...they were just trying to help...you can just rearrange it now,they gone.."

Imraan looked like he was going to explode!!!
He must off caught my hard to hide grin because his face suddenly changed as the penny dropped.
'Point taken', he muttered as he back walked out of the kitchen, " Il speak to my mum".
" Thanks!", I replied with a smug look...
"oh and Imraan...dont forget to fix that door for me!"
"Humph!", was the only reply followed by the jingle of the tools....

Part 48: Trouble in Paradise

I quickly pressed the button to open the gate to allow my MiL in. I had no idea she was coming for a visit today. She and my FiL had already come to 'see' the place when we first moved. Maybe she had told Imraan and he forgot to tell me.

Imraan has been so busy with work, I barely see him. He flies out the door, grabbing his breakfast as he goes. Most nights he calls to say he will be late, not to wait up for him. I try to stay positive about it but I do get lonely, I barely know anybody in PMB except my Gori Foi and her husband, and quiet frankly, she works on my nerves now days!

My MiL started talking as soon as she saw me, clearly not offended by the incident.
" Fatima Barbie! Salaam Alikum, I'm so lucky to get a lift here today. You know my friend fazila, from the corner house, yah she told me she was coming up today because her DiL went into labour, Shukaar Alhumdulliah, I said let me just jump in with her, atleast I can come help you here. Look at taqdeer, who knew I will be here today!"

Oh boy....there goes my relaxing bubble bath. Serves me right for thinking that I was 'lonely'.
I shouldn't have stressed about playing hostess, my MiL made herself right at home. She changed from wedge clogs to champals and switched the kettle on. Once she had her tea she looked towards the stove, her brow frowning...

" Fatima Barbie, areh areh, no pots on the stove? It's 2 o' clock already, what time you going to start cooking?"

I just sighed...maybe it was pregnancy hormones or maybe I was just over tired, but I really wasn't in the mood for my MiLs dramatics today. I should have just let Elie chase her away!!!!

" No Ma, Imraan's taking me out for supper tonight", I said.

Imraan was feeling guilty about how little time we had spent together over the last few weeks since we moved, so to make up for it, he decided we would do a date night. I was seriously thinking of canceling it now. I was exhausted and this impromptu visit from his mother, wasn't helping either.

As I watched her scanning my kitchen with her critical eyes, I found myself seething. I decided I needed a time-out, I excused myself to take a shower.

When I came back my MiL was busy arranging canisters on the counter. I decided to ignore her and go read Quraan and get ready for my date with Imraan.

By half five I was really hungry, I was tired of all my MiL stories too. I actually envied Elie as she got her stuff together to leave. I wondered when MiL will be leaving so I casualy asked her if her friends DiL had had her baby.

"No no, she is still in labour, shame man. Fazila phoned to say she can't go back to Durban tonight. Luckily I carried spare set clothes. You see, must always be prepared!". My MiL said.
My patience was really thin today, I found myself fuming! Not only did my MiL drop in unannounced but now she just decided to stay overnight aswell. She wasn't even
apologizing ! She knew Imraan and I were planning to go out too.

Being six months pregnant in the heat wasn't doing me any favours. I was moody and the stress of moving, settling in and adjusting to Imraan's new schedule, was all taking a toll on me.

I decided to breath in and out and try to calm down. It helped abit.

An hour later I was still waiting for Imraan, I was really hungry now and debated whether to have a sandwich or just wait. I tried Imraan's phone but it just rang. I didn't want to have something to eat if he was just a few minutes away and then be too full to enjoy my supper.
Half an hour later, I gave up. I made a sandwich for me and one for MiL, we ate in near silence. After we were done I tried Imraan's phone again, it went straight to voicemail. I sighed and slipped of my shoes, either he was very busy and delayed or he completely forgot our plans, either way, I was sick of waiting. I made him a sandwich too and left it in the micro.

MiL saw my mood and decided to make excuses for him. I excused myself and went to bed.

 I heard Imraan coming in late that night, as he got into bed he whispered, "everything alright?", I hmmmmed in reply...
"Oki, don't forget, tomorrow is our date night", Imraan said as he kissed me goodnight.

I sneaked a peep at my cellphone...sure enough, I had my dates mixed up! Argh!

Part 47: Settling in...

The shrill ringing of the intercom buzzer made me jump. I had been daydreaming as I finished up in the kitchen.

My kitchen was finally organized and fully functional and I was so proud. The kitchen is the heart of the home after all.

I was so pleased with my shiny new appliances, I couldn't stop admiring them. Imraan hadn't spared any cost, he obligingly paid for all my whims and fancies, Alhumdulliah. I was thrilled with the end result.

We were slowly putting our home together and surprisingly in such a short time we had achieved so much. There was still loads to do though, the kitchen was the first room to be completely done.

Now I am going to concentrate on our bedroom and bathroom, both were completely functional so it's just the special finishing touches left.

I sighed happily as I put the last spice bottle in the rack...ahh perfect!

The insistent buzzer went of again, immediately annoying me!

 Argh...Now what!!!

When the previous owner, Aunty Fatima, had said to expect a few 'service providers', I had assumed she ment a Gardner or roof cleaner, I wasn't prepared for the crazy...

First was the mealie lady...she came that first Monday, pressing the intercom to tell me "your mealies GoGo"
"my mealies! Err no thanks!" niether Imraan nor I were very fond of mealies.

She pressed the buzzer again to say "aww GoGo, but you always take the mealies!"
I tried to explain to her over the intercom that I wasn't GoGo but I gave up...

I sent Elie to explain to her that the house had new owners and her mealies will no longer be required.

Elie was Aunty Fatimas maid, when we bought the house, aunty Fatima asked us if we wouldn't mind keeping her as she felt bad leaving her without a job, she had been with them for the past 10 years and was completely trustworthy.

I readily agreed, I didn't want to go looking for household help in a new town. Elie proved to be a gem, she knew her work and was efficient, unfortunately she wasn't very bright.

Last week a man pressed the buzzer, when I answered he said he was selling "mops, brooms and feather dusters" I sent Elie to get me a feather duster. When she came back she didn't have any change for me, when I asked her why, she said that the man kept the change because Aunty Fatima use to give him little extra...
...little extra???!!!!
 I had paid R100 for the R20 feather duster.
Oh well...

Last Saturday's buzzer business was by far the most bizarre. When I told Imraan about it he wouldn't  stop laughing!

The buzzer had sounded around midmorning, by then I knew better than to hurry for it. After it went off a few times I decided to get it. I pressed the botton saying "hello"
The reply came...."Chicken fat, bones, anything!"
Say what! I was so shocked, why would Aunty Fatima be buying those things from a house to house seller!

Elie saw my expression and said, " the mama comes to get chicken fat and bones from Madaam every week"
Ooooooh!
So I held down the button again and said, "sorry nothing!"
The buzzer sounded immediately!
" haibo madam! I come from so far!"

I honestly didn't have anything so I gave Elie some canned food and biscuits to give the mama and tell her that the owners had moved.
Shew...these buzzer people were really starting to bother me.

So that's why I was trying to ignore the buzzer today, I didn't want to deal with anymore bizarre stuff. I hoped the person would get the message and move on.

But it seemed this person was determined to finish the batteries maybe, the buzzer continued shrilly.

Elie!!!!, I called out.
"yes madam", she said
" Go see who that is and tell them to go away!", I said annoyed.

I heard Elie through the open kitchen window as she went towards the gate and called out, "Madam said GO AWAY!!!"

And the reply came, " Tell madam its her Mother-in-law!!!"



O.M.W...

Now what!!!!!

Part 44: Assumptions and Speculation...

Today when I got home from school, I found myself with nothing to do. I had no work for the next day nor was it my turn in the kitchen.
The house was kind off quiet too, everybody was off doing their own thing.

I flipped through channels and then decided to do some Facebook stalking...but I couldn't find the Ipad anywhere!

I hunted around abit in the usual places but it was nowhere to be seen...

Of course I immediately thought that Tumi or Thembi might have pinched it...after all, hadn't I used it just last night?

I distinctly remember playing games while imraan was at gym, I left it on the side table in sure...without logging off or switching it off, as usual.

Maybe one of them came into the room and saw the opportunity to take it?

Wait!wait! Wait!

I was jumping to conclusions...it was a terrible habit I must have picked up from my mother, every time something is misplaced, I immediately think it must have been stolen by the maid! I really need to stop making these false assumptions.

It was entirely possible Imraan could have put it somewhere...

I sent him a quick message asking if he knew where the Ipad was and then I heard Talha and Tariq so I went to chat to Sumaya.

When Imraan came home from work he was unusually quiet, not his usual jolly self. I asked him if he had a bad day at work but he just shrugged.

I guess his a bit overwhelmed with work...

At supper time I started to worry, i was  getting a weird vibe from Imraan...almost like he was upset with me! I couldn't understand why...

It definitely wasn't my imagination I decided after imraan ate in near silence, refusing to look at me, he didn't even ask me to pass him the bread that was right next to me, he asked Sumaya instead!

By the time we got to our room I was really worrying.

"Imraan...are you angry with me?", I asked quietly.

" here's the IPad you wanted!", Imraan said tossing the tablet onto the bed.

"oh, Oki...want to tell me what's wrong?", I asked.

" want to tell me who's zain?", Imraan shot back.

" what! Zain? I don't know!", I said confused.

I was so baffled by Imraan's behavior...

"Don't.lie.to.me.Fatima!", Imraan said through clenched teeth.

" I am NOT lying, why would I lie!", I replied, almost in tears.

Imraan grabbed the IPad from the bed and furiously started punching his finger at the screen...then he practically shoved it under my nose!

" THEN HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THIS!!!!", he yelled, close to tears himself.

The tears in my eyes made everything blurring, I had never seen Imraan so angry before and his behavior was frightening me...we have had fights obviously, but nothing like this...worse thing is, I didn't even know what we were fighting about!

I looked down into the screen, trying to see through my tears, it took me a minute to recognize the Facebook messaging app that was open, and another to make out the blurry writing...:

Zain Mohammed
Salaams
It was so nice to meet you the other day, 'a person like you is truly rare',as you said to me. Can't help but hope that our paths cross again sometime. Tc mwah
28 September , 19:08


OMW....!!!!!

Before I could register the message or even explain, Imraan started up again...

" is this why you were looking for the Ipad so frantically today? You didn't want me to see the message! You wanted to reply!"

Imraan was furious! And guess what...

I was furious too!

How dare he think that low of me!

But before I could even speak, a knock on the door interrupted us...

" Imraan Betha...is everything okay?"

Oh, here's the cherry on top... of course the whole damn house was ears wide open for this little fiasco...and MiL was leading the circus!

Part 43: dholl and yellow rice...

Friday evening with Ayesha was such a laugh! She had tons of tales about her new SiL that had us all in stitches!

Nothing brings guji women together quiet like gibbaat of other guji women...so while Ayesha had enough stories for many a novels...she also had a very attentive audience made up of MiL, Sumaya, Shireen and I.

Ayesha's youngest BiL had just married a month ago and his new bride had brought her own drama to the household.
Ayesha gleefully told us about the day her MiL had to rewash Every.Single.Thing in the kitchen...Everything!

"Everything!", exclaimed Shireen, " Why on earth!"

" Ay that Gori Bhen has a problem! She likes to wash dishes too much! How she washed everything that time we came for supper..Areh areh...then she put clean clean dishes in the dishwasher! Jaa-Jaa!", My MiL said.

Sumaya was nodding in agreement, while shireen and I looked at each other shocked!

"Wait...wait...it gets better!", Ayesha said,  trying to hold her laughter.

"when Suleman and Rizwaana came back from honeymoon, after supper we never let her help, nuwe dulhaan and everything...so as usual my MiL 'rinsed' all the supper dishes and loaded the dishwasher, she always puts it on after breakfast everyday.

Anyway, in the morning when I got the kitchen I set the table and made breakfast and lunch for Qasim and the boys.

After breakfast my MiL went to put the dirty 'rinshed' breakfast dishes in the washer but the dishwasher was empty!

Aye she was panicing!

Then Rizwaana told us she woke up early and emptied the dishwasher and packed all the clean dishes away!"

We all looked at Ayesha with our mouths hanging open as we put two and two together!

O.M.W!

Ayesha nodded laughing!

"Yup, she thoughed all the dirty dishes in there were already washed! That's how clean my MiL rinses them! So she packed it away...
My MiL almost fainted! She rewashed Every.Single.Thing in the kitchen...by HAND! Coz she didn't know where what went!", Ayesha ended in laughter...

Shoh...i almost felt sorry for her MiL, poor thing! And poor Rizwaana! She must have been mortified!

"wait wait! That's not all...have you ever eaten dholl and kitchri?", Ayesha asked us.

" eeew! No!", Sumaya said.

" Ayee...whats that?", Shireen asked.

" That's what I had for Jumuah lunch last Friday!", Ayesha said with a naughty smile.

" Jaa-Jaa!...ghandi waat!", MiL said, shaking her head at Ayesha.

"Last Friday my MiL told Rizwaana to cook, so Rizwaan decided to make dholl and rice, aloo fry, paapar, fried fish, sorji, salsa and she even went and broke mangos from the neighbours tree to make fresh methi pickle...", Ayesha explained.

"Sounds yummy!", I said.

" Yah, it was! She went through so much trouble...except she stressed herself out so much she put Urud(tumeric) in the rice!", Ayesha said in another fit of laughter.

" whaaaaat!!!", we all said together, laughing in disbelief!

"yup! She tried to rinse it out but it was too late and she couldn't  waste 4 cups of rice! Yes...she made enough yellow rice for 20 people!", Ayesha finished.

Shame, I was amused but I also felt sorry for this Rizwaana girl...being a new DiL is no easy thing...little boo-boos kinda freak you out.

For the rest of the evening Ayesha entertained us with all her stories...but the real gem of the day came from my MiL who said...

Drum roll please...

" at least my DiLs have ackaal (common sense)..."

Oh but she said it so off handedly we didn't even get a chance to bask in the glow of her backhanded compliment...

Part 41: End to the crazy, start of new beginnings

Yesterday, I woke up to a brightly lit room, as the events of the previous day came to mind, I shot up from bed..."hey sleepy head, how you feeling", Imraan spoke from the  desk in the corner of our room, he was typing on his laptop but he was still in PJs.

I looked at my bedside clock, 10:45, OMW!!! I was majorly late for work...!!!!

" I called us both in sick!" Imraan said, reading my mind again.

I looked at him shocked...Imraan never takes sick leave...a few hours off, yah...but a whole day?!

I couldn't seem to find my voice.

" you hungry ?", Imraan asked as he walked towards me, he bent to kiss me..."wash up and meet me in the kitchen", he smiled as he left.

I got out of bed wearily, in the bathroom I stared at myself in the mirror...after I washed up, I went to the kitchen, Imraan's was already sitting to eat

..i wanted to ask him about the helicopter when the twins walked in with Shireen...

Yusuf had a bouquet of red roses that he gave to me, " Thank you for finding us yesterday.", he said to me.

 I hugged him.

Yusair handed me a gift bag, " we sorry for being so naughty we won't do it again", he said...

" thank you Yusair", I said as I hugged him, I hope you and Yusuf are going to be good now...

Yusuf, Yusair , Imraan and Shireen were looking at me like I had two heads suddenly...

"what?" I asked confused.

" you can tell them apart now?", Shireen said amazed.

I started laughing...i didn't even realize that! "Guess you can't play tricks on me anymore", I told the two boys...

As we ate I finally managed to asked Imraan about the damn helicopter that MiL mentioned that night.

.."oh that, when we couldn't find you I phoned insurance to track your car, the tracker picked up that the car was on the freeway, slow moving...that didn't tell me if you were safe though, just that the car was moving...i knew I wouldn't be able to get to you in traffic by road so I requested that they send a helicopter to check on you, they didn't want too, some 24 hour wait period crap...so I paid them to send it , I wanted a clear confirmation that you were driving..."

What!!! Imraan's like a real stalker...his insane!

I just shook my head, un.be.live.able!

I was about to tell him that, when MiL walked in tears...Bilal was at her heels, ranting and raving...i didn't get the whole story, but it was obvious that MiL was being blamed for fiasco...she had given the twins the money, after all...

I knew Bilal won't let this go until somebody takes the blame...i wonder if he stopped to think about how he made it seem that they were kidnapped because of the shop...

Aye...

Today as we got ready for Jumuah, Imraan reminded me that we have two weeks to get ready to move into our new place, everything was finalized...

Oh wow!

We decided to just buy the basics to function and then do up each room and furnish as time goes...

Two weeks!

TWO weeks!!!!

OMW...i have soo much to do, better start making a list!

My ringing phone got me out of my mild panic attack...it was Muhammad, Nasreen's husband...

" as salaaau alikum Kala", came the cheerful voice.

" what Kala! I'm still young!", I laughed back...

" well you are a Kala to a masha'Allah baby boy..." Muhammad said

Waaaaat! Nasreen had her baby! OMW!!!

Nasreen and Muhammad had told everyone that they wished for a private birth experience and will call only after baby was born and they felt ready to share ...

" Nasreen gave birth yesterday afternoon, he is healthy and she's well, she says I can tell you to come visit"

" Yay! We'll be there after lunch, can't wait!"

I'm so thrilled...time for new beginnings...

Part 40: Home Sweet Home

It took forever to get out of the grid locked CBD at peak hour.

There were two accidents on the freeway on the way home and something major ws going on too...a helicopter was hovering over traffic and kept zoning in on my car it seemed...it kept the boys very entertained but was freaking me out.

On the way home I managed to get the full story out of Yusuf and Yusair, as scary as today was, I already knew that this would be a family tale we would tell for many years to come...

The boys told me they really wanted to go to the park but because mummy didn't want to take them they decided to take a bus like nazley and reyaan do.

Nazley and Reyaan are the children of a lady Shireen befriended at the park named Layla.

From the snippets I heard from MiL, she lived in Sydenham and came to the park in our area because the one near her wasn't safe. She was a 'coloured Muslim' so ofcorse MiL didn't approve of her.

"where did you get money for the bus fare?", I asked them.

"Dadi!", replied one in a sing song voice.

"she gave us R100!", said the other

"yah buses are expensive coz they so big."

The boys told me they that they were on the bus the 'whole day' and Yusuf needed to pee and the money man was asking them where they were jumping off and they kept saying park and he said no park...

"we got scared", Yusair told me

"so when we saw Mr price, we jumped off...coz mummy always takes us to Mr price", Yusuf said.

These two have no idea what kind of trouble they going to be in...ah the innocence's of youth...

When I finally pulled into our driveway, it was  close to 7pm, I was physically and mentally exhausted!

All the lights in the house were on, Imraan's car was already in the driveway, the police cars were still there, so was my mamagee's...

I knew I was in more trouble than either of the boys...i didn't think I had the energy left to deal with any of this now...

As soon as I parked the boys shot out off the car, running towards the house...shireen and Bilal where already outside waiting for them...even from inside the car, I could hear Shireens relief, I shook my head as she chided her two rascals...i slumped against the seat and closed my eyes'...

It wasn't even a second when my car door was flung open. I smelt him before I even saw him...i braced myself for his anger...

"baby I'm so glad you okay! I was so worried!", Imraan said.

Imraan's words almost broke my heart...i felt him gently tug my arm, I got out of the car and collapsed against my husband.

i hadn't even realized I was crying until Imraan wiped away my tears. He held me tight against him for a minute and then without a word he scooped me up and carried me into the house.

As soon as he set me down, my MiL started up, "Fatima! How could you do this, you know how worried we were! We thought something happen to you, you just went, no phone nothing...gandi jeewi...no answer we had for Imraan when he came home!

Becharo Imraan was so worried we couldn't find you and the twins! Imraan had to pay for that helicopter to come check on you! Waste of money!"...


What! Paid for a helicopter!

But before I could even ask, Imraan scooped me up again.

 " Fatima doesn't need to hear this, you'll should thank her for bring those two home safely...and I'd like to give an earful to the idiot who left two five year olds unattended that long!", Imraan said it calmly but sternly then he carried me all the way to the room.

He laid me on the bed as my mamagee knocked at the door...

"Fatima bethi! What you doing to an old man like me!"
Seeing him made me think of my parents! Oh-No! I hope nobody told them...i looked at Imraan but he seemed to read my mind..." I didn't phone your parents. I didn't want to worry them unnecessarily coz they so far, so I called uncle Doc instead.", Imraan said

..oh my husband is a rock star!

I relaxed against my pillows..." Go ahead Dr, give her few injection's or something for this little stunt of hers!", Imraan said...

" I'm just going to check your vitals and the babies heart beats", my mamagee laughed at the look of terror on my face...i HATE needles!!!!!

Imraan disappeared into the bathroom after my uncle confirmed that all seemed fine.

Once my uncle left, Imraan sent me in for a warm bath and had my favourite PJs out for me, I felt human again after that.

I was about to ask him about the helicopter again but a knock on the door stopped me short...

Imraan let Sumaya in with a tray of tea and a sandwich and biscuits.

I was suddenly famished!!!

i hadn't eaten since lunch!

i smiled at her gratefully as I ate and she quietly whispered that she was so glad I was okay and she left.

Once I was done, Imraan tucked me into bed like a small child and he held me close, I tried to talk but he ssshed me, "Tomorrow....now you sleep..."

 I couldn't argue...

I was okay, I was loved, I had an amazing husband, I was beyond tired...i was snoring before I even closed my eyes!

Part 38: Kidnapped!

Today I got home from work and once again there was nowhere for me to park!

The yard was jam-packed with cars. Bilal was home and so were his in laws it seemed...but that's not what had me worried...the two police vans parked haphazardly across the front yard is what me hurry inside!

What on earth was going on!

Imraan was in PMB today to sort out some stuff at the new office premises.

I rushed inside to find shireen hysterical!
Bilal was ranting and raving...
my MiL and Shireen's mother were crying...
Shiraans Dadi was sitting the couch reading Izaa jaa in some kind of a trance...

It didn't take much to figure out that the twins were the cause of all this, but where were they?

Its only when I heard Bilal shouting at the men in blue that , ' he was sure they were kidnapped because of the business', that when I really started panicking!

Kidnapped!

 The twins!

OMW!

 Yah Allah...i thought I was going to faint...why hadn't anybody phoned me!

Shireen was getting hysterical, she kept repeating "I should have taken them to the park...they wanted to go so badly! Then none of this would have happen"

I rushed to Shireen offering her a tight hug, saying every comforting thing I could think off.
"Don't worry, they won't harm them...just pay the ransom, whatever they ask for...if you don't have enough Imraan and I can try and help, anything just ask...i'll start a yaseen khatam right now..."

I held my poor SiL tightly as she wept copiously in my arms...over her shoulder I saw Sumaya beckon me into the kitchen.

I left shireen to continue the interview with the police and went to see what Sumaya had to say...i knew she would have the details that I can't ask anybody in the other room for...

I was right...

Sumaya immediately began by telling me that this little drama may not be a kidnapping...Shireen was looking for the two about 2 hours ago and after searching the entire house and yard she found no sign of them she started panicking...it all escalated into an alleged kidnapping once the police got here, there was no evidence...just assumption and drama...

Isn't that like the main theme of this house?

Still! Two little boys were missing...kidnapped or not, where were they?

before I could get my thoughts straight, Tumi came hurrying through the kitchen door shouting frantically...

"Madaam!!!madaam!!!", she called.

Seeing us she immediately asked for Shireen, we pointed towards the lounge, following her as she flew through the door way...

"Madam...Madaam!!!!", "Baas???", she tried to get Shireens attention, then Bilal's, they waved her off, my MiL shooed her away...

She came back towards us, Sumaya quickly asked her what was up.

" the other maids, some that sit on the road waiting for the children after school...they said they see the twins gebala the bus", Tumi said.


What!!!!!
The bus!....

No freaking way!!!!

I jumped to action.


(....to be continued...)

Part 35: Espresso for charity...

I still can't believe how happy this Fahmeeda was to see me yesterday!

 Who would have thought...

A few years ago, when I was still in school, Sabera and I volunteered for a fundraising tea garden for cancer...I asked to be a cashier, unfortunately on the day of the event they were short on waitresses' and asked me to be one!

Well, a group of highty thighty ladies had sat in my section, all the teachers were whispering about one lady who was Dr Mansoors 4th wife.

The group gave me a long order of specific teas and coffees and baked goods, thankfully, somebody more experienced put together the tray for me...their order totaled close to R500!

Half way through their tea they called me back to order one more Espresso, this time their was nobody to make it and I couldn't wait around forever so I had to make it myself, the only thing I knew about espresso was that it was served in a cute miniature mug so I made coffee just like I make for my father, extra milk, extra sugar...and served it in the small mini mug.

My word, what a fit this lady threw! She wanted a refund! So I took out my wallet and have her R14...she stared at it dumbstruck and then asked what's that for?
By now, almost everybody was watching us...without thinking I replied:, " this tea garden is for charity and charity doesn't give refunds, since you don't like your coffee and I made it, I'm returning your money"

I couldn't believe I had said that, but then I was glad I had...

Luckily, she just stood up gathered her stuff and left...it was only after she walked away that everybody realized the bill hadn't even been paid yet.

I still remember the look on the other ladies faces when they figured out they going to be paying for her share too.

I never expected to ever see her again...but there she was yesterday...as elegant and cool as ever, acting like we were long lost best friends.

I had been a bit nervous, I didn't know what to say or what she was going to say...

" I'm so sorry I have to rush off right now, Fatima please get my number from your MiL or I will get yours, we should meet for coffee or something... I could really use a girl like you on some of my projects.", She said warmly.

Once again, she had just gathered her things and left.

Soon as the door had closed behind her, my MiL and her Posey pounced on me,

"How do you know Fahmz?"

"Where do you know her from"

"why you never told me you know her all this time?"

I didn't know what to say or who to answer...i also didn't know if she was kidding me...coffee? With me? Why on earth!

I just shrugged, "she use to live in Sheppy before, small town and all that".

"Port Shepstone!", and then round two of the rapid fire questions began....

" was she married before?"

" I heard this is her 4th husband"

" what!"

" who was she married to before?"


While they dissected and speculated about her life I made a run for my bedroom.

when i told Imraan this silly story, he was so amused!

He said he had heard about the tuition program she runs for underprivileged children in a school in Shangweni.

"I think you made her into a good Samaritan that day...", Imraan said.

Yah right, as if I'm that influential. Maybe she had mistook me for somebody else...

Part 34: Lunch for the needy or the greedy?

Today when I got home from work there was nowhere for me to park, I had to park on the pavement outside!

 We have a carport that accommodates 6 cars plus a double garage!!

None of the cars parked in the bays were any I recognized except Sumaya's. At first I thought maybe something horrible had happened, then I remembered MiL was hosting her ladies committee meeting today...

I walked in to what sounded like the Victoria Street market...i almost walked back out! The kids at school make less noise than these 10 women.

Every month my MiLs community outreach group meets to plan their roster, this month its my MiLs turns to host the meeting...she has been stressing over the menu for weeks and had Sumaya and Shireen on a hop yesterday cooking and baking up a storm.

"Everything must be to the T, I don't want any ladies saying our lunch was like this and like that and last month was better!", I heard her drill my SiLs last night.

Sumaya was quiet annoyed that she had to make such variety for the tea table, just because last month the Drs wife had a 7-11 spread...7 lunch dishes and 11 tea things! My MiL, was not to be outdone...she was having a bakers dozen plus one spread...im not even kidding!

I just find it so ironical that a committee that meets to plan a lunch roster for the local school and clinic, places so much emphasis on the lunch they going to eat.

Every month my MiL tells us all the details of this get together...what she ate, what was made, who wore what, who said what...she returns home with weeks worth of gossip and tons of leftovers!

MiLs outreach group prepares lunch for underprivileged children at the local school, despite the nationwide government feeding scheme that has come into effect, the group still continues with their private one. So honourable, right?

 Each lady takes two days a month to make and deliver lunch to the school and two days a month to make and deliver sandwiches and tea to people waiting in the queues outside the local clinic, between them, this group ensures that fresh food is served everyday.

They meet monthly to plan the menu so that the same thing isn't served twice at the school or every week at the clinic.

My MiLs turn is the first two Tuesday's of the month for the school and the second two Tuesday's for the clinic...its no big deal for her, she only provides the ingredients, its Tumi and Thembi that get all the real sawaab.

But the meeting is a different story...my MiL had to be the hostess with the mostest today...
By the time I got home, all the organizing was done it seemed...the topic was now much more serious and engaging...gossip.

Who, what, where, how, when, why...nobody in the community was spared from slander and speculation I think!

The amount of dirty laundry being aired was frightening...if my FiL knew that the 5kg queen prawns in Kashmiri sauce was for this, he would have donated his money to another charity  I am sure.

I tried to sneak past to my room but MiL saw me and I had to do the parade, you know...kiss kiss, "no,no I'm Alhumdulliah, hehe, nice to meet you"

At least two ladies thought they knew me from somewhere so my whole family history had to come out...lucky for me, one lady was missing, so I only had to do the dance 8 times.

Finally, I had been right around the room, I was about to turn and make an excuse to leave when my MiLs 'arch enemy' returned from the loo...

I had heard so much kooch kooch about this lady from my MiL, she was the 3rd wife to some rich business man and she was very fancy and 'upper class', when it was her turn to host the meeting, they all looked forward to finally seeing her house, much to everybody's disappointment she took them out to lunch
! My MiL was quiet pissed off back then.

"Fahmeeda, have you met my daughter in law Fatima, Imraan's wife...she is a teacher!"

 I turned around and gasped...here was somebody I never thought I'd have to see ever again.


"YOU!!!!" we both said together...


My MiLs face suddenly changed to a look of fear...

"Come here!", Fahmz opened her arms wide...i never forgave myself for not taking your number!"

Say whaaaaaaat...

Part 33:Money Talks

Today after lunch I received a text from Imraan,
"slmz, in a rush, told mummy we moving, call you soon as I can. Love you"

OMW!!! He told his mother!!! What did she say!

I waited the rest of the day anxiously for Imraan to call, but by home time he still hadn't. I was too afraid to go home, I didn't know what to expect...

I tried calling him but his phone went straight to voicemail! since Imraan had accepted the promotion he is very busy. He tries to get alot done in business hours so he doesn't have to stay late or work over the weekends.

I tried to kill time hoping to get hold of him but I finally gave up and decided to brave going home, I couldn't afford to
 get stuck in traffic too. Plus it was my turn in the kitchen.

Once i got home, I was actually afraid to go inside...i tried to enter ever so quietly...

"Fatima Barbie, is that you....", my MiL asked.

Damn it, she had heard me...
But wait a minute she didn't sound mad! She sounded happy...

I went to the kitchen, still skeptical..,

"oh, there you are, I was getting so worried...you want some to eat? Something to drink?"

What was going on here? Did I read Imraan's message wrong? Maybe he said he was GOING to tell her...

"Imraan told me the good news, I'm so excited for you'll...Masha'Allah! Alhumdulliah..." my MiL said, blowing my theory out of the window.

OMW, She's so upset she had a nervous breakdown! I need to get her to a doctor...I'm panicking here.

"I am going to miss you so much, you know how I love you, like you my own daughter...but this is Imraan's rozi, he has to go, areh, shukaar Martizburg is not agaah agaah." my MiL carried on

I didn't know what to say or think...i was just looking at her dumbfounded.

"Go, go freshen up, I'm making a special supper to congratulate you'll.", my MiL hurried me out.

I came to our room in a daze.
Maybe she's acting nice, maybe she is going to poison us..or me tonight...


After our huge supper where MiL announced Imraan's promotion and our relocation to the family, I finally got a chance alone with Imraan to ask him how he broke the news to his mother because I am so surprised how well she took it.

"oh, I just told her how much I'll be earning...", Imraan winked at me.

OMW

"Not the whole amount ofcorse, that I only told you. I just gave her a figure about 30% less" Imraan continued.

Nevermind...im speechless...!!!

The shock and surprise on my face may take even longer to fade than the expression on Shireen's face when MiL congratulated us on the promotion and relocating.

But I feel so much better now and I'm so excited.

 Imraan and I talked about what we each want in the house we will buy, I hope the estate agent finds our dream home...we have less than a month to move!!

Part 31: You want my husband? Take his mother too!

I spoke to Sumaya today and I couldn't help myself but ask her what made her agree to letting Muhammad marry for the second time...
She said at first she was so upset and hurt she couldn't think straight, once she had calmed down she realized who Neelofah was. She called Muhammad and told him to meet her to talk.

Muhammad explained that he just felt sorry for Neelofah and how tough her life had been and by talking to her again, he somehow got caught up in her issues and he felt like he could make her life better. He wasn't in any relationship with her and only wanted to offer her marriage in hopes of gaining sawaab for marrying a widow.

When Sumaya asked him how he intended for this to work out, he said Neelofahs needs were simple, she just wanted a little flat and a small stipend every month.

Sumaya said that while taking to him she suddenly had a crazy idea...she felt sure of it at the time that she didn't even stop to think, she told her husband that she will give him permission to marry Neelofah on one condition...


Sumaya's condition was simple, she would move out into a flat, maintain the same allowance she has now and Neelofah must move into the main house...if Neelofah or him don't like the idea, then he can't marry her.

Sumaya knew Neelofah would never agree to that, unlike Muhammad Bhai, she could see that Neelofah was just looking for a soft target and playing on Muhammad's sympathy. His soft nature had made him the prime candidate.

When Muhammad phoned Neelofah with the conditions of their Nikkah, she went from sweet to sour in less than half a second...that's when the penny dropped for Muhammad Bhai. Sumaya said it was almost as if he woke up from a deep sleep.


Last night at supper, Muhammad wasn't announcing his Nikkah, he was announcing his pride at his wife's willing sacrifice and making a public apology to her for his error in judgment...ofcorse, MiL hadn't given him a chance to complete his announcement ...


Thank Allah Sumaya wasn't like most people who rush to demand a divorce in such circumstances...she used wit and tact to diffuse the situation...

However, I couldn't help but tease her...she would have saved herself alot of tears and pain if she just went straight to MiL...

She giggled with glee...

ah, atleast that drama is over...i have Nasreen's baby shower this weekend, I can't wait!

Sabera and Dilnaas are coming down this evening, we hosting it at dilnaas's family flat in Musgrave...

things are so much better between Dilnaas and I after I decided to treat her with the same understanding I expect, its influenced the way I relate to her and as our interactions changed it has impacted on her relationship with my mum and sister too...amazing!

Part 30: She can move in...

Nobody knew what to do after MiLs little performance. So we all just ate quickly and got up.

I sorted out the leftovers and went to room. Before I could even ask Imraan anything, he started explaining it to me.

'Neelofah', the girl Muhammad Bhai wanted to take as a second wife was an old school friend of his, once upon a time, Neelofahs mother and MiL were really good friends too.

When Muhammad and Neelofah were growing up, their mothers use to tease them about marrying each other. In high school, Neelofah got involved with the wrong crowd and her bad behavior was soon the talk of the town, naturally that made her all wrong for Muhammad Bhai and the teasing stopped.

Towards the end of their matric year Neelofah suddenly did another 360 again and went into full hijaab, she gave up her wayward ways and suddenly her mother was insistent on some kind of formalized relationship between Muhammad and Neelofah.

My MiL was hesitant but didn't want to offend her friend, finally, through the grapevine of mutual friends Muhammad and my MiL heard rumors that Neelofa was pregnant and her mother was already  announcing her engagement to Muhammad.

Naturally, my MiL was furious...she cut contact with Neelofahs mother and in the end Neelofah went back to her Non-Muslim boyfriend, after he reverted to Islam they married, news of their rocky marriage kept the gossip mongers busy for years.

Recently, Neelofah aperently pulled another 360, after the sudden death of her husband. she returned with two children to live with her mother and asked Muhammad for a job as a cashier.

In a violent fight that had made news headlines locally, Neelofah's 'husband' had been killed.

She had the good sense not to attend the company function after Eid but when my MiL had seen her name on the guest lust, she was livid that she even had a job in the store. Muhammad Bhai had just brushed it of saying he was doing her brother a favour.

all this left me to wonder why would Neelofah want to marry Muhammad and why would Muhammad want to marry Neelofah...

But right now, I'm stressing about how MiL is going to take the news that Imraan and I are moving out... I don't want any tumblers of water to come flying at me!

Imraan is not stressing, he got time for jokes!

imraan says, he'll suggest that Muhammad Bhai can give Neelofah our room!


MiL is just going to love this...

Part 29: Over my dead body...

This morning before Imraan went to work, I asked him why he had placed his office key in that envelope the other night...i had completely forgotten about that.

"oh you know how in movies the husband buys a house or car and gives the wife the key as a surprise...well I wanted to do something like that, except I wouldn't buy a house without you, I want us to choose it together...so I put my office key instead.", Imraan shrugged as if it now seemed so lame to him

I had to laugh...Imraan can be so whacki sometimes...

"there was a real estate leaflet in there too...have a look and see what you like, we can talk about it tonight, Il call the agent and ask her to line up a few places for us to see based on our preferences...we can drive up next weekend or something.", Imraan said.

"speak to mummy and daddy first.", I told him...i was still very nervous about that.

"don't worry about that...i know what I'm up against, remember...i lived on Rez for four years."

With a smile,he was gone for the day...

All my prep for Nasreen's baby shower was done, so after I showered and got dressed, I wondered what to do for the day...

There was a quiet knock on my room door, "Fatima are you here", Sumaya whispered.

I opened the door to,find Sumaya looking deathly ill...Sumaya, are you okay! Omw, you look sick.

On closer inspection she looked like she was horribly upset and had been crying all night!
Her eyes were filling with tears right now...
I pulled her into the room and closed the door, I offered her a seat on the kist at the foot of my bed, i poured her a glass of water and I took Tariq from her arms,I sat on the desk chair and waited as she tried to compose herself...after an eternity she spoke...

"Muhammad wants to take a second wife..." she whispered in tears.

I never saw anybody look so shattered before, she was falling to pieces and my heart just broke for her, I didn't understand and I didn't want to ask...it was obvious that her life was falling apart at this moment...i rolled my chair closer to her and placed my hand on her knee.

Seeing his mother upset, upset Tariq and he too started to cry, I tried to bounce him and soothe him but he wanted his mother. Sumaya just clutched him against her and cried, I didn't know what to do...

"I'm so sorry...so sorry to dump this on you...i had to tell somebody...you pregnant, I shouldn't have brought my problems to you...im sorry", she struggled to speak.

Sumaya was devastated, she obviously never saw this coming, quiet frankly, I can't imagine it from Muhammad Bhai either!

" don't be silly Sumaya, I just wish I knew what to say or do to make you feel better, I feel so helpless", I told her honestly.

" can you keep Tariq for a few hours for me please...i need to clear my head." she asked

" yes, yes ofcorse!, no problem" I said.

"thank you", she looked so sad, so broken...

I watched her as she explained to her one year old son that he must stay with Fati-mamee and play nicely and if he is a good boy then Fati mamee will let him play with the Ipad.

"No, no, no, no", Tariq insisted, he only said a few words, No seemed to be his favorite.

Sumaya left shortly after...3 hours later, she wasn't back, my MiL was looking for her, it was her turn to cook.

 I had my hands full trying to keep Tariq out of harm and making sure he did not cry for his mum, I also didn't know what to feed him, he had had Nido almost 2 hours ago because I knew were that was kept in the pantry, Sumaya hadn't left any instruction for me. I decided to wait a little longer, I'm sure she would be back soon.

Another 2hours passed and my MiL was getting very cross.

"where did she say she's going!", MiL demanded from me for the 50th time.

I honestly didn't know, I hadn't asked her, I thought she wanted a break for a hour or two...i was getting worried too now.

I asked Tariq what he wanted to eat and he said chick rice, I remembered seeing him eat chicken and rice sort of smashed together, last night. So I took out the left overs and warmed them and fed him.

I didn't know how to bath him so I went to the ironing room and found some clothes of his, in my room I just washed his hands and face, changed his nappy again and freshened him up with powder and dressed him.

 I tried calling Sumaya again but her phone was still off...i was so worried, I didn't know what to do...
should I phone Muhammad?
Or Imraan?
And tell him the whole story?
Maybe Sumaya will fetch Talha one time and come home then...

I dug out a story book from my school supplies and read for Tariq  when I was done, he crawled to the middle of my bed, pulled my throw over himself and fell asleep...he looked so cute and sweet...but an active one year old that wanted his mother was no easy task. I was exhausted!

My phone rang and I dove for it and answered without checking the caller identity, I didn't want it to wake Tariq.

It was Imraan..." Hi love, can you check where Sumaya is, Talha's school phoned, they can't reach Sumaya or Muhammed and nobody has picked up Talha yet...im the emergency person but I'm in the middle of a meeting right now, it would take me over an hour to get there with traffic...", Imraan said in a hurry

" baby she's not here, I'm trying her all day, she left in the morning she was very upset about erm...a fight she had with Muhammad and she is still not back.", I said

" what! That doesn't sound like Sumaya, you sure?", Imraan asked in disbelief

"yes, she left Tariq with me", I said

"okay, okay...can you manage to go fetch Talha? Il come home soon as this thing wraps up...im sure she's just stuck in traffic some where, her battery must have died.", Imraan said reasonably.

" okay, sure..."

I went looking for Tariq's car seat but then I realized it was probably in Sumaya's car!, luckily Tariq was up from his nap, so I got Tumi to come with me and hold him in the back seat...no the safest option, but better than nothing.

Talha seemed okay when I fetched him, he wanted to know where his mother was but he wasn't overly concerned, he told me excitedly about his day.

Sumayas car wasn't back when we got home, I took the boys in and sent Talha to change and wash up...now what do I feed him?

By 4pm Sumaya still wasn't back, both boys were over the novelty of being with me, they just wanted their mum.

 Tariq especially was getting very crabby now. I was so worried.

They cheered up abit once Imraan came home, but he soon got distracted by my livid MiL, she wanted Sumaya home, now and now!

She was demanding to know what was going on...poor Imraan, he didn't know,himself.

Finally Sumaya texted me...full of apologies she asked if Imraan had fetched Talha and if the boys were okay, she said,she would be home with Muhammad soon.

Sumaya and Muhammad came in one after the other shortly before supper, I hoped they managed to sort things out...the boys ran to her and she was trying to field off MiLs questions while seeing to them, I just backed off.

She didn't need to answer to me too.

At supper, Muhammad Bhai cleared his throat, nervously he asked for everybody's attention...
I glanced at Sumaya, she was looking down into her plate.

Muhammad Bhai cleared his throat again and said, " last night I asked Sumayas permission to take a second wife, she is a widow who lost her husband recently, she has two small children, we use to school together..."

The table was died silent...not even a breath could be heard...i felt cold...

"Sumaya was very upset, understandably, but today she gave me permission to make Nikkah to Neelofa..." Muhammad Bhai continued

I don't know what happen next...or how...one minute Muhammad bhai was talking, the next he was splattering and drenched in water,as the sound of breaking glass filled the dinning room...

MiLs chair scraped against the floor as she stood up...









"OVER MY DEAD BODY YOU WILL MARRY THAT GIRL!!!!!!!!!,she shouted!

Part 28: High Rollers

When Imraan got home from work yesterday, he had an envelope for me...
It was oddly heavy and had a lumpy, jingle to it...i was so puzzled.

I emptied it on to the bed...Imraan picked up a white folded document and handed it to me, "read this first.", he said.

There was also catalogue of sum sort and what looked like his office keys...i was so confused.

I unfolded the document to find that it was a copy of the contract. I'm not one for legal mumbo jumbo...i don't think I ever read the ''T's&C's" of anything before I sign or click accept...Imraan always reminds me about this, but as I always say... "I didn't marry a lawyer for nothing! ;)"

So a contract about law, for a lawyer, written by a firm of lawyers...yah, this was right up my alley, a light bedtime read...

I looked at my husband as if he was crazy...did he really think I was going to waste my grey matter on this!

He had a cheek to laugh at me...

"Okay okay, just skim it and see what jumps out at you", he said..."please TiMwaaahhh..."

How could I refuse when he asks so nicely...besides, I want to get this out of the way so I can see what the rest of the contents of this funny envelope is about!

I skimmed through each of the 50 pages but I just saw rows and rows of black and white, tons of jargon and nothing else...i looked at him defeated.

Imraan took the contract, flipped some pages and handed it back to me...i tried again, again nothing jumped out! This was worse than finding Nemo!

My husband sighed...he opened his brief case, dug out a highlighter and highlighted a few lines here and there.

I glanced threw  and finally saw the common word...oh-0...does this,mean what I think!

I looked up at him, "did you sign already?" I asked, terrified that he would say yes...

He shook his head, "Nope, I couldn't sign without talking to you first...this is going to change our life..."

I silently made Shukaar that I'm blessed with this husband who values me and a marriage based on mutual understanding and respect.

"This will change our lives too", Imraan said, highlighting another spot on a different page...

I glanced down at numerical value way to high to be a salary, I looked at Imraan...per annum?

He burst out laughing...

"Only somebody on a teachers pay would say that! No dear, that's the salary."

Waaaaaaat!

"But Imraan! Its to far, a 45minute commute one way, your long hours, then driving back...i won't see you, you won't see our babies...it won't be worth it! There is no price tag worth the torture love."

"commute?oh I don't plan on traveling to and from Pietermaritzburg everyday...i was thinking about relocating there..."

"Relocating!!!!!"

 Omw, I thought there was a thunderstorm coming...i didn't know that I would be the one caught without an umbrella....MiL is not going to like this idea at all.

Imraan was still talking, " things are kind of crowded around here and once our two come it would be even more so...we need our own place eventually, so why not now? Between us we have enough saved to make a down payment, so if you don't have a problem with relocating to PMB, I think we should say bismillah, and go for it..."

"Imraan of course I don't have a problem, this is huge for you and your career...i just don't know how your family would take it..." I tried to choose my words carefully.

"don't worry about my family, I'll deal with that love, I just want to know if it is something you would consider." Imraan said

He had no idea what he was in for, I thought...after seeing how Shireens 'thought' of moving a stones throw away was handled, I could only imagine how MiL would react to Imraan wanting to move to another town!

" I am more than okay with it love, I wanted to talk to you about leaving work when the babies come anyway, I just want to stay home and look after them for a few years you know...so this would just be little earlier than that...", I explained.

I honestly had no problem moving, I always liked PMB, my Gori Foi lived there, I had really good memories of childhood holidays there.

"oh so you want to be a kept women now, do you...", Imraan joked, pulling me close for a hug.

I sighed and relaxed in my husbands loving embrace...this was comfort, love, happiness...home could be anywhere- i would move to the moon...so long as we were together and happy, I thought.

"well...on that salary, you can afford to keep four wives!", I joked.

"just this one, is all I need"...came the heart melting reply.

Part 27: Chance of Thundershowers...

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.

Part 24:leopard print tights and ice blue eyes

I got there just in time, everybody was gathered in the front hallway, my FiL was standing at the doorway, remote in hand to jopen the driveway gate.

My MiL was not happy, she was adding to the noise pollution by saying aloud all the questions everybody else had too, no doubt.

"Zohra, nice to see you but you should have called", my FiL greeted his small sister, sarcastically.

Imraan's Choti Foi, Zohra, was the 'Black Sheep' of the family, I only met her twice in the year that I've been married, once for my wedding and again for a funeral.

She was a petite women with a flamboyant personality and a certain gruffness in her mannerisms that Surtis find to be so unbecoming of a women. Her hair was always kept in a stylish red bob and she always wore full make up. Her eyeballs seemed to large for her small face and slim features. She dressed in her own crazy way.

She had been shelved a spinster for years, living with Dadi until one day she announced that she was getting married. At age 45 she married Mogamet Ally Hernandez, a 55 year old widower she had met on MXIT from Cape Town.

 Nobody was thrilled but nobody tried to stop her. They knew better: Zohra does what Zohra wants.

They all comforted themselves that at least he was a successful plastic surgeon that drove a Ferrari as his everyday car and had a Bentley for weekend use.

Guji can overlook lack of Gujiness so long as status and money reign.

Zohra had caused another stir recently when she and Mogamet had announced that they were adopting two AIDS orphans.

I couldn't wait to see what this was all about, but I had a small clue...

"oh cut the crap, Haroon!", she said as she pushed past my FiL and into the house.

She was wearing leopard print tights and a black ruffled blouse that tied at her neck. What ever height she had lost in the gene pool was made up for with her pencil thin spiky red heels.

She got straight to the point...
"I'm here to fetch my mother!, Ma get your basics, you coming with me!"
Dadi started disagreeing, My MiL started protesting (weakly)...Zohra held up a hand...

"Ma please, your whole life is not here, just your sons are here...im sick of you being passed around one week here, two weeks there, from house to house without a home!

I spoke to Katie last night, she told me how you being treated, enough is enough...i took the first flight i could get, you coming to live with me!

Besides, Cape Town is beautiful."


Then Zohra looked directly at MiL and said, " Anybody who wants to see you, can pack their stale mootias as padkos and come visit you!"
Dadi looked shocked but not unhappy, she seemed relieved...
MiL rushed to help Dadi pack, Zohra told her to leave it...
"Il buy Ma what she needs.
 Ma only take what you want, the rest Kayroon can courier it to Cape Town for you, our flight leaves in 3hours."

Zohra's husband was waiting at the door, his tailored suit looked too fresh for somebody who just hopped of a plane, the ice blue shirt under, matched his eyes perfectly and the dark suit suited his pale complexion perfectly...

He offered Dadi his arm as she stepped out, lifting her one piece luggage.

Dadi turned to wave, "Kuda Hafez..." she almost whispered...

As Zohra was leaving she said to me,"don't forget to invite me for your baby shower!"
And just like that, they were gone...

shew! What a drama, we kinda all just stood dumbfounded for abit not knowing what to say...
my FiL rolled up his sleeves, shrugged and headed back to his room as the fajr azaan began softly in the background...

my MiL sulked away without a word...Shireen already had her phone in her hand and was typing fast, no doubt BBM texting her mother...

Muhammad Bhai quietly closed the front door, Imraan put his hand around me as we walked back to our room..."so when is this baby shower of yours?"...

OMW!!!baby shower! I had completely forgotten to organize one for Nasreen...her due date was looming...

Part 22: Mountains out of Molehills...

On Friday afternoon I had back to back lessons. I kept checking my phone for any calls or messages from Imraan. I was so worried...

finally, just after home time I got a text message from him to say he was still in the meeting and he would see me at home later.

Argh! How vague is that...but at least he sent something. No news is better than NO news...

I stopped at the supermarket on the way home to get some weekend junk food for us, at the magazine rack I couldn't decide between two different pregnancy magazines, I went between them for over 15mins, then I felt for ice cream so I left the magazines and went back to get a tub of my favourite frozen dessert.

Back at the magazine rack, I still couldn't make up my mind..suddenly my phone started ringing, I thought it would be Imraan.

"Hi baby...", I answered.
"Hi baby yourself!", came a giggle, it was Sumaya.
" sorry, sorry, I thought you Imraan.", I apologized wondering why Sumaya was calling me.
"no problem, its nice to be called baby, Muhammad never calls me that anymore", "Anyway, just a heads up, MiL is pacing here, she thinks you forgot about supper.", Sumaya said.
"Omw! Its my turn isn't... I completely forgot Sumaya!", I said in a panic...

What on earth was I going to do...

" I thought so...don't worry, we got your back, I took out chicken for you, you can make that saucy one, sharp sharp.", Sumaya said.
" Shew, thank you...il be home in 5...", I was so grateful.

I rushed home and made my famous 3 sauce chicken, Sumaya had made a salsas and Shireen set the table quickly while I toasted garlic breads. Between the three of us we had supper ready way ahead, much to my MiLs surprise.

I was so lucky to have their help, that's the upside to joint family living, I couldn't thank them enough!

Shireen was teasing me about having a pregnancy brain, a condition of forgetfulness that is very common in pregnancy, when MiL came in...when she saw the chicken dish, she had a fit...

"Fatima! How can you make that! You know Dadi is here, she only eats tarkaree...what is she going to eat now.."

Oh-0

"aye, nevermind nevermind, Il go find something for her", my MiL said.

At supper time, much to my surprise, Dadi was the first person to reach for the saucy chicken saying how,nice and tempting it looked...to which my MiL jumped in...

"Nay nay, Ma you don't eat all that, here I got Moothia for you.."

"Ma hando kaysaki, oh pasta ne hando kaai... dhooro sauce be", Dadi said as she served herself.

Later that night, I unintentionally overheard Dadi on the phone as I passed her room,
" Khatija Bhen, yah maarah waste booh agru che...thoo nee kaabar...Kayroon Gori mara wastai waahi waahi Mootia, freezer ma kaaro...kamkaanari ne kawanu mana kawaach.

Oh-0, dadi is complaining to her daughter that MiL is taking out food fit for the maids...this can't be good...

It wasn't good at all! Her little complain created enough drama over the weekend...

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.