The hardest days of my life filled my world with a permanent sadness.
I went from young bride, to young mother, to young widow...in the blink of an eye.
I was spared the identification of the mayyit as Imraan's family took care of such arrangements. I still can't believe I am in Iddaat.
I feel like it must just be a bad dream. One I will wake up from to see Imraan smiling at me like he was watching me sleep.
At night I reach for him and when I feel an empty space for a minute I think he must be in PMB...but only for a sleepy minute before reality rushes to the surface and I wake up screaming.
I could hear the whispers at the funeral, as people watched me weep. Some weeped with me but far more gossiped.
"Tragedy...poor thing...Joowan pooiri...whoo karai? Allah paak! "
People were baffled, confused, curious...
I was distraught.
The actual mayyit was a blurr, I felt like it was an out of body experience. The reality of it hit me as they lifted the janaaza to take it away. I don't remember much but I know that I was held back by mighty forces as I tried to break free. Every part of my being aches for my beloved husband. A part of me truly died the day Allah called him home.
My mind knows taqdeer and mauth.I know that none of us are ment live forever but you get married and dream of growing old. You don't think that life really is that short.
Your mind knows so much, but your heart feels none of it. My heart is a heavy stone, it bleeds and weeps. It is truly broken.
I cry every waking moment, when sleep does come, its no escape. I dream only of my Imraan and even in slumber my conscious mind intrudes and reminds me of the nightmare that is now my reality.
I wish I could just sleep undisturbed, forever. Coz when I sleep, I dream...and in my dreams, Imraan is alive. But, when reality dawns...i can't hold it together. Not even for my precious children.
Everybody keeps saying I need to be strong for them, but I can't. Looking at them breaks my heart. They are a reminder of everything we have lost.
Imraan's mother was hysterical after the mayyit. She blames me for his passing, I did nothing to change her mind.
They came today with a ton of paper work for me to sign. I barely read it as I penned away wherever Bilal asked me to. They said it was about the accident and car but I couldn't careless. I didn't want to think of any of it, I don't care about insurance or claims.. It won't change anything and won't bring my husband back. I definitely don't want to think of the accident.
Luqmaan was furious that they made me sign documentation, without him present. But, i really don't want to be bothered about any legal issues.
Right now mummy is taking care of the twins mostly. I just don't have the energy right now.
I just want to be left alone.
Showing posts with label accident. Show all posts
Showing posts with label accident. Show all posts
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Sunday, 4 January 2015
Part 64: The darkest day
My heart froze in fear for a second but then I breathed a sigh of relief as I recognized Luqmaans car.
"Hey Tima!", Sabera greeted me as she came in.
"Just need to grab my jacket, didn't pack it and the evenings at the beach get so cold!", she said.
I just hmmmed as I tried to crane my neck to try and see down the road. I was half glad to see Luqmaan and Sabera, being alone was giving me an eerie feeling that I couldn't shake! I wish Imraan would get her already.
Luqmaan sat quietly on the armrest and stared at the floor awkwardly. Shy or not, I was glad for his presence right now.
"Why don't you'll read Magrib here", I said to him, hoping to extend their stay at least until Imraan gets here.
Erm, I think we'll make it back to the hotel, no problem. , Luqmaan replied shyly.
I heard the sound of a car, I just hope this is Imraan now.
But as the car turned into our driveway, the flashing blue lights reflected off every wall and filled the house.
No! No no no! There must be a mistake, no....i felt my world literally fall apart at that moment!
Luqmaan had stood up and was already heading to the door, but he stopped and looked at me confused. I hadn't realized that I had shouted No! Out aloud. I couldn't explain...the knock on the door took his attention again.
I knew before they spoke...they didn't have to say a word. I couldn't breath...my throat was constricting.
"Good Evening Officers, can I help you?"Luqmaan greeted them so pleasantly.
They asked for me by full name...in that moment, my world changed forever.
The look in their eyes said it all..the pity...the sympathy. They didn't have to speak, I was shaking my head. I don't want to hear it!
"Im sorry ma'am...there has been an accident. Your husband...his gone ma'am. I am so sorry" one officer said.
I fell to the floor. Tears streamed down my face!
Luqmaan looked horrified. "There must be a mistake, sir!", he said angrily! " have you checked your facts before you brought such anguish!", he demanded...furious, unbelieving....not wanting to believe.
But I knew, I knew in my heart...it was the truth. "What happen?", I stammered.
"What's going on?", sabera said...she looked between the officers, her new husband and me on the floor.
" a drunk driver...wrong lane...head on.."
The officers were explaining but I couldn't listen. This had to be a dream...an awful nightmare. Where is my father? My,brother? Where's Ahmed! Where's Ahmed? He would fix this.
Ahmed and Imraan always fix everything.
Imraan, my Imraan.
I couldn't believe he was gone! Could it really be true? No no no...
I stood up like a crazy person...i rushed for my phone. The screen saver was a pic of a smiling Imraan sitting with the twins in hospital.
I hit call under his number and pressed the phone to my ears...
It just rang and rang and rang...
The officers and Luqmaan were just staring at me.
Sabera came to take the phone away from me just as the automatic voice said "the subscriber you trying to reach is unavailable at present..."
My blood ran cold...unavailable forever...
I was never going to hear his voice again...smell his scent...be comforted in his embrace!
I had two children to raise alone. Orphans! Two orphans...they will never know their father...or the part of their mother that died with him today.
But even as all these thoughts were running through my mind, still, a part of me couldn't believe it. Maybe there was a mistake.
"Ma'am...i think its best you come with us to identify the body, my colleagues already informed the other person on the ICE card."
ICE?
Oh! Incase of emergency!!! His father...Imraans father.
I couldn't think anymore, I couldn't breath... I just felt lost.
"Hey Tima!", Sabera greeted me as she came in.
"Just need to grab my jacket, didn't pack it and the evenings at the beach get so cold!", she said.
I just hmmmed as I tried to crane my neck to try and see down the road. I was half glad to see Luqmaan and Sabera, being alone was giving me an eerie feeling that I couldn't shake! I wish Imraan would get her already.
Luqmaan sat quietly on the armrest and stared at the floor awkwardly. Shy or not, I was glad for his presence right now.
"Why don't you'll read Magrib here", I said to him, hoping to extend their stay at least until Imraan gets here.
Erm, I think we'll make it back to the hotel, no problem. , Luqmaan replied shyly.
I heard the sound of a car, I just hope this is Imraan now.
But as the car turned into our driveway, the flashing blue lights reflected off every wall and filled the house.
No! No no no! There must be a mistake, no....i felt my world literally fall apart at that moment!
Luqmaan had stood up and was already heading to the door, but he stopped and looked at me confused. I hadn't realized that I had shouted No! Out aloud. I couldn't explain...the knock on the door took his attention again.
I knew before they spoke...they didn't have to say a word. I couldn't breath...my throat was constricting.
"Good Evening Officers, can I help you?"Luqmaan greeted them so pleasantly.
They asked for me by full name...in that moment, my world changed forever.
The look in their eyes said it all..the pity...the sympathy. They didn't have to speak, I was shaking my head. I don't want to hear it!
"Im sorry ma'am...there has been an accident. Your husband...his gone ma'am. I am so sorry" one officer said.
I fell to the floor. Tears streamed down my face!
Luqmaan looked horrified. "There must be a mistake, sir!", he said angrily! " have you checked your facts before you brought such anguish!", he demanded...furious, unbelieving....not wanting to believe.
But I knew, I knew in my heart...it was the truth. "What happen?", I stammered.
"What's going on?", sabera said...she looked between the officers, her new husband and me on the floor.
" a drunk driver...wrong lane...head on.."
The officers were explaining but I couldn't listen. This had to be a dream...an awful nightmare. Where is my father? My,brother? Where's Ahmed! Where's Ahmed? He would fix this.
Ahmed and Imraan always fix everything.
Imraan, my Imraan.
I couldn't believe he was gone! Could it really be true? No no no...
I stood up like a crazy person...i rushed for my phone. The screen saver was a pic of a smiling Imraan sitting with the twins in hospital.
I hit call under his number and pressed the phone to my ears...
It just rang and rang and rang...
The officers and Luqmaan were just staring at me.
Sabera came to take the phone away from me just as the automatic voice said "the subscriber you trying to reach is unavailable at present..."
My blood ran cold...unavailable forever...
I was never going to hear his voice again...smell his scent...be comforted in his embrace!
I had two children to raise alone. Orphans! Two orphans...they will never know their father...or the part of their mother that died with him today.
But even as all these thoughts were running through my mind, still, a part of me couldn't believe it. Maybe there was a mistake.
"Ma'am...i think its best you come with us to identify the body, my colleagues already informed the other person on the ICE card."
ICE?
Oh! Incase of emergency!!! His father...Imraans father.
I couldn't think anymore, I couldn't breath... I just felt lost.
Monday, 8 December 2014
Part 59: Sirens and Sleep
I felt like I was moving very fast, but not really moving. I felt like I couldn't move but I was inside something that was moving.
I could hear a distinctly familiar sound but it was far away. I could sense a busyness, an urgency.
I could smell a strange smell and fear almost.
Sense a tension.
I felt like I was in a bizarre dream. Not quite awake but not really asleep.
I could hear a voice, strange to my ears, at first it was just a hum but I forced myself to concentrate.
"I'm picking up a heart beat, fairly strong...just one but.", the voice was saying.
" no! No! There needs to be two!", another voice said desperately.
This voice I knew, even in my sleep...
Imraan, my Imraan. I wanted to reach for him. To see him. He would know what's happening, I wanted Imraan. But I couldn't follow, I couldn't find him. I was still moving, floating, inside something that was rushing.
" there has to be two! Please do something. Save my wife and babies. Please she's carrying twins!", Imraan was pleading, I could hear his pain, his fear, his tears...i wanted to hug him.
Twins...twins, he was talking about twins, his twins, our twins!! My eyes flew open, I tried to see...it was blurry.
" Tima! Tima! Oh baby, why why why! I shouldn't have left you, I came right back to get you." Imraan's voice again, but I couldn't see him. I squeezed mt eyes shut again. I tried to talk but I couldn't. I wanted to know what happened, I wanted to know about the babies. I couldn't concentrate. I felt myself falling asleep again...that sound, in the distance...the sound of an ambulance.
Somebody was being rushed to hospital...something horrible must have happened...
I fell back asleep.
I could hear a distinctly familiar sound but it was far away. I could sense a busyness, an urgency.
I could smell a strange smell and fear almost.
Sense a tension.
I felt like I was in a bizarre dream. Not quite awake but not really asleep.
I could hear a voice, strange to my ears, at first it was just a hum but I forced myself to concentrate.
"I'm picking up a heart beat, fairly strong...just one but.", the voice was saying.
" no! No! There needs to be two!", another voice said desperately.
This voice I knew, even in my sleep...
Imraan, my Imraan. I wanted to reach for him. To see him. He would know what's happening, I wanted Imraan. But I couldn't follow, I couldn't find him. I was still moving, floating, inside something that was rushing.
" there has to be two! Please do something. Save my wife and babies. Please she's carrying twins!", Imraan was pleading, I could hear his pain, his fear, his tears...i wanted to hug him.
Twins...twins, he was talking about twins, his twins, our twins!! My eyes flew open, I tried to see...it was blurry.
" Tima! Tima! Oh baby, why why why! I shouldn't have left you, I came right back to get you." Imraan's voice again, but I couldn't see him. I squeezed mt eyes shut again. I tried to talk but I couldn't. I wanted to know what happened, I wanted to know about the babies. I couldn't concentrate. I felt myself falling asleep again...that sound, in the distance...the sound of an ambulance.
Somebody was being rushed to hospital...something horrible must have happened...
I fell back asleep.
Saturday, 6 December 2014
Part 58: Stumble and fall
" Imraan!!!!", Ahmed hollered." help me get my father into the car, lets go!"
Imraan and Ahmed rushed to my father to the car to take him to the hospital. I just slid down to the floor, as I felt my throat constrict, I couldn't breath.
I watched as they carried him out and my mother hurried behind them with Sabera in tow but I couldn't move, I sat rooted in that spot as they speed out of the drive way. I closed my eyes and made silent dua after dua as I tried to control my racing heart, my frightened thoughts and my constricted lungs as tears streamed down my face. That's how Dadi found me, she rushed towards me.
"Fatima, Fatima! Whoo tahyoo?", she asked frantically.
she used all her strength to lift me up and help me to sit on the edge of the bed.
"bethi, what's wrong! Where is everybody? Is it the babies?" Dadi asked again, but I couldn't talk, I just kept shaking my head.
"Imraaaaaan!!!! SABERAAAAAAA!!!!GORIIIIII!!!", Dadi was screaming for people, where they back!, I tried to stand up.
It took me a second to realise that Dadi wasn't here when we found my father! She must have been upstairs, she had no idea what happen.
I tried to explain to her, but she was besides herself by now.
"Areh! Where is everybody! What's going on here!" she was saying, close to,tears herself.
I heard a car coming in to the drive. I stood up and looked out, it was Ahmed's car, but Imraan was driving. Omw! It was too soon for him to be back if the doctors were helping daddy... Unless it was too late!...No, no, I can't think like that.
I rushed to the door as Imraan parked and I flew down the veranda steps as I hurried towards him as Dadi shouted behind me, "Fatima! Fatima Barbie!!! Areh, nee dhoor!"
The last thing I remember was the look,of absolute horror on Imraan's face as I slipped on the pathway and lunged forward, I stumbled a few steps as I fell, face down, flat on the drive...
I just felt a stabbing pain radiate through me as everything went black...
Imraan and Ahmed rushed to my father to the car to take him to the hospital. I just slid down to the floor, as I felt my throat constrict, I couldn't breath.
I watched as they carried him out and my mother hurried behind them with Sabera in tow but I couldn't move, I sat rooted in that spot as they speed out of the drive way. I closed my eyes and made silent dua after dua as I tried to control my racing heart, my frightened thoughts and my constricted lungs as tears streamed down my face. That's how Dadi found me, she rushed towards me.
"Fatima, Fatima! Whoo tahyoo?", she asked frantically.
she used all her strength to lift me up and help me to sit on the edge of the bed.
"bethi, what's wrong! Where is everybody? Is it the babies?" Dadi asked again, but I couldn't talk, I just kept shaking my head.
"Imraaaaaan!!!! SABERAAAAAAA!!!!GORIIIIII!!!", Dadi was screaming for people, where they back!, I tried to stand up.
It took me a second to realise that Dadi wasn't here when we found my father! She must have been upstairs, she had no idea what happen.
I tried to explain to her, but she was besides herself by now.
"Areh! Where is everybody! What's going on here!" she was saying, close to,tears herself.
I heard a car coming in to the drive. I stood up and looked out, it was Ahmed's car, but Imraan was driving. Omw! It was too soon for him to be back if the doctors were helping daddy... Unless it was too late!...No, no, I can't think like that.
I rushed to the door as Imraan parked and I flew down the veranda steps as I hurried towards him as Dadi shouted behind me, "Fatima! Fatima Barbie!!! Areh, nee dhoor!"
The last thing I remember was the look,of absolute horror on Imraan's face as I slipped on the pathway and lunged forward, I stumbled a few steps as I fell, face down, flat on the drive...
I just felt a stabbing pain radiate through me as everything went black...
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
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:
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:
- what!whos Luqmaan.
- i also got hurt.
- thin, thin girl
- stomach
- vomiting
- baby
- quietly
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Part 12-Maru naam, Tahru kaam (your hard work, I take the credit)
Today at sehri Imraan and I were like love sick teenagers...we had a secret and it made us feel closer than ever.
After sehri nobody went back to sleep, there was tons to be done. Imraan warned me to take it easy and gave Sumaya instructions to watch me carefully because I was still 'not completely recovered."
Sumaya took over the mithai1 making for which I was grateful, my burfee was too hit-or-miss and I didn't want to 'hit a miss' and face MiL.
Shireen was still recovering from the 'shock' but said she wanted to make mini cakes and desserts.
My mother-in-law insisted that chevroo2 and the biryani3 was her forte every year and shouldn't be touched.
That left biscuit making for me...something I was very good at! I had a secret for making tons...
Dadi Ma presided over the kitchen, watching Sumaya and I...that left MiL free to torment Tumi and Thembi.
'Sula lapa, shiya la, Anza lo, boyica le inntor...' could only be heard from her lips...kitchen Zulu at its best.
Dadi entertained us as we worked with stories of the 'olden days' which made us laugh, baby Tariq was content in his playpen in the corner, I kept looking at him, wondering what my baby would be like...
As I pulled my last batch from the oven I remembered I hadn't bought serviettes and table decor for the lunch tables yet.
"Sumaya do you want to come with me to china mall?"
"oh no, Fatima I have so much still to do...i need to get everything ready for the chevroo and biryani for mummy still" she replied.
Whaaaaat
"Haa! Taru kaam-Inu naam "4, Dadi said crossly...
"wait wait Fatima, I'll come with you"...
Okay, now this was going to be interesting...
Surprisingly, Dadi was great company and didn't slow me down at all, we were done in record time and she had great taste. I actually really liked her!
As I was driving out of the mall parking, Dadi hit me for a six..." so you pregnant Fatima...when the batchoo going to come"
I slammed brakes so hard and fast without thinking...what kinda spooky intuition dose this women have!!!
Before I could reply, the car behind me rammed into us, causing us to jerk forward...
OMW...
I got out on shaky legs, Dadi was already busy with her phone...i felt dizzy...
I heard her say, " Imraan betha, its Dadi, you must come quick...Fatima and I had an accident at china mall..."
Oh! 0...
The driver of the other car, a Muslim man, was walking towards me, red in the face...
He was already screaming and swearing at me...
"you stupid young girls don't deserve cars!..who taught you to drive like this, you must be bought your license .."
"as salaamu alaikum, I'm Fatima...my husbands on his way, his a lawyer...I'd like to wait for him"
The man said, maaf maaf, you okay? And he went to sit in his car...
if My husband wasn't a lawyer, he would probably still be hurling abuse me...agh some
people!
I moved my car to the side and slumped back against the seat, Dadi put her hand on mine, she was reading Ayatul Kurse5...I closed my eyes and waited...i could only imagine the state Imraan was driving in...
Glossary
After sehri nobody went back to sleep, there was tons to be done. Imraan warned me to take it easy and gave Sumaya instructions to watch me carefully because I was still 'not completely recovered."
Sumaya took over the mithai1 making for which I was grateful, my burfee was too hit-or-miss and I didn't want to 'hit a miss' and face MiL.
Shireen was still recovering from the 'shock' but said she wanted to make mini cakes and desserts.
My mother-in-law insisted that chevroo2 and the biryani3 was her forte every year and shouldn't be touched.
That left biscuit making for me...something I was very good at! I had a secret for making tons...
Dadi Ma presided over the kitchen, watching Sumaya and I...that left MiL free to torment Tumi and Thembi.
'Sula lapa, shiya la, Anza lo, boyica le inntor...' could only be heard from her lips...kitchen Zulu at its best.
Dadi entertained us as we worked with stories of the 'olden days' which made us laugh, baby Tariq was content in his playpen in the corner, I kept looking at him, wondering what my baby would be like...
As I pulled my last batch from the oven I remembered I hadn't bought serviettes and table decor for the lunch tables yet.
"Sumaya do you want to come with me to china mall?"
"oh no, Fatima I have so much still to do...i need to get everything ready for the chevroo and biryani for mummy still" she replied.
Whaaaaat
"Haa! Taru kaam-Inu naam "4, Dadi said crossly...
"wait wait Fatima, I'll come with you"...
Okay, now this was going to be interesting...
Surprisingly, Dadi was great company and didn't slow me down at all, we were done in record time and she had great taste. I actually really liked her!
As I was driving out of the mall parking, Dadi hit me for a six..." so you pregnant Fatima...when the batchoo going to come"
I slammed brakes so hard and fast without thinking...what kinda spooky intuition dose this women have!!!
Before I could reply, the car behind me rammed into us, causing us to jerk forward...
OMW...
I got out on shaky legs, Dadi was already busy with her phone...i felt dizzy...
I heard her say, " Imraan betha, its Dadi, you must come quick...Fatima and I had an accident at china mall..."
Oh! 0...
The driver of the other car, a Muslim man, was walking towards me, red in the face...
He was already screaming and swearing at me...
"you stupid young girls don't deserve cars!..who taught you to drive like this, you must be bought your license .."
"as salaamu alaikum, I'm Fatima...my husbands on his way, his a lawyer...I'd like to wait for him"
The man said, maaf maaf, you okay? And he went to sit in his car...
if My husband wasn't a lawyer, he would probably still be hurling abuse me...agh some
people!
I moved my car to the side and slumped back against the seat, Dadi put her hand on mine, she was reading Ayatul Kurse5...I closed my eyes and waited...i could only imagine the state Imraan was driving in...
Glossary
- indian sweetmeats
- spicy cerel and nuts snack
- rice and lentil dish
- her name, your hard work
- prayer of protection
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