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.
Showing posts with label proposal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label proposal. Show all posts
Monday, 24 November 2014
Saturday, 22 November 2014
Part 55: wedding bells
The trip to Port Shepstone was uneventful. I remember the last trip we made after Ramadaan back when we just found out we were pregnant.
Sabera looked absolutely stunning for her meeting with Luqmaan. She wore a simple but lovely knee-length top with jeans and her scarf and shoes just tied the outfit together. She looked stunning but no different from the way she dresses usually. I was so glad she didn't try to make herself into something she isn't.
Luqmaan wore jeans and a shirt tucked in, in a very smart casual look that suited him perfectly. I could already think of him as a 'brother', he looked very intimidated when he created Ahmed which was funny because Luqmaan was a year older than Ahmed, but Ahmed had that effect on people.
I couldn't help but notice that Luqmaan was wearing a shirt that was the exact shade of grey that Sabera loves, her room curtains were the very same colour. I wonder if it was a coincidence or he panned that.
My mother went all out for the visit and made a million little eats for them. I felt very privileged that even though I was technically from the "boys side", it was my parents home so nobody raised eyebrows when I heaped my plate multiple times and whacked lashings of chutney's.
Dadi kept saying, "kaah...kaah..." and eat I did!
When Sabera and Luqmaan came back from their brief chat, they looked like deer and doe caught in headlights. My heart went all melty...
This looked like a done deal but ofcorse Luqmaan left with a question he would have to wait for the answer too.
As soon as they left, Ahmed, Imraan and I turned to torment Sabera but she was way smarter than that...she rushed of to her room saying she had istikara to make.
Imraan and I had decided that we would spend the rest of the weekend with my parents. So I am totally looking forward to full share of spoiling. Ofcorse I am suddenly feeling for everything.
Sabera looked absolutely stunning for her meeting with Luqmaan. She wore a simple but lovely knee-length top with jeans and her scarf and shoes just tied the outfit together. She looked stunning but no different from the way she dresses usually. I was so glad she didn't try to make herself into something she isn't.
Luqmaan wore jeans and a shirt tucked in, in a very smart casual look that suited him perfectly. I could already think of him as a 'brother', he looked very intimidated when he created Ahmed which was funny because Luqmaan was a year older than Ahmed, but Ahmed had that effect on people.
I couldn't help but notice that Luqmaan was wearing a shirt that was the exact shade of grey that Sabera loves, her room curtains were the very same colour. I wonder if it was a coincidence or he panned that.
My mother went all out for the visit and made a million little eats for them. I felt very privileged that even though I was technically from the "boys side", it was my parents home so nobody raised eyebrows when I heaped my plate multiple times and whacked lashings of chutney's.
Dadi kept saying, "kaah...kaah..." and eat I did!
When Sabera and Luqmaan came back from their brief chat, they looked like deer and doe caught in headlights. My heart went all melty...
This looked like a done deal but ofcorse Luqmaan left with a question he would have to wait for the answer too.
As soon as they left, Ahmed, Imraan and I turned to torment Sabera but she was way smarter than that...she rushed of to her room saying she had istikara to make.
Imraan and I had decided that we would spend the rest of the weekend with my parents. So I am totally looking forward to full share of spoiling. Ofcorse I am suddenly feeling for everything.
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Part 54: Imraan makes a proposal
My family's visit was so good. I went out of my way to prepare for them but ofcorse my mother and Dadi came with a wagon worth of prepared meals to stock my freezer and fridge.
"now my wife won't cook for me for months!", Imraan said when he saw the loot.
"I'm surprised she cooks at all!", Sabera chimed in.
"Oh, we'll see what kind of a housewife you make!", I shot back at her
"I will be a kept women", Sabera sighed, pretending to study her manicure..." Besides, Dadi said she'll come once a week to cook for me!"
"Ja-Ja, tharu maathu!", Dadi retorted, eyeballing Sabera with disapproval.
My mother just shook her head at us as she helped me tidy up after lunch.
I made tea for us and then the four of us sat down for panchaat as my father went of with Imraan to inspect something in the garden.
I could see why my mother was so concerned about my Dad, he really looked tired and drained out. My mamagee had scheduled him for an ECG and a check up with a physician. My father was playing delay tactics.
As we sat and chatted about this and that, various members of the family and the latest in Muslim fashion, my father and Imraan came back in...both of them had a strange look on their faces.
We all looked at them waiting for them to speak...my father sat down and cleared his throat ... Then he stirred the cup of tea my mother had poured for him. The tension was thick.
I couldn't begin to imagine what was so serious but I had a small clue from the way Imraan kept glancing at Sabera.
Finally my father spoke.
"Imraan has made a proposal of sorts...", he said gravely.
What! My mother, Sabera and Dadi looked at him so confused.
I giggled at my fathers choice of words.
Imraan had mentioned to me that his friend Luqmaan had been asking about Sabera recently, ever since he saw her a few months ago when he bumped into us the weekend of Nasreen's baby shower.
Sabera too, had confided in me that he had invited her on Facebook as a friend.
My father explained to the three that Imraan had asked if it is okay for Luqmaan and his dad to come up to Port Shepstone to see Sabera.
Since Luqmaans mum had past away not to long ago and his brother lived in Johannesburg, Imraan and I would accompany them.
Even though Sabera had seemed chilled about the Facebook invite, I wasn't sure how she would react to the proposal. However, one look at her face said it all...she was red red red like a tomato...not from anger though! My sister was blushing!!!!!
I smiled across at Imraan as Sabera nodded her head at my father, telling him its okay for Luqmaan to come home.
My father smiled as my mother hugged her, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.
We all kind of had a feeling that " this was it" for Sabera. It was a bitter sweet moment.
"now my wife won't cook for me for months!", Imraan said when he saw the loot.
"I'm surprised she cooks at all!", Sabera chimed in.
"Oh, we'll see what kind of a housewife you make!", I shot back at her
"I will be a kept women", Sabera sighed, pretending to study her manicure..." Besides, Dadi said she'll come once a week to cook for me!"
"Ja-Ja, tharu maathu!", Dadi retorted, eyeballing Sabera with disapproval.
My mother just shook her head at us as she helped me tidy up after lunch.
I made tea for us and then the four of us sat down for panchaat as my father went of with Imraan to inspect something in the garden.
I could see why my mother was so concerned about my Dad, he really looked tired and drained out. My mamagee had scheduled him for an ECG and a check up with a physician. My father was playing delay tactics.
As we sat and chatted about this and that, various members of the family and the latest in Muslim fashion, my father and Imraan came back in...both of them had a strange look on their faces.
We all looked at them waiting for them to speak...my father sat down and cleared his throat ... Then he stirred the cup of tea my mother had poured for him. The tension was thick.
I couldn't begin to imagine what was so serious but I had a small clue from the way Imraan kept glancing at Sabera.
Finally my father spoke.
"Imraan has made a proposal of sorts...", he said gravely.
What! My mother, Sabera and Dadi looked at him so confused.
I giggled at my fathers choice of words.
Imraan had mentioned to me that his friend Luqmaan had been asking about Sabera recently, ever since he saw her a few months ago when he bumped into us the weekend of Nasreen's baby shower.
Sabera too, had confided in me that he had invited her on Facebook as a friend.
My father explained to the three that Imraan had asked if it is okay for Luqmaan and his dad to come up to Port Shepstone to see Sabera.
Since Luqmaans mum had past away not to long ago and his brother lived in Johannesburg, Imraan and I would accompany them.
Even though Sabera had seemed chilled about the Facebook invite, I wasn't sure how she would react to the proposal. However, one look at her face said it all...she was red red red like a tomato...not from anger though! My sister was blushing!!!!!
I smiled across at Imraan as Sabera nodded her head at my father, telling him its okay for Luqmaan to come home.
My father smiled as my mother hugged her, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.
We all kind of had a feeling that " this was it" for Sabera. It was a bitter sweet moment.
Monday, 17 November 2014
Part 53: Dodged a bullet...
After I calmed down on Saturday night, we managed to have a beautiful date under the stars.
Imraan and I spoke about everything and life has more or less settled down into a happy routine.
Now that Imraan isn't working crazy hours, we can spend more time together and enjoy the last few months of our pregnancy. I can't believe that in 2 months we will be a family if four!
I changed my hospital booking to a hospital here to make life easier for us.
We spent yesterday exploring midmar dam and even took a short drive to the quaint little town of Nottingham Road. Imraan has booked us a weekend away at Midlands saddle and trout that I am really looking forward to.
But before that, we will be hosting my family and ofcorse there is that proposal ambush my mother has planned for Sabera. I don't think my mother is very good at deception though, because Sabera called me today, in a panic.
"Fatima! You have to help me stop mummy from inviting those people from coming to see me!!!", she practically yelled into the phone.
I didn't even get to ask her how she found out about it because she was off on another tangent.
"You remember my friend Serisha?...", Sabera asked.
"-yes! The one that's engaged to a Muslim boy?", I replied...remembering Sabera's pretty friend who came home for iftaar every night one Ramadaan, a scarf neatly perched on her head. She had explained that she had met a Muslim boy and they were going to get married , so she was practicing from now. That was years ago...what did she have to do with any of this!
" well yes! She's pregnant...-", Sabera said.
" oh wow, that's great, how far along is she? You didn't tell me she got married, did she marry the same guy?..", I said excitedly.
" she didn't! Fatima pay attention!!", Sabera said, impatiently.
"She didn't marry him, he never even introduced her to his family...he just kept promising that soon has his finished with his studies. She believed him because he was doing hifiz etc. Then she fell pregnant and when she told him he got very angry and said she was trying to trap him and he never wanted to see her again!", Sabera said in a rush.
Omw...i was shocked! Why was Sabera telling me all this but.
"Fatima, this is the same guy mummy wants me to meet.", Sabera finished with a sigh.
" Whaaaaaaaaaat!", I gasped, horrified.
Shoh! No wonder Sabera was so against it. The cheek of this boy, to string along a sweet girl, promising her the world and using her...and then dropping her to save your own reputation. No regard for her, her future and the child you fathered....and then, find a nice innocent girl to marry, who is non the wiser of your past! The story made me sick!
I told Sabera not to worry, I would sort it out. Later I called my mother and told her Imraan and I weren't willing to host these people because we have heard some very unflattering things. My mother sounded very annoyed over my vague excuse but since it is our home, she couldn't push it. She did start stressing over what to tell the family so I suggested that she let Gori Foi, as the go between, to deal with it.
My mother called me back very late last night to tell me that a friend of hers was visiting and she confided in her about the dilemma over the proposal...some how, tue story about Serisha had reached this lady's ears and my mother was both shocked and grateful that we had managed to call off the meeting.
Dodged a bullet there...
Imraan and I spoke about everything and life has more or less settled down into a happy routine.
Now that Imraan isn't working crazy hours, we can spend more time together and enjoy the last few months of our pregnancy. I can't believe that in 2 months we will be a family if four!
I changed my hospital booking to a hospital here to make life easier for us.
We spent yesterday exploring midmar dam and even took a short drive to the quaint little town of Nottingham Road. Imraan has booked us a weekend away at Midlands saddle and trout that I am really looking forward to.
But before that, we will be hosting my family and ofcorse there is that proposal ambush my mother has planned for Sabera. I don't think my mother is very good at deception though, because Sabera called me today, in a panic.
"Fatima! You have to help me stop mummy from inviting those people from coming to see me!!!", she practically yelled into the phone.
I didn't even get to ask her how she found out about it because she was off on another tangent.
"You remember my friend Serisha?...", Sabera asked.
"-yes! The one that's engaged to a Muslim boy?", I replied...remembering Sabera's pretty friend who came home for iftaar every night one Ramadaan, a scarf neatly perched on her head. She had explained that she had met a Muslim boy and they were going to get married , so she was practicing from now. That was years ago...what did she have to do with any of this!
" well yes! She's pregnant...-", Sabera said.
" oh wow, that's great, how far along is she? You didn't tell me she got married, did she marry the same guy?..", I said excitedly.
" she didn't! Fatima pay attention!!", Sabera said, impatiently.
"She didn't marry him, he never even introduced her to his family...he just kept promising that soon has his finished with his studies. She believed him because he was doing hifiz etc. Then she fell pregnant and when she told him he got very angry and said she was trying to trap him and he never wanted to see her again!", Sabera said in a rush.
Omw...i was shocked! Why was Sabera telling me all this but.
"Fatima, this is the same guy mummy wants me to meet.", Sabera finished with a sigh.
" Whaaaaaaaaaat!", I gasped, horrified.
Shoh! No wonder Sabera was so against it. The cheek of this boy, to string along a sweet girl, promising her the world and using her...and then dropping her to save your own reputation. No regard for her, her future and the child you fathered....and then, find a nice innocent girl to marry, who is non the wiser of your past! The story made me sick!
I told Sabera not to worry, I would sort it out. Later I called my mother and told her Imraan and I weren't willing to host these people because we have heard some very unflattering things. My mother sounded very annoyed over my vague excuse but since it is our home, she couldn't push it. She did start stressing over what to tell the family so I suggested that she let Gori Foi, as the go between, to deal with it.
My mother called me back very late last night to tell me that a friend of hers was visiting and she confided in her about the dilemma over the proposal...some how, tue story about Serisha had reached this lady's ears and my mother was both shocked and grateful that we had managed to call off the meeting.
Dodged a bullet there...
Monday, 4 August 2014
Flash Back Mini Series-Part 2 : Still Reminiscing...
I never expected him to reply immediately , it was passed midnight already, so I just browsed my news feed and got ready for bed.
Just before I switched my phone off, my messenger alert beeped, we got talking and I ended up telling him the entire Nas&Mo drama that night. we talked about his job, my studies, our families...we just kind of clicked. I don't know how but it was soon fajr, so I just logged off.
Over the next few weeks Imraan and I chatted quiet frequently, in my heart I knew it was wrong but I couldn't pull away. Sometimes Imraan spoke of marriage and proposing but I didn't know what to make of it. he had a great sense of humour which I enjoyed but it also made it hard for me to see if he was joking or serious about some things so I just brushed those subjects off. My time in Durban was also coming to an end.
On the second last day at school the principal called me in and offered me a job for the following year, once I qualified. I was stunned, but I had no plans to move to Durban permanently, I thanked her profusely and she told me to think about it and give her an answer by mid year.
When I went back to the staffroom there was a velvet gift box placed at my usual spot, I thought it was for somebody else but the card on the single rose, said 'Fatima'.
I hesitated then open it. Inside was a folded page, I lifted it out and opened it. My heart did a flip-flop.
It was a Nikkah Details form from the Marburg musjid in Port Shepstone, the field for Brides name was filled in neatly with my details. The rest of the form was completely empty.
Under the page was a silver Parker pen, crystal incusted, a diamond ring was pushed into the pen clip...it was beautiful.
I sat down and wondered what to do...after a long while, I picked up the pen, and filled in just two fields...
Then, I replaced everything exactly how I had found it, put it into a large envelope which I labelled as Imraan and went in search of Talha, I told him to tell me when his mummy comes to fetch him.
When I saw Sumaya at home-time I wordlessly handed it to her. Then I put my phone off for the rest of the day.
I went home and baked a ton of cupcakes to give all the kids,tomorrow was my last day!
The Sunday after my teaching practice had ended my parents drove down to fetch me, as soon as I saw them I knew something was up! My mother had a jumpy look in her eyes and my father refused to meet my eye.
Nani must have noticed it too, coz she kept asking if everything was okay. They were kind of quiet. It made me feel nervous and afraid.
I said a tearful goodbye to Nani, it was so sad to leave after spending the entire month with her. I would be back soon enough though, Nasreen had set the date for her wedding for before Ramadaan and I wanted to come back and help her closer to the date.
The drive home was strange, my parents remained a little quiet. I hadn't had contact with Imraan since I sent his gift back, so I didn't know if he had anything to do with their mood, the quietness and gentle drive soon lulled me to sleep. I awoke when we where almost home.
At home I went to my room after one month, I realized I had missed it. Fatima!!! My father called, my heart jumped...I knew this was it! Time to face the music, I took deep breath and went to speak to my parents...
Just before I switched my phone off, my messenger alert beeped, we got talking and I ended up telling him the entire Nas&Mo drama that night. we talked about his job, my studies, our families...we just kind of clicked. I don't know how but it was soon fajr, so I just logged off.
Over the next few weeks Imraan and I chatted quiet frequently, in my heart I knew it was wrong but I couldn't pull away. Sometimes Imraan spoke of marriage and proposing but I didn't know what to make of it. he had a great sense of humour which I enjoyed but it also made it hard for me to see if he was joking or serious about some things so I just brushed those subjects off. My time in Durban was also coming to an end.
On the second last day at school the principal called me in and offered me a job for the following year, once I qualified. I was stunned, but I had no plans to move to Durban permanently, I thanked her profusely and she told me to think about it and give her an answer by mid year.
When I went back to the staffroom there was a velvet gift box placed at my usual spot, I thought it was for somebody else but the card on the single rose, said 'Fatima'.
I hesitated then open it. Inside was a folded page, I lifted it out and opened it. My heart did a flip-flop.
It was a Nikkah Details form from the Marburg musjid in Port Shepstone, the field for Brides name was filled in neatly with my details. The rest of the form was completely empty.
Under the page was a silver Parker pen, crystal incusted, a diamond ring was pushed into the pen clip...it was beautiful.
I sat down and wondered what to do...after a long while, I picked up the pen, and filled in just two fields...
Then, I replaced everything exactly how I had found it, put it into a large envelope which I labelled as Imraan and went in search of Talha, I told him to tell me when his mummy comes to fetch him.
When I saw Sumaya at home-time I wordlessly handed it to her. Then I put my phone off for the rest of the day.
I went home and baked a ton of cupcakes to give all the kids,tomorrow was my last day!
The Sunday after my teaching practice had ended my parents drove down to fetch me, as soon as I saw them I knew something was up! My mother had a jumpy look in her eyes and my father refused to meet my eye.
Nani must have noticed it too, coz she kept asking if everything was okay. They were kind of quiet. It made me feel nervous and afraid.
I said a tearful goodbye to Nani, it was so sad to leave after spending the entire month with her. I would be back soon enough though, Nasreen had set the date for her wedding for before Ramadaan and I wanted to come back and help her closer to the date.
The drive home was strange, my parents remained a little quiet. I hadn't had contact with Imraan since I sent his gift back, so I didn't know if he had anything to do with their mood, the quietness and gentle drive soon lulled me to sleep. I awoke when we where almost home.
At home I went to my room after one month, I realized I had missed it. Fatima!!! My father called, my heart jumped...I knew this was it! Time to face the music, I took deep breath and went to speak to my parents...
Thursday, 24 July 2014
Part 9- Family scandales and skeletons
I was seriously getting home-sick now... I missed my parents and sister and I had the most intense craving for the Chicken Tikkah pizza that one of the local food outlets in my hometown makes.
I must talk to Imraan about going to Port Shepstone after Eid, it was long overdue and quite frankly we could do with a sea-side break.
Most Guji DiLs go home for their first Ramadaan, at very least for a few weeks, but Imraan's family was paranoid and I didn't want to drag up any old ghost, especially after I noticed that Sumaya too, doesn't go home for Ramadaan. She did go for a week before though, brought back lovely savouries from her mum and nice things from a butchery in laudium.
Before I got married, Imraan told me about Bilal's first wife Farzana, she went home for her first Ramadaan and then decided she's not coming back. Nothing Bilal or my in-laws said would change her mind.
I also heard that sumaya and farzana got along really well, like sisters almost, so when the trouble started, Bilal accused Sumaya of causing some if it. (that may explain why Sumaya has taken so long to start warming to me.)
After a long drawn out dispute and trying to make it work living apart, Bilal and Farzana eventually decided to divorce. Much to my MiLs horror! She couldn't stand the tainted reputation and whispers, I'm sure.
Shortly after the talaaq, Bilal married Shiraan in a small Nikkah and backyard walima, nine months later...out popped the twins.
Shireen is my MiLs sisters daughter, at the time she was fending off a stigma of her own...the community was buzzing over her broken engagement after her fiancé called it off to make secret nikkah to the 'madragee' secretary from his office. Shireens mother was in a panic, Shireen was already 25 at the time and Imraan's Kala didn't want her daughter to be sitting on the shelf.
The two unfortunate situations made Bilal and Shireen a perfect match in every bodies eyes and my MiL had always had a soft spot for Shiraan because she and Bilal had been born a week apart, their mothers had confinement together. It was ment to be for then, apparently...(to bad they don't act 'ment to be,now')
Wait, wait...i stopped my self, backspace that thought...never judge anybody's relationship no matter how it looks from the outside, least you be wrong, worse if a similar situation should befall you, too.
Not like I didn't have my own fair share of time in the rumour spot light...when I met Imraan, Nasreen had just gotten engaged and rumours were flying around that I was jealous and trying to break off her engagement, after all, she's 6 months younger than me and getting married first. The rumours almost ruined our friendship, but good thing Nasreens so level-headed.
More than a year ago, when Nasreen heard that a boy from Port Shepstone was coming to see her, she immediately phoned to ask me if his name was familiar, I told her I had had a classmate by the same name, if it was the same boy, we were sort of friends in school and he was very nice, super intelligent too and cute! But I wasn't sure, I hadn't seen this boy in ages. Nasreen didn't mind, she was glad to have a positive vibe because this prospect did sound promising.
Things worked out for Nasreen... Muhammad was a "hunky, quantity surveyor" who grew up in Port Shepstone but studied, worked and lived in Durban. Nasreen never wanted to be a live-in DiL so for her, that was a real plus. The fact that Muhammad's parents lived almost an hour away, didnt hurt his rating either. She really makes me laugh.
At her engagement I immediately recognized Muhammad as the same one I had meant now with a designer beard.
When I went to congratulate the shy couple, Muhammad recognized me and the three of us fell into easy conversation, I think Nas&Mo were kind of glad to have a mutual buffer. Ofcorse the gossip mongers' watched on, eyes wide open...
The very next day the damaal started. I was accused of jealousy, conceit, lies etc it was very stressful because my relationship with Nas was on the line as well as her engagement.
Nas was understandably upset and full of doubt, luckily I managed to convince her that whatever school day comradeship Mo and I had was long in the past and it would never match to the relationship she'll have with him as husband and wife. Plus, I would always respect the boundaries of that. Nasreen is very level-head and once the rumors died down, things were fine.
Luckily Imraan had heard this whole damaal straight from me before he even proposed, ah...Imraans proposal, now that's a story!... But, for another time...too bad I didn't keep a diary back then...
I must talk to Imraan about going to Port Shepstone after Eid, it was long overdue and quite frankly we could do with a sea-side break.
Most Guji DiLs go home for their first Ramadaan, at very least for a few weeks, but Imraan's family was paranoid and I didn't want to drag up any old ghost, especially after I noticed that Sumaya too, doesn't go home for Ramadaan. She did go for a week before though, brought back lovely savouries from her mum and nice things from a butchery in laudium.
Before I got married, Imraan told me about Bilal's first wife Farzana, she went home for her first Ramadaan and then decided she's not coming back. Nothing Bilal or my in-laws said would change her mind.
I also heard that sumaya and farzana got along really well, like sisters almost, so when the trouble started, Bilal accused Sumaya of causing some if it. (that may explain why Sumaya has taken so long to start warming to me.)
After a long drawn out dispute and trying to make it work living apart, Bilal and Farzana eventually decided to divorce. Much to my MiLs horror! She couldn't stand the tainted reputation and whispers, I'm sure.
Shortly after the talaaq, Bilal married Shiraan in a small Nikkah and backyard walima, nine months later...out popped the twins.
Shireen is my MiLs sisters daughter, at the time she was fending off a stigma of her own...the community was buzzing over her broken engagement after her fiancé called it off to make secret nikkah to the 'madragee' secretary from his office. Shireens mother was in a panic, Shireen was already 25 at the time and Imraan's Kala didn't want her daughter to be sitting on the shelf.
The two unfortunate situations made Bilal and Shireen a perfect match in every bodies eyes and my MiL had always had a soft spot for Shiraan because she and Bilal had been born a week apart, their mothers had confinement together. It was ment to be for then, apparently...(to bad they don't act 'ment to be,now')
Wait, wait...i stopped my self, backspace that thought...never judge anybody's relationship no matter how it looks from the outside, least you be wrong, worse if a similar situation should befall you, too.
Not like I didn't have my own fair share of time in the rumour spot light...when I met Imraan, Nasreen had just gotten engaged and rumours were flying around that I was jealous and trying to break off her engagement, after all, she's 6 months younger than me and getting married first. The rumours almost ruined our friendship, but good thing Nasreens so level-headed.
More than a year ago, when Nasreen heard that a boy from Port Shepstone was coming to see her, she immediately phoned to ask me if his name was familiar, I told her I had had a classmate by the same name, if it was the same boy, we were sort of friends in school and he was very nice, super intelligent too and cute! But I wasn't sure, I hadn't seen this boy in ages. Nasreen didn't mind, she was glad to have a positive vibe because this prospect did sound promising.
Things worked out for Nasreen... Muhammad was a "hunky, quantity surveyor" who grew up in Port Shepstone but studied, worked and lived in Durban. Nasreen never wanted to be a live-in DiL so for her, that was a real plus. The fact that Muhammad's parents lived almost an hour away, didnt hurt his rating either. She really makes me laugh.
At her engagement I immediately recognized Muhammad as the same one I had meant now with a designer beard.
When I went to congratulate the shy couple, Muhammad recognized me and the three of us fell into easy conversation, I think Nas&Mo were kind of glad to have a mutual buffer. Ofcorse the gossip mongers' watched on, eyes wide open...
The very next day the damaal started. I was accused of jealousy, conceit, lies etc it was very stressful because my relationship with Nas was on the line as well as her engagement.
Nas was understandably upset and full of doubt, luckily I managed to convince her that whatever school day comradeship Mo and I had was long in the past and it would never match to the relationship she'll have with him as husband and wife. Plus, I would always respect the boundaries of that. Nasreen is very level-head and once the rumors died down, things were fine.
Luckily Imraan had heard this whole damaal straight from me before he even proposed, ah...Imraans proposal, now that's a story!... But, for another time...too bad I didn't keep a diary back then...
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