I felt like I was struggling beneath the surface, drowning...but not wanting to emerge.
Slowly the weeks were ticking by and life was going on for everybody else...
For everybody else except me!
I submerged myself in tilawaat and zikr...it was the only solace for my broken heart.
It was all I could now do for Imraan.
I felt nothing about life or the world, I barely knew what day it was and I certainly wasn't aware of the passing of time.
But, alas...time waits for no man.
Shireen came to visit, amongst the sea of other visitors, her visit stuck out.
Most people who came, asked how I am awkwardly..they mumbled kind words and duas and then they felt lost looking at me, I didn't blame them...even I was lost. Most people usually turned to mummy or dilnaas or sabera, whoever else was there...they usually spoke about me in stage whispers, as if I wasn't there.
"Kaam che? Shame man...she's eating ne hando?bechari...whoo kaari?"
I usually just shut it out and continue my ibbadaat, my essale sawaab.
The more I turned to Allah, the better I felt. I was doing something worthwhile for Imraan...i was doing all I could do!
Shireens visit was different, after the awkwardness, she burst forth with news, to exciting to contain...she was pregnant again!
Her happiness and excitement was evident as she gushed about this and that. She didn't seem to mind my lack of response nor did she notice my growing anger.
After she left I was reeling. How dare she! She was cruel and heartless!!! Here I was, a widow before 30...with two fatherless children and all she cared about was herself! I didn't need a reminder how perfect everybody else life was! I was so angry, I cried hot angry tears into my pillow.
Emotions gushed out of me from deep within my soul. I begged Allah to fill my heart with sukoon. I couldn't take this pain anymore.
Once I had calmed down I could think straight and I realized how wrong I was. Shireen had every right to be happy...every right to enjoy her good fortune...every right to bask in the glow of her pregnancy. What right did I have to wish her less joy?
Death had left my children fatherless but my well of self pity was leaving them motherless!
Nobody knows better than me, how short life is...perfect can be snatched away in a minute. Happiness can turn to sadness, in only a second...
I lost my husband but I shouldn't be robbing my babies of a mother too.
I woke up and washed my face...i creped into Ahmeds old room just as my mother was preparing a bottle to feed Zeyaan.
I took the bottle from her and lifted the baby, wordlessly. My mother looked surprised but she didn't say anything. I sat with Zeyaan as he nestled against me his crying immediately stopped as I placed the bottle at his little rosebud lips.
His eyes were the exact same colour that Imraan's had been, I realized as Zeyaan looked up at me. His eyes never left my face as he drank his feed in my arms.
Before I could even burp him, he softly tucked into the nook of my arm and fell asleep.
I looked up to were mummy had been standing, watching us...only to realize she had slowly left without me noticing.
I carried my baby son to the bed and laid down next to him. I glanced at Zehrah sleeping in the cot next to the bed and I fell asleep.
I woke up from the first restfull sleep since the accident. I gazed at my two perfect little babies and realized that, that moment...that single moment, was the most peaceful one, I had had, in weeks.
It was almost perfect....almost, but not quite.
this sadness will always hang at the edge some where...but it doesn't have to consume me. It tinges my life and thoughts, but it cannot cripple me.
I am no longer Imraan's wife...but I am Zehrah and Zeyaans mother.
Imraan is no longer here...but I am!
I am all that they have...and I owe it to them to be strong. I owe it to Imraan, to be the best that I can be.
Who else would be able to tell them what an amazing man their father was?
Was...were...had been.
All we have left, are memories.
Showing posts with label twins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label twins. Show all posts
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Friday, 2 January 2015
Part 62:Zehraah and Zeyaan
I was wheeled to the NiCU to meet my precious babies.
Zehraah and Zeyaan
They are beautiful, sweet and so tiny.
The minute I saw them I fell in love! I also knew that they will make it, I just knew.
My father was okay. He had suffered a heart attack but for the most part he was fine.
I was released from hospital before the twins. I stayed in Port Shepstone and Ahmed or Sabera drove me to and from the hospital almost daily.
Imraan drove back and forth between Martizburg and Port Shepstone as often as he could manage. Some days he drove from PMB to Sheppie straight from work at 4, he would get to us at 7-8 pm and leave again after midnight, sleep in durban and drive to work in the morning. sometimes he would drive back to PMB after fajr to make it in time for work.It was exhausting. The only thing that made it easier was seeing how well our babies were doing.
We dreamed of taking them home and raising them. The last two months have been horrible. Imraan looks like a different person. He has lost so much weight, I can cry when I see him.
My mother has been running between me and my father as she nursed us both back to full strength.
I am doing alot better now. I can't wait to start our family life. It's all Imraan and I can talk about. The twins getting out of hospital and the four of us going home. The traveling is really hard on him too.
Sabera and Luqmaan are having a small nikkah this Friday after Jumuah and then the both families are hosting a joint Walima Lunch. Sabera is moving to PMB!!!
I'm so thrilled because she agreed to come home for a few hours each day to help me out with the twins.
Next week our babies will be ready to come home. Imraan is like a changed man already.
I can't wait!
Zehraah and Zeyaan
They are beautiful, sweet and so tiny.
The minute I saw them I fell in love! I also knew that they will make it, I just knew.
My father was okay. He had suffered a heart attack but for the most part he was fine.
I was released from hospital before the twins. I stayed in Port Shepstone and Ahmed or Sabera drove me to and from the hospital almost daily.
Imraan drove back and forth between Martizburg and Port Shepstone as often as he could manage. Some days he drove from PMB to Sheppie straight from work at 4, he would get to us at 7-8 pm and leave again after midnight, sleep in durban and drive to work in the morning. sometimes he would drive back to PMB after fajr to make it in time for work.It was exhausting. The only thing that made it easier was seeing how well our babies were doing.
We dreamed of taking them home and raising them. The last two months have been horrible. Imraan looks like a different person. He has lost so much weight, I can cry when I see him.
My mother has been running between me and my father as she nursed us both back to full strength.
I am doing alot better now. I can't wait to start our family life. It's all Imraan and I can talk about. The twins getting out of hospital and the four of us going home. The traveling is really hard on him too.
Sabera and Luqmaan are having a small nikkah this Friday after Jumuah and then the both families are hosting a joint Walima Lunch. Sabera is moving to PMB!!!
I'm so thrilled because she agreed to come home for a few hours each day to help me out with the twins.
Next week our babies will be ready to come home. Imraan is like a changed man already.
I can't wait!
Wednesday, 24 December 2014
Part 61:Reality dawns...
I blink my eyes as light shifts infront of my closed lids. Slowly my eyes adjust.
What day is it? Where am I?
I try to look around, to see. Im in a bed. Not my bed, but a bed. A hospital bed.
I shit my eyes left and right.
I see a figure leaning over next to me.
I am so thirsty.
Water, I want water.
"Imraan, please give me water!", I clear my throat and barely scrape the words out. But he hears me, his head jerks up, a stunned look on his face.
"Baby! Baby! You awake! Baby!"
His crying, he rushes to the door, "She's awake!", he screams.
He rushes back, he is holding my hand. He is staring at me. Tears roll,down his cheeks.
"water!", I remind him.
He quickly pours me a glass. I try to lift myself up to drink it but I can't. The pain is excruciating. A nurse hurries in with ice chips in a bowl.
"here, have this, you must be thirsty.", she says to me as she begins checking my vitals.
Now that my mouth isn't so dry, I look at Imraan with a million questions burning in ny eyes and heart.
"the babies...?", I choke out.
A strange expression crosses Imraan's face, my heart freezes, my mind is screaming No!!!
No, no, no! No!!!
I couldn't lose them.
Imraan takes a deep breath.
It was so early, they had to operate. You were hemorrhaging. They in NICU Hi-care. Its to soon for them, its touch and go.
I sighed. That was okay...it was bad, but not so bad. There was hope. There is always hope. Allahu-Akbar!
"I want to see them!", I demanded.
"See your doctor first!", the nurse said,as she finished fussying around me.
"Oh, they are beautiful, baby. So small, tiny and so perfect.", Imraan said with tears in his eyes.
"One boy and one girl.", Imraan said.
Wow! I just wanted to see my babies, I wanted to hold them!
"They can't come out of the incubators, the risk of infection is too high.", the nurse interrupted again.
Imraan flashed her an angry look, "I would like some time with my wife, in private.", he said pointedly.
As the nurse sulked away, I looked at Imraan with worry and concern.
"Don't worry baby!", "Just make dua...", Imraan said, squeezing my hand.
Allah knows best.
What day is it? Where am I?
I try to look around, to see. Im in a bed. Not my bed, but a bed. A hospital bed.
I shit my eyes left and right.
I see a figure leaning over next to me.
I am so thirsty.
Water, I want water.
"Imraan, please give me water!", I clear my throat and barely scrape the words out. But he hears me, his head jerks up, a stunned look on his face.
"Baby! Baby! You awake! Baby!"
His crying, he rushes to the door, "She's awake!", he screams.
He rushes back, he is holding my hand. He is staring at me. Tears roll,down his cheeks.
"water!", I remind him.
He quickly pours me a glass. I try to lift myself up to drink it but I can't. The pain is excruciating. A nurse hurries in with ice chips in a bowl.
"here, have this, you must be thirsty.", she says to me as she begins checking my vitals.
Now that my mouth isn't so dry, I look at Imraan with a million questions burning in ny eyes and heart.
"the babies...?", I choke out.
A strange expression crosses Imraan's face, my heart freezes, my mind is screaming No!!!
No, no, no! No!!!
I couldn't lose them.
Imraan takes a deep breath.
It was so early, they had to operate. You were hemorrhaging. They in NICU Hi-care. Its to soon for them, its touch and go.
I sighed. That was okay...it was bad, but not so bad. There was hope. There is always hope. Allahu-Akbar!
"I want to see them!", I demanded.
"See your doctor first!", the nurse said,as she finished fussying around me.
"Oh, they are beautiful, baby. So small, tiny and so perfect.", Imraan said with tears in his eyes.
"One boy and one girl.", Imraan said.
Wow! I just wanted to see my babies, I wanted to hold them!
"They can't come out of the incubators, the risk of infection is too high.", the nurse interrupted again.
Imraan flashed her an angry look, "I would like some time with my wife, in private.", he said pointedly.
As the nurse sulked away, I looked at Imraan with worry and concern.
"Don't worry baby!", "Just make dua...", Imraan said, squeezing my hand.
Allah knows best.
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.
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
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....
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....
Friday, 26 September 2014
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...
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...
Thursday, 25 September 2014
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!
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!
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
Part 39: Rescue Mission
I grabbed my handbag and gestured for Tumi to follow me out.
" Sumaya I'm going to check!", I called out over my shoulder.
I got into the car and I was about to open the passenger side for Tumi but she got into the backseat.
As I drove to the bus stop at the end of the road, she explained to me that the other maids had seen the boys getting onto a bus earlier that was headed for town.
OMW!!!!...i couldn't imagine what would make two five year olds that have never been on public transport ever, take a bus alone!
When we got the bus stop I got out and spoke to the ladies that sell sweets there, they both confirmed what Tumi had heard.
I didn't know what to do! I tried calling Imraan but his phone kept going to voicemail and anyway what help would he be, he was 45mins away!
Suddenly I saw the bus and taxi operator numbers stuck on the bus stop shelter, I called it!
I had to speak to three different people and explain to them I needed the route of a bus that stopped at this stop around 1:30, nobody seemed to understand me even though I tried to give a description of the bus etc...
Finally, seeing my faustration, Tumi motioned for me to give her the phone...
In a torrent of fast paced IsiZulu I didn't understand she managed to get us put through to the bus driver of the said bus.
He too remembered the boys very well but unfortunately they had just hopped of at his last stop...outside mr price in town!!!!, Tumi explained to me.
I didn't stop to think, I just ran back to my car and made a u-turn headed towards the freeway that would take me into the CBD...as I approached the on ramp i thought I better call Imraan stained...as I searched for my phone with one hand, I suddenly remembered that I had left it with Tumi when I took off...oh-0...too late now, I couldn't go back!
Luckily I was heading into town so I didn't have much traffic, but once I got there, west street was a circus at this hour! It took me ages to get to the corner where the huge Mr price is located and even longer to find parking...i don't know,what I was thinking! They may not even be here!
But I had a hunch...
I finally found parking and ran into the store, I headed straight for security, I tried to explain to him as best as I could, luckily he seemed to understand me and directed me to the manager.
The manager too knew what I was all frantic about, despite it being minutes away from closing time, he too made a few quiet phone calls and then directed me to the 3rd floor....swiping his employee card to give me access to a 'staff only' area and lift.
In the lift I suddenly felt very scared, I had calmed down by then and suddenly realized that I was on a wild goose chase, nobody knew were I was, if Imraan was home yet, he must be frantic...and here I was in an unknown building, in an area unseen by public, going I don't know where...
When the lift open I found myself in a busy office area with tons of people frantically finishing up their busy day...phones were ringing all over, people rushing here and their...i didn't know who to stop and ask...
"Fatiiii MAAmeeeeee"
The shouting of my name made me turn, just in time as first one boy and then the other ran to me, wrapping themselves around me...
.OMW, I found them!
A man about my age was walking towards me, thankfully he was smiling.
"As salaam mu alukum", he greeted me...I'm Zaid.
"wasalaam", I replied
" so you here for my two friends, I thought Il have to take them home with me!" he said as he ruffled their hair.
Zaid explained to me that the staff on the shop floor found the boys earlier in the afternoon when they came in asking for the staff to call their mother, they told staff that their mum always shops at this store and they want their mum to fetch them, they didn't know their phone number or address so somebody decided to call him from accounts to see if he could get their parents via the company data base. He had been told to report it to the police by the close of business if he didn't find the parents.
Zaid tried looking for their surname on the system, but none of the names and addresses that came up matched the area that the twins said they lived in.
He finally posted to Ask Nani Ma , in hope that somebody would have better details while he tried to keep them entertained and extract more information.
He hesitated to call the police because he felt that they may not be able to locate the parents any better than he could and feared that the children would be placed in custody till the parents were found, he had no faith in the local police.
I was so relieved to find these two monkeys, I just took all his details down for Shireen and Bilaal to contact him and thank him properly. I thanked him profusely.
As I was leaving he called after us "Yusuf, you forgetting your milkshake!", as one boy turned and ran to get it I stood amazed that he had learned to tell them apart in just a few hours yet I couldn't!
When I got the boys strapped into the back seat and headed back into the traffic to leave I suddenly realized I should have asked Zain to lend me his phone to call Imraan...to late now! Hopefully we would be home soon!
" Sumaya I'm going to check!", I called out over my shoulder.
I got into the car and I was about to open the passenger side for Tumi but she got into the backseat.
As I drove to the bus stop at the end of the road, she explained to me that the other maids had seen the boys getting onto a bus earlier that was headed for town.
OMW!!!!...i couldn't imagine what would make two five year olds that have never been on public transport ever, take a bus alone!
When we got the bus stop I got out and spoke to the ladies that sell sweets there, they both confirmed what Tumi had heard.
I didn't know what to do! I tried calling Imraan but his phone kept going to voicemail and anyway what help would he be, he was 45mins away!
Suddenly I saw the bus and taxi operator numbers stuck on the bus stop shelter, I called it!
I had to speak to three different people and explain to them I needed the route of a bus that stopped at this stop around 1:30, nobody seemed to understand me even though I tried to give a description of the bus etc...
Finally, seeing my faustration, Tumi motioned for me to give her the phone...
In a torrent of fast paced IsiZulu I didn't understand she managed to get us put through to the bus driver of the said bus.
He too remembered the boys very well but unfortunately they had just hopped of at his last stop...outside mr price in town!!!!, Tumi explained to me.
I didn't stop to think, I just ran back to my car and made a u-turn headed towards the freeway that would take me into the CBD...as I approached the on ramp i thought I better call Imraan stained...as I searched for my phone with one hand, I suddenly remembered that I had left it with Tumi when I took off...oh-0...too late now, I couldn't go back!
Luckily I was heading into town so I didn't have much traffic, but once I got there, west street was a circus at this hour! It took me ages to get to the corner where the huge Mr price is located and even longer to find parking...i don't know,what I was thinking! They may not even be here!
But I had a hunch...
I finally found parking and ran into the store, I headed straight for security, I tried to explain to him as best as I could, luckily he seemed to understand me and directed me to the manager.
The manager too knew what I was all frantic about, despite it being minutes away from closing time, he too made a few quiet phone calls and then directed me to the 3rd floor....swiping his employee card to give me access to a 'staff only' area and lift.
In the lift I suddenly felt very scared, I had calmed down by then and suddenly realized that I was on a wild goose chase, nobody knew were I was, if Imraan was home yet, he must be frantic...and here I was in an unknown building, in an area unseen by public, going I don't know where...
When the lift open I found myself in a busy office area with tons of people frantically finishing up their busy day...phones were ringing all over, people rushing here and their...i didn't know who to stop and ask...
"Fatiiii MAAmeeeeee"
The shouting of my name made me turn, just in time as first one boy and then the other ran to me, wrapping themselves around me...
.OMW, I found them!
A man about my age was walking towards me, thankfully he was smiling.
"As salaam mu alukum", he greeted me...I'm Zaid.
"wasalaam", I replied
" so you here for my two friends, I thought Il have to take them home with me!" he said as he ruffled their hair.
Zaid explained to me that the staff on the shop floor found the boys earlier in the afternoon when they came in asking for the staff to call their mother, they told staff that their mum always shops at this store and they want their mum to fetch them, they didn't know their phone number or address so somebody decided to call him from accounts to see if he could get their parents via the company data base. He had been told to report it to the police by the close of business if he didn't find the parents.
Zaid tried looking for their surname on the system, but none of the names and addresses that came up matched the area that the twins said they lived in.
He finally posted to Ask Nani Ma , in hope that somebody would have better details while he tried to keep them entertained and extract more information.
He hesitated to call the police because he felt that they may not be able to locate the parents any better than he could and feared that the children would be placed in custody till the parents were found, he had no faith in the local police.
I was so relieved to find these two monkeys, I just took all his details down for Shireen and Bilaal to contact him and thank him properly. I thanked him profusely.
As I was leaving he called after us "Yusuf, you forgetting your milkshake!", as one boy turned and ran to get it I stood amazed that he had learned to tell them apart in just a few hours yet I couldn't!
When I got the boys strapped into the back seat and headed back into the traffic to leave I suddenly realized I should have asked Zain to lend me his phone to call Imraan...to late now! Hopefully we would be home soon!
Tuesday, 23 September 2014
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...)
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...)
Thursday, 21 August 2014
Part 20: Leftovers and loving Indian...
Last night we had an Indo-pak supper of butter chicken, lamb karai, beef nihari with rogni naan and aloo parathas.
i love indo-Pak cuisine but Dadi really did go abit overboard with the ordering!
"I thought they kanjoos", she explained.
My MiL was shocked to see the table full of take-away tubs and papper wrappers...she couldn't believe Dadi had ordered food, after years of insisting on 'Ghar nu kawaanu'.
There was so much aloo paratha left over I decided to take a few extra for some of the teachers at school, there was still too much so I wrapped a few in individual foils and decided to give it to some people on the way to work.
in a household as big as ours we have alot of leftovers and sometimes its too much for tumi and thembi even.
Naturally I gave some to the beggars at the robots. I also gave the guy trying to sell me sunglasses, he looked hungry. I was like spreading paratha love...
When I got to the parking lot of the building that houses our school the man that parks next to me drove up right behind me, I had noticed him in my rear-view for quiet awhile, his beat up vw caddy was hard to miss.
usually when he sees me he greets with a polite 'Good morning' as we ride the lift together in silence but today he had a question...
"what was that you gave out at the intersection back there?", he asked.
"erm, some left over food from supper. Potatoe breads...", I kind of explained.
" oh do you mean aa-looo paa-raaathaa? I love those!", he said.
"yes, that, we had so many left over, do you want some?", I offered him.
He took one with a happy smile and as I left the lift he called out, "thanks, I do love myself some Indian!"
Ofcorse, half the staff heard him and looked at me funny, "his talking about food.", I muttered to them as I went into the front doors that was the entrance to our school.
When I told Imraan the story, he roared with laughter and told me not to run away with my green eyed gora.
Recently, I have been paying more attention to Shireens two, I know I'm really in for an adventure. Nobody knows better than me that no two children are alike, not even siblings, I know all about nature vs nurture, but I'm still very nervous!
I can't even tell Shireen's boys apart even after all this time and I find them more than a handful.
I want to raise my children differently but I wonder how that would work . Imraan and I have alot to think about.
Right now, Imraan is still stressing about work, he has been given his biggest case yet, with alot of responsibility, he told me that he feels like his being tested...but why?
I don't know how to calm his nerves. We suppose to be finalizing our Malawi trip for Saleems wedding but Imraan's having second thoughts.
With this stress at work and my being pregnant, he feels like we should cancel our plans.
Both my mamagee and the Gyni have cleared me for flying, it is early enough in my pregnancy and shukaar I have no complications for them to be concerned.
*There is malaria tablets that are safe to take while pregnant too so neither doctor saw any reason why I shouldn't go.
But Imraan, being Imraan...can't help but worry!
Now his reasoning that if he has to be unemployed he'd rather be saving that money...
Sigh...i hope we get some clarity on all fronts, soon...
*once again the medical information in this post is not based on any truth or research, the Author just made it up for the sake of the storyline and continuity...always seek the advice of medical professionals.
i love indo-Pak cuisine but Dadi really did go abit overboard with the ordering!
"I thought they kanjoos", she explained.
My MiL was shocked to see the table full of take-away tubs and papper wrappers...she couldn't believe Dadi had ordered food, after years of insisting on 'Ghar nu kawaanu'.
There was so much aloo paratha left over I decided to take a few extra for some of the teachers at school, there was still too much so I wrapped a few in individual foils and decided to give it to some people on the way to work.
in a household as big as ours we have alot of leftovers and sometimes its too much for tumi and thembi even.
Naturally I gave some to the beggars at the robots. I also gave the guy trying to sell me sunglasses, he looked hungry. I was like spreading paratha love...
When I got to the parking lot of the building that houses our school the man that parks next to me drove up right behind me, I had noticed him in my rear-view for quiet awhile, his beat up vw caddy was hard to miss.
usually when he sees me he greets with a polite 'Good morning' as we ride the lift together in silence but today he had a question...
"what was that you gave out at the intersection back there?", he asked.
"erm, some left over food from supper. Potatoe breads...", I kind of explained.
" oh do you mean aa-looo paa-raaathaa? I love those!", he said.
"yes, that, we had so many left over, do you want some?", I offered him.
He took one with a happy smile and as I left the lift he called out, "thanks, I do love myself some Indian!"
Ofcorse, half the staff heard him and looked at me funny, "his talking about food.", I muttered to them as I went into the front doors that was the entrance to our school.
When I told Imraan the story, he roared with laughter and told me not to run away with my green eyed gora.
Recently, I have been paying more attention to Shireens two, I know I'm really in for an adventure. Nobody knows better than me that no two children are alike, not even siblings, I know all about nature vs nurture, but I'm still very nervous!
I can't even tell Shireen's boys apart even after all this time and I find them more than a handful.
I want to raise my children differently but I wonder how that would work . Imraan and I have alot to think about.
Right now, Imraan is still stressing about work, he has been given his biggest case yet, with alot of responsibility, he told me that he feels like his being tested...but why?
I don't know how to calm his nerves. We suppose to be finalizing our Malawi trip for Saleems wedding but Imraan's having second thoughts.
With this stress at work and my being pregnant, he feels like we should cancel our plans.
Both my mamagee and the Gyni have cleared me for flying, it is early enough in my pregnancy and shukaar I have no complications for them to be concerned.
*There is malaria tablets that are safe to take while pregnant too so neither doctor saw any reason why I shouldn't go.
But Imraan, being Imraan...can't help but worry!
Now his reasoning that if he has to be unemployed he'd rather be saving that money...
Sigh...i hope we get some clarity on all fronts, soon...
*once again the medical information in this post is not based on any truth or research, the Author just made it up for the sake of the storyline and continuity...always seek the advice of medical professionals.
Monday, 18 August 2014
Road Trip Series-Part 3: Flattery will get you everywhere...
The weekend turned out to be as awesome as I had wanted it to be...and it was all over way to quickly!
On Saturday morning Imraan and I drove along marine drive stopping at some of my favorite beaches, St Micheals, the lagoon in Uvongo and finally ended up in Margate. We parked on the pier and roamed around eating ice cream from a little shop by the rocks, inevitably we found ourselves at the funfair, as we walked between the children's rides we started talking about how nice it would be to bring our own little two here, which led us to talking about names for twins...we decided to make list and then narrow them down, I wanted matching first letters, I think its so cute!
By lunch time we were back in Sheppy and ordered my favorite pizza for lunch. After lunch Sabera and I went shopping with my mum touring both Shelly Centre and South Coast Mall. I love small towns, everything is so close by. We had so much fun and I really needed time to be with them and just relax.
Imraan went to a fish shop in Marburg to get everything on his mothers list.
When we got home Imraan was sitting in the garden chatting to my twin cousins from upstairs' Omir and Umaar.
What is it with twins, I'm surrounded by them, looks like they were always in my taqdeer.
These two however are like twideldee and twideldum. I never liked them, I don't know how Imraan manages to talk to them, I suppose he was just bored.
Even when we were growing up, they didn't have that mischievous spark like Shireens Yusuf and Yusair.
By supper time I was so tired I fell asleep while chatting to my father in the lounge...imraan must have carried me to the room because when I woke up I was in my bed and it was already Sunday! s
I washed up and went looking for Imraan, I found him in the kitchen teasing my Dadi, while she made him tea and eggs.
"I think Rehana is a very nice name, Dadi...it suits you!", he was telling her.
Dadi was quiet chaffed at all the attention.
"Dadi what is this lutchoo telling you, he just wants breakfast from you coz nobody else is awake yet."
"Dadi laughed, leave him leave him, I miss making breakfast for Dada...he use to have eggs and tarkari every Sundy too!"
Imraan winked at me..
I just shook my head at him, it was awesome how he was so chilled in my family home, I hope Sabera finds somebody like that too.
Imraan always wants to 'hook her up' with his friends so he'll have company. As I walked away I heard Dadi complaining to Imraan about Dilnaas.
When did my husband become a panchaat dadoo.
After brunch we left for Durban, it was so sad leaving but both Imraan and I felt so much more lighter and rested after our break. We finally told my family that the doctor said we expecting twins, everybody was super excited.
We had a very hard time packing the car once again, my mother obviously thinks that I don't eat in Durban, she sent things for my MiL, Kala and Mamagee too!
The lady Imraan delivered the pickles too had a 'parcel' that needed to go back to Durban too!
My aunty from upstairs needed us to buy some stuff from the spice shop in Durban and send it up when somebody was coming...
then came all our goodbyes and warnings to drive safely, call when we reach, come again soon, etc etc...it's funny how the goodbyes can be longer than the visit sometimes, hehe...
I really needed this time with my family though, I miss them...once you get married, it's never the way it use to be.
We slowly backed out of the driveway, as much as its sad to leave, i dont mind so much coz im leaving with my amazing hubby, our marriage and life together is every bit as important as my childhood and the years I spent here...i waved at my family till I couldn't see them in the side mirror anymore and ofcorse I was fast asleep before we even got to the freeway...
On Saturday morning Imraan and I drove along marine drive stopping at some of my favorite beaches, St Micheals, the lagoon in Uvongo and finally ended up in Margate. We parked on the pier and roamed around eating ice cream from a little shop by the rocks, inevitably we found ourselves at the funfair, as we walked between the children's rides we started talking about how nice it would be to bring our own little two here, which led us to talking about names for twins...we decided to make list and then narrow them down, I wanted matching first letters, I think its so cute!
By lunch time we were back in Sheppy and ordered my favorite pizza for lunch. After lunch Sabera and I went shopping with my mum touring both Shelly Centre and South Coast Mall. I love small towns, everything is so close by. We had so much fun and I really needed time to be with them and just relax.
Imraan went to a fish shop in Marburg to get everything on his mothers list.
When we got home Imraan was sitting in the garden chatting to my twin cousins from upstairs' Omir and Umaar.
What is it with twins, I'm surrounded by them, looks like they were always in my taqdeer.
These two however are like twideldee and twideldum. I never liked them, I don't know how Imraan manages to talk to them, I suppose he was just bored.
Even when we were growing up, they didn't have that mischievous spark like Shireens Yusuf and Yusair.
By supper time I was so tired I fell asleep while chatting to my father in the lounge...imraan must have carried me to the room because when I woke up I was in my bed and it was already Sunday! s
I washed up and went looking for Imraan, I found him in the kitchen teasing my Dadi, while she made him tea and eggs.
"I think Rehana is a very nice name, Dadi...it suits you!", he was telling her.
Dadi was quiet chaffed at all the attention.
"Dadi what is this lutchoo telling you, he just wants breakfast from you coz nobody else is awake yet."
"Dadi laughed, leave him leave him, I miss making breakfast for Dada...he use to have eggs and tarkari every Sundy too!"
Imraan winked at me..
I just shook my head at him, it was awesome how he was so chilled in my family home, I hope Sabera finds somebody like that too.
Imraan always wants to 'hook her up' with his friends so he'll have company. As I walked away I heard Dadi complaining to Imraan about Dilnaas.
When did my husband become a panchaat dadoo.
After brunch we left for Durban, it was so sad leaving but both Imraan and I felt so much more lighter and rested after our break. We finally told my family that the doctor said we expecting twins, everybody was super excited.
We had a very hard time packing the car once again, my mother obviously thinks that I don't eat in Durban, she sent things for my MiL, Kala and Mamagee too!
The lady Imraan delivered the pickles too had a 'parcel' that needed to go back to Durban too!
My aunty from upstairs needed us to buy some stuff from the spice shop in Durban and send it up when somebody was coming...
then came all our goodbyes and warnings to drive safely, call when we reach, come again soon, etc etc...it's funny how the goodbyes can be longer than the visit sometimes, hehe...
I really needed this time with my family though, I miss them...once you get married, it's never the way it use to be.
We slowly backed out of the driveway, as much as its sad to leave, i dont mind so much coz im leaving with my amazing hubby, our marriage and life together is every bit as important as my childhood and the years I spent here...i waved at my family till I couldn't see them in the side mirror anymore and ofcorse I was fast asleep before we even got to the freeway...
Thursday, 14 August 2014
Road Trip Series-Part 1: Destination HOME
Today Imraan and i got off work early so we could load up and leave for Port Shepstone.
We were only going till Sunday so we shared a small suitcase,but you would never say! Our booth and backseat were full, granted we have a small polo Gti, but still.
My MiL packed a million little this and that's for us for the 'road'...its only an hours drive, mind you.
She also sent 'durban' things for my mother, coz you know how asmall place like NPS doesn't have shops. Although she did give Imraan a rather long sea food shopping list.
My Kala, Nasreens mum, had a 'parcel' to send for my mum.
Then, at the last minute, Imraan's Gori foi, Khatijah, phoned to ask if we can take one small parcel for her neighbors niece in Albersville, this lady also wanted to know if we will be stopping in Umzinto (coz you know its 'on the way') because she had a urgent wedding invite card she needed to send to her sister.
despite telling her we won't be going to umzinto, her son who came to drop of the 'parcel'- a big heavy box-handed us the invite, 'just in case you'll stop'...
(erm, stop? Why, do they live on the side of the freeway)
after we crammed everything into the car, we were finally ready to hit the road.
I last remembered passing Isipingo , my head heavy against the headrest. when I opened my eyes again we where just taking the Hibberdene turn-off.
"Hi sleepy-head...can you hear anything?" Imraan asked me with amusement.
I listened for a moment, puzzled..."nope", I replied confused.
"Ah, good then, that snoring sound is gone!" he said, laughing at his own lame joke.
I swatted at his arm playfully and he jerked the steering wheel to right and back giving me a huge fright!
"don't do that!" I exclaimed loudly, placing a hand on my abdomen.
"I didn't, you the one that hit me!" he said
"oh please, just drive"..." yes boss" he winked back...i stuck out my tongue at him and turned to watch the ocean as afternoon turned to evening...
I really love my husband, we have so much to look forward too.
Before I knew it we were pulling into the driveway of my parents home in Shelly Beach. The ground floor of the house is where I grew up and got married from. Upstairs, my fathers brother lives, they have a view of the distant ocean from their lounge and balcony.
The minute I walked through the front door, I was a child again... I flopped onto the sofa while my mother and Dadi fussed over me.
" put your feet up""why you carrying things"" you want some tea"
ahh...the smell of my mummy's cooking, the ding ding of the old grandfather clock in the passage, the feel of our leather couches, the smell of Dadis favourite furniture polish...i was home!...only one part missing..
"oh, stop fussing over her!...she's pregnant not an invalid..."
"Shew, looks like you moving in with all the stuff you brought for the weekend!" my sister said sarcastically as she came into the lounge. I smiled brightly at her, "Nice to see you too, Sabera." I said happily....right, now i was truly home!
Imraan who was just bringing in the last of our stuff, had heard her..."don't give her all those gifts you bought her, Tima...this big mouth doesn't deserve them"
I saw Sabera getting ready with a cheeky remark of her own, I quickly tuned them out...they would carry on for hours!
I headed to the kitchen to find my father...it was good to be home!
We were only going till Sunday so we shared a small suitcase,but you would never say! Our booth and backseat were full, granted we have a small polo Gti, but still.
My MiL packed a million little this and that's for us for the 'road'...its only an hours drive, mind you.
She also sent 'durban' things for my mother, coz you know how asmall place like NPS doesn't have shops. Although she did give Imraan a rather long sea food shopping list.
My Kala, Nasreens mum, had a 'parcel' to send for my mum.
Then, at the last minute, Imraan's Gori foi, Khatijah, phoned to ask if we can take one small parcel for her neighbors niece in Albersville, this lady also wanted to know if we will be stopping in Umzinto (coz you know its 'on the way') because she had a urgent wedding invite card she needed to send to her sister.
despite telling her we won't be going to umzinto, her son who came to drop of the 'parcel'- a big heavy box-handed us the invite, 'just in case you'll stop'...
(erm, stop? Why, do they live on the side of the freeway)
after we crammed everything into the car, we were finally ready to hit the road.
I last remembered passing Isipingo , my head heavy against the headrest. when I opened my eyes again we where just taking the Hibberdene turn-off.
"Hi sleepy-head...can you hear anything?" Imraan asked me with amusement.
I listened for a moment, puzzled..."nope", I replied confused.
"Ah, good then, that snoring sound is gone!" he said, laughing at his own lame joke.
I swatted at his arm playfully and he jerked the steering wheel to right and back giving me a huge fright!
"don't do that!" I exclaimed loudly, placing a hand on my abdomen.
"I didn't, you the one that hit me!" he said
"oh please, just drive"..." yes boss" he winked back...i stuck out my tongue at him and turned to watch the ocean as afternoon turned to evening...
I really love my husband, we have so much to look forward too.
Before I knew it we were pulling into the driveway of my parents home in Shelly Beach. The ground floor of the house is where I grew up and got married from. Upstairs, my fathers brother lives, they have a view of the distant ocean from their lounge and balcony.
The minute I walked through the front door, I was a child again... I flopped onto the sofa while my mother and Dadi fussed over me.
" put your feet up""why you carrying things"" you want some tea"
ahh...the smell of my mummy's cooking, the ding ding of the old grandfather clock in the passage, the feel of our leather couches, the smell of Dadis favourite furniture polish...i was home!...only one part missing..
"oh, stop fussing over her!...she's pregnant not an invalid..."
"Shew, looks like you moving in with all the stuff you brought for the weekend!" my sister said sarcastically as she came into the lounge. I smiled brightly at her, "Nice to see you too, Sabera." I said happily....right, now i was truly home!
Imraan who was just bringing in the last of our stuff, had heard her..."don't give her all those gifts you bought her, Tima...this big mouth doesn't deserve them"
I saw Sabera getting ready with a cheeky remark of her own, I quickly tuned them out...they would carry on for hours!
I headed to the kitchen to find my father...it was good to be home!
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Part 17: A little blimp...or two!
Imraan and I were so excited over our first visit to the Gyni, I was lucky to get an appointment so soon too, the waiting list is really long.
When we got there I was shocked at how full the waiting room was with pregnant women...
I filled out my details, was told not to pee till after I saw Dr. and made to weigh myself.
The man sitting next to the scale actually looked at the weight reading while I was taking it! How rude! I gave him a dirty look.
I flipped through old pregnancy magazines while Imraan fiddled with his phone, I knew he was nervous, so was I...i don't know why.
Finally it was our turn, the Dr was nice looking in a fatherly way and I immediately felt comfortable as he made salaam and shook Imraan's hand asking him if they had met before etc. Imraan admitted that he had went to school with Drs son. We discussed my general health and medical history, symptoms and fears.
*I explained that I had fell pregnant while on birthcontrol, and think I might have missed one without realizing, however I stopped taking them them the day we found out I was pregnant. Dr assured me I have nothing to worry about regarding the pill affecting the fetal development.* I also mentioned I had started folic acid already on advice from my GP, when he saw my Mamagees name on the card he said they had been in Med school together. I admitted that my GP was also my mothers brother. The Dr laughed and said this seems to be a 'contection call' to which Imraan replied, "yah, 45th cutting connections". The Drs mannerisms, warmth and humour made me feel sure of my decision to see him.
He did the Ultrasound and said, "Masha'Allah your baby looks very healthy and is growing well, there is good blood flow to the placenta, the dates must be off but because the measurements are showing less than the predicted gestation. Lets check the heartbeat first then Il redo your expected due date, due dates are not important, Allah decides when and where we are born, but its nice to have an idea to track progress."
Dr flipped a switch, moved the scanner around pressing it harder against my abdomen until a 'dum dum dum' sound filled the room..."that's your baby's heart" he said.
What a beautiful moment, I looked into Imraan's eyes and saw the amazement and love there.
Dr was still,fiddling around, his brow frowning, the heartbeat sound was coming and going, he was moving the scanner to two locations...
His concentration scares me...something was wrong!
"there is two heartbeats, Alhumdulliah...", he began.
"two heart beats! I panicked, not giving him a chance to finish, is something wrong with my baby!" tears filled my eyes.
Imraan placed a hand on my knee, let him finish Tima...(he had heard this story once before)
Dr cleared his throat, "Fatima, it means you carrying twins, Masha'Allah, that is why the dates and measurements don't match, I'm going to try a more dynamic view to see if I can find the other baby, this one is blocking it but they move around alot, even though you can't feel it yet..." he said gently.
Twins...TWINS...twins!!! OMW...i thought of the two at home...what was I in for!...
**The Author fabricated much of the medical information provided in this post for purposes of the story and continuity, please don't consider any of it to be true. Always contact a medical practioner for advice.
When we got there I was shocked at how full the waiting room was with pregnant women...
I filled out my details, was told not to pee till after I saw Dr. and made to weigh myself.
The man sitting next to the scale actually looked at the weight reading while I was taking it! How rude! I gave him a dirty look.
I flipped through old pregnancy magazines while Imraan fiddled with his phone, I knew he was nervous, so was I...i don't know why.
Finally it was our turn, the Dr was nice looking in a fatherly way and I immediately felt comfortable as he made salaam and shook Imraan's hand asking him if they had met before etc. Imraan admitted that he had went to school with Drs son. We discussed my general health and medical history, symptoms and fears.
*I explained that I had fell pregnant while on birthcontrol, and think I might have missed one without realizing, however I stopped taking them them the day we found out I was pregnant. Dr assured me I have nothing to worry about regarding the pill affecting the fetal development.* I also mentioned I had started folic acid already on advice from my GP, when he saw my Mamagees name on the card he said they had been in Med school together. I admitted that my GP was also my mothers brother. The Dr laughed and said this seems to be a 'contection call' to which Imraan replied, "yah, 45th cutting connections". The Drs mannerisms, warmth and humour made me feel sure of my decision to see him.
He did the Ultrasound and said, "Masha'Allah your baby looks very healthy and is growing well, there is good blood flow to the placenta, the dates must be off but because the measurements are showing less than the predicted gestation. Lets check the heartbeat first then Il redo your expected due date, due dates are not important, Allah decides when and where we are born, but its nice to have an idea to track progress."
Dr flipped a switch, moved the scanner around pressing it harder against my abdomen until a 'dum dum dum' sound filled the room..."that's your baby's heart" he said.
What a beautiful moment, I looked into Imraan's eyes and saw the amazement and love there.
Dr was still,fiddling around, his brow frowning, the heartbeat sound was coming and going, he was moving the scanner to two locations...
His concentration scares me...something was wrong!
"there is two heartbeats, Alhumdulliah...", he began.
"two heart beats! I panicked, not giving him a chance to finish, is something wrong with my baby!" tears filled my eyes.
Imraan placed a hand on my knee, let him finish Tima...(he had heard this story once before)
Dr cleared his throat, "Fatima, it means you carrying twins, Masha'Allah, that is why the dates and measurements don't match, I'm going to try a more dynamic view to see if I can find the other baby, this one is blocking it but they move around alot, even though you can't feel it yet..." he said gently.
Twins...TWINS...twins!!! OMW...i thought of the two at home...what was I in for!...
**The Author fabricated much of the medical information provided in this post for purposes of the story and continuity, please don't consider any of it to be true. Always contact a medical practioner for advice.
Monday, 28 July 2014
Part 11-Stab wounds and blood everywhere!
Just as I was about to tell Imraan the test results, we where interrupted by blood curling screams!
I thought choir barayaa1, and almost dove under the bed!
Knock knock knock KNOCK
Somebody was banging on the room door!
"IMRAAN IMRAAN, COME QUICKLY, THE TWINS ARE BLEEDING..."
What! Both of them!?, I jammed on my slippers, left the test on the bed and ran after Imraan who was already halfway to the lounge. My job at an ECD facility for special needs made me an excellent first-aider...I knew I could help calmly. Calm was not what I walked into...
The sight of the two boys was not one for weak stomachs, they both were covered in bright red blood, it was dripping from their heads, running little rivers down there faces, all over their hands and the carpet they where sitting on was smeared.
The twins however, were staring wide-eyed at everybody in what I hope was fear.
Shireen was besides herself and hysterical...my babies, my boys, they going to die Bilal, do something! Oh Allah...
She herself appeared to be blood-free however.
Bilal was shouting at her to shut up so he could think.
My MiL was trying to console her while ordering Imraan to tell the doctor its an emergency.
Imraan was scrolling through his phone, no doubt looking for my Mamagees2 number.
My FiL was frantically flipping through the phone book looking for the ambulance number.
Muhammad Bhai3, oddly enough, was calmly reading the paper, oblivious to the drama before him.
I wanted to laugh! The smell was distinctive, how did they not recognize it!
I kept a straight face and walked over to the boys...in a clear loud voice, I said: stand up and give it to me right now!
"oh Mari ma4...they have a knife, Bilal, Fatima saw a knife! They stabbed each other in the head, Bilal", Shireen started with another round of hysterics.
"give you what Fati-Mamee5", said one boy.
"yah, what you want Fati-Mamee", said the other.
"STAND UP RIGHT NOW, BOTH OF YOU!!", I said, using my teacher voice.
As they stood up, bottles and bottles of Maccurachomb tumbled out from under their 'blood stained' T-Shirts.
The room had fell silent.
"where did you get these?" I asked them.
"you gave us!", said one...
"don't lie, we took it from Nana's shop", said the other.
Shireens family owned a supermarket situated on the ground level and they lived in an apartment above.
How two 5year olds managed to do this without anybody noticing, was beyond me...but I also know how resourceful children are, especially if there are two of them.
I can't count how many times, my sister and I had put a drop of Macuracomb on our fingers to show our mother we got cut. We loved the fancy plasters she use to keep.
I suppose Muhammad Bhai had been sitting there the whole time too, but he knows better than to discipline 'Bilal's Children'
"they just need a bath Shireen, the red stains should fade in a week..." I said.
"oh Allah, they can't have red faces for Eid!", she said.
I sensed a new drama unfolding so I started retreating. Imraan was already late for Tarawee6 and his best friend Saleem was waiting outside. Saleem was getting married soon to a girl from Malawi and was having huge issues with land conveying for the extension he was trying to build, so he often needed Imraan's advice. His wedding was going to be in Malawi and the Walima7, two weeks later in Durban, Imraan and I had decided to go to Malawi instead of taking a holiday for our anniversary. We were really looking forward to the upcoming trip.
Back in my room I wondered how to recreate the moment Imraan and I had lost.
I looked through Imraan's cupboard for the smiley face tie he never wears, I got a huge chart board and folded it into a shirt with a collar, inside I wrote, "Congratulations, you going to be a dad, Insha'Allah.8" I draped the tie and leaned the card against Imraan's pillows.
Inspired! I quickly looked for his smilely boxer shorts and stretched it over the bottom of the card leaving the legs dangling. I found a powder blue sock and a pink one in my draw and stuffed them up with some of his rolled up socks, creating 'legs' I placed these poking out from the shorts. A baseball cap backwards resting on the top of the card and pillow completed my make-shift man. I tucked the positive pregnancy test into the stuck on pocket of the card. There...that was cute.
That night I did my tilawaat9 of Quraan with one hand over my abdomen and a silly grin I couldn't wipe off.
When Imraan came home, he woke me with a kiss and a tight hug, then he slipped a Lindor into my mouth.
"Il take you to the Dr. after work tomorrow." he whispered.
We snuggled up and fell asleep smiling...dreaming of the good things to come.
Glossary:
I thought choir barayaa1, and almost dove under the bed!
Knock knock knock KNOCK
Somebody was banging on the room door!
"IMRAAN IMRAAN, COME QUICKLY, THE TWINS ARE BLEEDING..."
What! Both of them!?, I jammed on my slippers, left the test on the bed and ran after Imraan who was already halfway to the lounge. My job at an ECD facility for special needs made me an excellent first-aider...I knew I could help calmly. Calm was not what I walked into...
The sight of the two boys was not one for weak stomachs, they both were covered in bright red blood, it was dripping from their heads, running little rivers down there faces, all over their hands and the carpet they where sitting on was smeared.
The twins however, were staring wide-eyed at everybody in what I hope was fear.
Shireen was besides herself and hysterical...my babies, my boys, they going to die Bilal, do something! Oh Allah...
She herself appeared to be blood-free however.
Bilal was shouting at her to shut up so he could think.
My MiL was trying to console her while ordering Imraan to tell the doctor its an emergency.
Imraan was scrolling through his phone, no doubt looking for my Mamagees2 number.
My FiL was frantically flipping through the phone book looking for the ambulance number.
Muhammad Bhai3, oddly enough, was calmly reading the paper, oblivious to the drama before him.
I wanted to laugh! The smell was distinctive, how did they not recognize it!
I kept a straight face and walked over to the boys...in a clear loud voice, I said: stand up and give it to me right now!
"oh Mari ma4...they have a knife, Bilal, Fatima saw a knife! They stabbed each other in the head, Bilal", Shireen started with another round of hysterics.
"give you what Fati-Mamee5", said one boy.
"yah, what you want Fati-Mamee", said the other.
"STAND UP RIGHT NOW, BOTH OF YOU!!", I said, using my teacher voice.
As they stood up, bottles and bottles of Maccurachomb tumbled out from under their 'blood stained' T-Shirts.
The room had fell silent.
"where did you get these?" I asked them.
"you gave us!", said one...
"don't lie, we took it from Nana's shop", said the other.
Shireens family owned a supermarket situated on the ground level and they lived in an apartment above.
How two 5year olds managed to do this without anybody noticing, was beyond me...but I also know how resourceful children are, especially if there are two of them.
I can't count how many times, my sister and I had put a drop of Macuracomb on our fingers to show our mother we got cut. We loved the fancy plasters she use to keep.
I suppose Muhammad Bhai had been sitting there the whole time too, but he knows better than to discipline 'Bilal's Children'
"they just need a bath Shireen, the red stains should fade in a week..." I said.
"oh Allah, they can't have red faces for Eid!", she said.
I sensed a new drama unfolding so I started retreating. Imraan was already late for Tarawee6 and his best friend Saleem was waiting outside. Saleem was getting married soon to a girl from Malawi and was having huge issues with land conveying for the extension he was trying to build, so he often needed Imraan's advice. His wedding was going to be in Malawi and the Walima7, two weeks later in Durban, Imraan and I had decided to go to Malawi instead of taking a holiday for our anniversary. We were really looking forward to the upcoming trip.
Back in my room I wondered how to recreate the moment Imraan and I had lost.
I looked through Imraan's cupboard for the smiley face tie he never wears, I got a huge chart board and folded it into a shirt with a collar, inside I wrote, "Congratulations, you going to be a dad, Insha'Allah.8" I draped the tie and leaned the card against Imraan's pillows.
Inspired! I quickly looked for his smilely boxer shorts and stretched it over the bottom of the card leaving the legs dangling. I found a powder blue sock and a pink one in my draw and stuffed them up with some of his rolled up socks, creating 'legs' I placed these poking out from the shorts. A baseball cap backwards resting on the top of the card and pillow completed my make-shift man. I tucked the positive pregnancy test into the stuck on pocket of the card. There...that was cute.
That night I did my tilawaat9 of Quraan with one hand over my abdomen and a silly grin I couldn't wipe off.
When Imraan came home, he woke me with a kiss and a tight hug, then he slipped a Lindor into my mouth.
"Il take you to the Dr. after work tomorrow." he whispered.
We snuggled up and fell asleep smiling...dreaming of the good things to come.
Glossary:
- Robbers gained entry.
- maternal uncle
- brother
- oh my mother-dramtic expression
- aunty-married to fathers brother
- extended night-time prayer in ramadaan
- feast after the wedding
- if Allah wills
- recitation
Friday, 18 July 2014
Part 4-Two twins and Masaala steak
I got home to chaos in the kitchen, it was Sumaya's turn for savoury and Shireen's turn for main dish.
Sumaya had spring rolls out that she was crumbing and frying and 1 dozen mince samoosas ready to fry for her husband, I smiled to myself when I saw them. Her baby was parked in his pram in one corner, I went to tickle and coo at him, he is just too cute!
Shireen was frantically trying to put her chicken tarkaree together, she was loudly complaining to Sumaya that there is just no barkaat in time now days, "I don't know if these aloos will even get done, lucky Bilal won't eat curry, you know how he likes soft soft aloo only"
A loud yell sent her scurrying from the kitchen, she just knew her sons were up to no good.
I quickly got out my marinade ingredients onto the furthest counter top when MiL dearest walked in..."Sumaya leave all this and go see Talha, he was fighting with the twins! You only making one savoury? Bilal can't eat one type only, poor man is rozdaar too you know. Leave it, leave it...too late now, we'll just make do...
Let me check this tarkaree, bechari shireen, she got her hands full with those 'two twins' of hers, areh areh"
I could have sworn I saw Sumaya roll her eyes and wink at me as she left the kitchen...did she? Must be my imagination!
"Fatima what you doing with all that khatbhat there, don't you want to go read Quraan before iftaar..." (guess with nobody else left in the kitchen, it was my turn now...)
"Gee mummy, I just want to marinate some steak for Imraan then Il go"
"oh I already gave masaalah to that steak, you have to masaalah steak early, then its hawaat...Imraan likes my crushed chille masaala from small too"
Nasreens voice shouted 'say something, say something' in my head.
But my MiL had already moved on to complaining about Sumaya , "so much teel Sumaya frys in, well all will get jara jara...not enough her rung is all wrong now she wants to get jari too...lucky her two didn't get her complexion"
I just mumbled thank you and walked out. (Score: MiL-2, Me-Nil)
After iftaar I could barely keep my eyes open...I was just beyond tired. Imraan came into the room and saw me laying down, "You oki TiMwah?" he asked touching my forehead lightly.
"Gee baby, just so so sleepy."
"You must take it easy..why don't you sleep early, leave those steaks out for me, I won't wake you up later"
I smiled sleepily in thanks , only after he left for tarawee I dragged myself to retrieve the old ice cream container of steak from the fridge, (guess you can't put that much arad in real tupperware) and then I realised I forgot to tell him its not BBQ...ohh 0!
Sumaya had spring rolls out that she was crumbing and frying and 1 dozen mince samoosas ready to fry for her husband, I smiled to myself when I saw them. Her baby was parked in his pram in one corner, I went to tickle and coo at him, he is just too cute!
Shireen was frantically trying to put her chicken tarkaree together, she was loudly complaining to Sumaya that there is just no barkaat in time now days, "I don't know if these aloos will even get done, lucky Bilal won't eat curry, you know how he likes soft soft aloo only"
A loud yell sent her scurrying from the kitchen, she just knew her sons were up to no good.
I quickly got out my marinade ingredients onto the furthest counter top when MiL dearest walked in..."Sumaya leave all this and go see Talha, he was fighting with the twins! You only making one savoury? Bilal can't eat one type only, poor man is rozdaar too you know. Leave it, leave it...too late now, we'll just make do...
Let me check this tarkaree, bechari shireen, she got her hands full with those 'two twins' of hers, areh areh"
I could have sworn I saw Sumaya roll her eyes and wink at me as she left the kitchen...did she? Must be my imagination!
"Fatima what you doing with all that khatbhat there, don't you want to go read Quraan before iftaar..." (guess with nobody else left in the kitchen, it was my turn now...)
"Gee mummy, I just want to marinate some steak for Imraan then Il go"
"oh I already gave masaalah to that steak, you have to masaalah steak early, then its hawaat...Imraan likes my crushed chille masaala from small too"
Nasreens voice shouted 'say something, say something' in my head.
But my MiL had already moved on to complaining about Sumaya , "so much teel Sumaya frys in, well all will get jara jara...not enough her rung is all wrong now she wants to get jari too...lucky her two didn't get her complexion"
I just mumbled thank you and walked out. (Score: MiL-2, Me-Nil)
After iftaar I could barely keep my eyes open...I was just beyond tired. Imraan came into the room and saw me laying down, "You oki TiMwah?" he asked touching my forehead lightly.
"Gee baby, just so so sleepy."
"You must take it easy..why don't you sleep early, leave those steaks out for me, I won't wake you up later"
I smiled sleepily in thanks , only after he left for tarawee I dragged myself to retrieve the old ice cream container of steak from the fridge, (guess you can't put that much arad in real tupperware) and then I realised I forgot to tell him its not BBQ...ohh 0!
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