Imagination #23 ~Siblings~

09:00PM

She sneaked out of her house trusting her sister to cover up behind her. “Strict parents tend to create world’s best liars”, We have heard and read this so many times. These two were the ideal specimens for the line. She had a dramatic escape. No, she did not climb down the vine beside her window. She lay past her lovable dog from the front door, who had a habit of kissing her all over the face, even when he was tired. It was a miracle he did not wake up, when her scent passed by him. To be honest, she was a little disappointed. But saved it for another day; she had to get to his house that night, which could turn into something memorable for her to count for the time to come. Her sister continued keeping an eye on their parent’s bedroom until she was out and ‘safe’ in the street. The escape lasted 38 minutes. She was obviously pissed, but thinking about her sister made her blush. Beautiful moments awaited her…

07:00AM
She eagerly waited for her sister to come back home. With a tinge of nervousness that her parents might wake up and ask for her and with the excitement of asking her sister about everything that happened last night, she was standing near their parent’s bedroom door guarding it like a keeper. She was finally relieved when she saw her sister hoping like a little girl from the window. She unlatched the door and shushed her sister who was opening her mouth with big round eyes, probably too excited to narrate the story about “the night”. They tip-toed to their bedroom and she threw herself on the bed. “So, what happened?”, she could not contain her curiosity. “You won’t believe what happened!” she said remembering all the fun she had last night. “What? What? Tell me!”, she pulled her back to the present. “We watched Baby looney tunes, the entire night! You won’t believe, he has all the DVDs!! And then we had chicken wings with coke! Oh, it was the best night ever! I never imagined him to surprise me with something like this.”, she said with eyes full of happiness and heart full of love for him. Her sister stood up, “WHAT!! I guarded like an effin’ dog, just so that you could watch a cartoon with your boy friend??? Are you serious?”, She shouted. “I know right. Honestly, it was a turn down at first, when he made me sit in front of the TV to watch the show, but I swear, I got so interested in it, I forgot why I was there in the first place. It was like revisiting our childhood again and he made that possible. I love him more now.”, she said and blushed. Her sister calmed down looking at her. It was not totally a waste though. She just said, “All right, I will let you go this once.” And hugged her sister. She sat beside her and continued, “By the way, can I borrow the DVDs from my possible would-be-brother-in-law?” Her sister blushed again and said a squirmy “yes” from behind the pillow.

#TG
P.S: Of course, it could have been better if my vocabulary was a bit vast.

Shall we?

This is the first time, I fell for someone like you.
My friends don't understand this jump that I've made from the cliff,
but that doesn't matter. You are nothing like I had imagined but still
you have every quality that strikes the lines off my list.
At times I wonder, if this was meant to be or are we just another fling.

You're a flirt, they say.
Someone who had a past with a lot of 'ladies'.
Someone who made 'em cry and I hear that a lot.
From people who hate you and from people who think you're handsome as well.
I do not yet have the courage to ask you this ever though we have shared moments. Moments which carry meaning deeper than you'd expect.
I wonder if you feel the same.

But you should know that this is the first time I've fallen for someone like you.
Someone who everyone talks bad about.
Why do they not see, what I saw in you when you made me laugh?
When I defend you, they say that's your charm.
They say that's how you did it before.
They wouldn't know, would they?
They are only jealous. I know they are. It can't be... can it?

These people keep talking negative about you,
Should I listen to them?
They do not know that after every joke you crack on me
you hold my hand in secret just to ask “That didn’t feel bad, did it”
“No, it didn’t. But don’t do it again” I say.
“Sure” you blab and do the same thing over and over again
They do not know how homely that feels.

Is it okay to be so positive about someone?
Maybe this is what crushes are like
They make you feel as though they can do no wrong
Without a flaw… Oh no no no, wait, there’s something
I really do hate it when you boss me around
I know you’re older than me but do you even realize
you sound like an aunty at times, who nags her niece and nephews
when they try to have fun??

All right, I know you don’t drink and don’t smoke as much as others do
But you know that thing that you keep chewing all the time
You do understand that it affects you the same way the other things do right?
Just quit it already!
See, not really un-flawed, but yet... yet…

Thinking about it again, there is not everything about you that I like.
Some things make me question myself… why did I fall for this man?
Why did we get this close? Why did we share those moments?
Recalling how all of this started, I cannot seem to find the exact point
It was all so natural. There was no sudden click and bamm!
‘We found love’ or ‘Love at first sight’ types. The flow just went on naturally.
We came close and closer, in a short span of time,
But a meaningful span of life

The others may say what they say
I would like to believe that either they hate you because
they cannot be like you or cannot be with you
Coz if they could be you, they’d know how beautiful you are from the inside
And if they could be with you, they’d know how lovable you could have made them feel

Of course, only God knows what will happen to us
The odds of us getting together are lesser than Jack sparrow getting another movie for the series and even lesser than ‘log kya kahenge?’ dying out of India.
Nevertheless, I would like to keep this feeling in my heart for this tick of the clock and for the next one. I might fall in harder and get this tiny lil’ heart broken.
But who cares, let’s just cry together when the time comes. Shall we?

#TG 

What is more important?

Here I am, finally, intruding the ‘writer’s block’. Writing about how far I’ve come from where I left last. I was in college enjoying, chilling with people I thought I would never be departed from. The ones I thought will stay forever. “We will work at the same company” “We will stay in the same apartment and go on short trips to hills and beaches” and much more. Even then we knew that none of that was going to happen. We still said that just so that we could remember those moments and smile. Just to create memories. Just to relive those through the roads in our minds. We had different dreams, we knew right from the start that we were going to be apart in the end. Still…
Where is life standing now? Are you happy the way it is? I get asked this question a lot. Honestly, I do not know how to answer. I don’t even know what to answer when people ask me “What do you keep writing in that book of yours?” How will I answer about life when I am not sure what goes on in my own mind? Too philosophical isn’t it? I know, I tend to wander while I write. I don’t think I’ll ever rectify this habit.
Anyway, let us talk about facts. I have acquired a job. A job which is no where related to the degree that I carry. Yes, my family is upset about this. My uncles have already passed me down their “much-sought-advice” on how wrong I am in leading my life. “this is the start of your career, do not spoil it” “this work is not worth it” “Helping your mom in house-hold work is better than this” “It will not make people respect you” STOP!

I know it is sad when your family is upset because of you. But it is even sadder when you family does not care enough to listen to you. To sit down with you and just listen. Listen to your dreams. Read your stories and understand what it means. Listen to what made you write those. Listen to how they inspired you. I get this question often “How and when did you start writing?” The answer will always be “I am not sure, since childhood, I guess” Now that I think to it, I know exactly how this started. My dad brought me diaries and books; my mom made me write letters to him. To write in those letters about what I wanted when he returned to us, about how I was doing, about just anything. Slowly, I realised I was not just doing that for her sake, I was doing it because I liked it. I realised this even slowly, that writing, was in fact my passion. I asked myself this question, “Can something be so important in your life, that you would be ready to give up your time with your family and just leave, without regret?” Yes, there is. And I mean it. This might sound harsh, but I think I can never be able to stop writing, but I will at a point be able to live without them. Materialistic. Maybe.

This job that I am at. Customer service in as company big as this with a low pay. I know I might not be able to reach the point where in I could achieve my dream, but at this moment. This very moment. I am writing. I am close to my love – typing letters on those pretty black keyboards. Helping people with words. It is a simple job. I am only doing what others are doing. But, the fact that I type every day, whatever it maybe, holds lot more meaning to me, than just being another advisor in customer service. I am practically living my dream. Kind of. I would say.

I live alone, yes, I know with three other girls in the same room, but still alone. I don’t yet prepare my food, but I am filling my stomach with my own money. I go back to my room, whenever I feel like. I write and read late at night or early in the morning. I sleep at what times suits best for me (just saying, the command centre decides this, not me :P). I go to places carrying a bag-pack and click pictures of pretty things on the way. I am in command of my time. I may not be living an ideal life, but I am happy. Happy in this moment being surrounded by people who listen to my stories and do not judge me (yes, this is for you, glevi). Happy in this moment being able to fulfil some part of my dream. Happy in this moment while I smile and breathe. Happy that I am not being idle, that I am for a fact helping people with the little things. I have taken more than 300 chats in the last 2-3 months, and I can ‘confirm’ that I have properly helped at-least 50 of them (I know the stats don’t say so, but ache log kaha lete hai surveys :/). How many people have you helped in the entire year? So, laying this question out to everyone who think customer service makes people not respect you. What is more important? You, respecting yourself and knowing your worth or working to achieve approval from others by doing something against your wishes.

#TG 24/11/2017

Random thoughts #6

Myeongdong was a dream but as we know reality is always a step away from what we want to happen. Still, the music in the background and the faces of the people showcasing similarities made it seem close to the expectation.
Amthan (anyway) , on a bright day or a peaceful lit night, with the love of my life or the person who defines my existence, we will be there. The belief is what makes the heart move forward. For if hope is lost, Taeyang won't ever meet you. But if you keep it alive in your heart, then once, at least once in your life you would study that which you wouldn't laze around from. It's all inside the big head that you carry around. After a while, you forget if you are writing all of it by becoming the first or the second person. Then again, I think there is a word for the type of writing that she writes. Every topic that starts never ends on the same note. The world being round, you can never think of meeting at the same point unless you have roamed the oceans and the climbed the mountains.
Myeongdong, like I said, is a dream. We will be there, someday, gracing through the stores and shuffling through the delicacies, finding all the look-a-likes of Dong gu and Bo young and hoping to meet them in the lanes lit with neon lights and 'glamourized' by 'cheer up baby' and 'bang bang gang' and 'pi ttam nunmul'.

P.S: Went to commercial street, heard Sunday prayer from the church and saw people with tiny eyes among other things.

#StyZie

Random Thoughts #5

This last semester made me experience things that I hadn’t imagined. No, wait, I did imagine them. It’s only that I wasn’t sure if all of it will ever happen in my life. I thought it would take a lot of time, when stuff like that would finally find its way around me.

Thanking the people who came into my life, I am overwhelmed. If it weren’t for them, it wouldn’t have been possible. The stains of ink on my wish-list are finally coming alive and blossoming. In a month, probably, my life is going to go through the biggest change. I am happy, nervous and waiting eagerly for it to happen. I am not sure as to what should I be expecting from it. The only thing that I want right now are the people who make me feel alive, by my side.

#TG

Imbalance Anatomy

What comes to your mind when you read the word ‘Empowerment’? Let me guess, WOMEN, right? This is the problem which is creeping into our society bit by bit making the entire system crippled. What about the men who haven’t got their piece of cake? Don’t they deserve to make their own choice? Let’s look at the entire scenario.

A baby boy is born in the family. Happiness all around, people cheering, the entire house is enlightened. Uh uh, don’t be mistaken. They aren’t genuinely happy about his birth but are pleased by thinking about the fact that he is going to be their caretaker for the life. Yes, he, who came out of the womb two days ago, is already a man in their thoughts.

He grows up slowly and expectations rise thousand times faster. They want him to be strong-Physically and mentally. He must hold hid tears in the darkest of hour and act like Hercules even if his skin is ripped in the process. Only to let the thought, “Men don’t get hurt” live longer.

Even so, a girl must face problems much bigger than these. Her wings are chained the moment she dreams of flying heights. Her thoughts are termed baseless and her existence undefined. She suffers pain in each step of her life and yet she is expected to be gentle and calm.

Her problems grow with every rising sun and finally, after centuries of torment, she is being considered. People began thinking, placing themselves in her situation. They realised that she is in pain and her sufferings had to end. Virtuous beings stood up for her right. They praised and admired her. The government enforced laws. She is supposed to be happy but, we still hear grieves more than laughter. Whenever a girl comes out of her house to fight for her right, she gets into much larger trouble rather than overcoming it. People talk, judicial systems take time and money both; but once in pain, always in pain. Instead of getting the respect and support, she is being eliminated and decisions are biased.

This thing has affected the other side too. Men are being labelled as ‘criminals’ by default. Women harassment cases are overly examined troubling both ‘him’ and ‘her’; most of them being false. What about a harassed man? How many times have we seen them talk freely about the tortures they faced? Shouldn’t she think twice before accusing him? Why does a woman sometimes forget that she is a daughter, sister, wife and a mother when men are constantly reminded of this? When a girl gets pushed by a guy, it is teasing her. And accordingly, it’s the mistake of the guy even if he is being pushed by a girl, “Weren’t you purposely standing in front of me?”

Neither she nor he is satisfied. She never gets justice and he is always accused. Both are innocent and both are distressed.

Revolutionising society is a success only if it contributes to the betterment of both the sets. Refining one and disregarding the other would never aid the world. Working in collaboration is the only solution. Women of the present generation are not weak. They do not need reservations and constant supervision. They can work things on their own. And men, need to be given similar respect as the women. They do not want people to expect more than they can. They have their own dreams and full right to choose whatever profession to live with.

At the end of the day, we are not complete without each other. We need to honour and accept every individual. Working for the betterment of one pack should be modified to working in correspondence for the entire world. Only then will it be healed and turn into a better place to live.

Presenting Gong Yoo!

Finding a person to talk to about the topic that excites you is so difficult in this growing world of possibilities. I have always had this problem ranging from the music I like and the words I connect to. One such field is the KDrama world. It’s always interesting when you find a twin head with the same thoughts hovering. Luckily I got in touch with one, after almost 7 years of dissolution. It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, KDramas never fail to entertain you. A place where all your crush experiences keep rejuvenating. Best part? They don’t leave anyone hanging. Everybody is treated (if you know what I mean :P) Lately I, like so many others have found my new bias (typical term) in the Goblin star – Gong Yoo :*

Today I met a drama fanatic as I promised to share some dramas and the first question that the person asks me is, ‘that goblin actor; isn’t he is a bit old?’ and I go turning heads with a weird expression trying to hide the rage (it wasn’t all that steamy though because I have already been asked as to why all my crushes are above the age line). I then nicely explain, that he is ONLY 37 and ‘you should have seen him smile in ‘Coffee Prince’’ 

That one line kept resonating for the next hour and I feel the need to defend him. (Before I start, I thank that person sincerely for asking the question because I finally get to write about something after almost 2 months of blank spaces. Khamsamnida :P) I had never really put a thought as to why I liked him so much but now that I think of it, there is a list. So, here it goes.

💓1.  What is the definition of ‘old’? In the drama ‘Goblin’, the lead Ji Eun Tak (or Goblin’s bride as we know her) calls him ‘Ahjushi’ (elderly man) all the time and everybody loved it. If old means wrinkles, then no, he hasn’t reached that phase yet. If old means cracked voice, then no, it’s sheer melody. If old means dislocated and crooked limbs, then dude! He is NO where close to it. And if old means age, let’s talk about it over a glass of wine.

💓2.The physique is marvellous and the sensuousness is exceptional. Who wouldn’t want a piggy back ride clinging to those shoulders? (excuse me while I drool)

💓3. One quality in men that most girls would agree to be a major turn on is ‘husky’ voice. The dialogues from Goblin are already ringing in my ears. (Cheos sarang ieossda )

💓4.  Pretty face is not difficult to come by, what I seek is personality. And he works fine in both the department. The humbleness and his choice of words he uses (in his interviews) made me fall for him over again. The kind of vibe he exfoliates is fresh and light.

💓5. In another of his interview he was asked about what he thinks about his fans and the people who fall for a celebrity. Normally celebs say that the fans should not confuse the actor with the character he/she plays because it isn’t them. What he said was, ‘People accept when somebody says they have fallen in love with someone at first sight. But people laugh when somebody says they have fallen for a celebrity whom they saw on the screen. The latter is normal too 'coz after all we’re also humans.’ He gives fangirling a green signal. (couldn’t find the link to the interviewL)

💓6.The age? Mark Twain once said "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Nope, it doesn’t.

💓7.  One of the most important things in Kdramas – Kiss scenes (rated 5 on 5 myself (by mere visuals of course(sigh!))). Okay, I know it is not going to make any difference but treat for the eyes is important too.

💓8. His name. His real name is Gong Ji Chul but he goes by his stage name, Gong Yoo which is the combination of his dad’s and mom’s family name (that is so freaking cuteeee). How many times have we seen somebody do that?

💓9. Acting, that for which he is famous. Be it Coffee prince, Finding Mr.Destiny, Big, Goblin or A man and a woman, he is outstanding as always. On top of that, he can sing! Mmmm mmmm…

💓10. HIGHLIGHT – His smile. Instant mood lightener. My day can go from worst to ‘one of the best days ever’ in seconds.

💓11. He is single :P (as if that would make any difference)

💓12. Honourable mention-  the left eyebrow lift. Sassy!! He winks and then shys like a teenager. Awwwwwww!!! How in the world can you not fall for him? just how!!

Why surpass all this just because of a number? Just why? He is a package and fans all over the world have approved of it.

P.S: Hopeless fangirl in the making. 

#TG 

Random Thoughts #4

As time leaps and I grow older each day, the thought of monotheism becomes intense. The thought of living like a hermit except that you leave out the people and not your dreams. Like a nomad- who does what he does wants to.

I’ve been realizing that happiness is so difficult to come by when you are surrounded by negative energy. Worst part, you ask? That is when this energy is from the people you live with. These aren’t just people, they are the doors which I need to push open to get to my dreams. Difficulty level increases because the door has been closed for years and I do not possess any sort of oil or grease to loosen the grip. Well, I cannot even find the keyhole, let alone the key. So, you see, no point.

I need to find another way or probably a hole in the wall perfect enough for me to cross the line.

Reality?

It’s so difficult to just get out of the house and my mind wanders places. With every passing day, the world news worsens and so does the life of a girl. I really thought that those typical Indian women exaggerated about living life in a nutshell. I thought they said so because they didn’t have the courage to follow their dream and break the gate.

But now, the sky seems clearer. I’ve got courage, passion for my dreams, fire burning inside and almost everything that a woman might require to survive in this world alone. But still…

I see what the problem is now; They never ask you; they never let you; they never ever are going to understand you. Most fucked up part of the story is that you ‘need’ them to let you be. Their permission and approval is going to decide a future that you must cope with.

It’s not that I don’t care for my family. I do value them and I don’t hate them. It’s just that the box I’m living in has run out of oxygen and I’ve started developing claustrophobia. Why is it so difficult for them to understand that, which is made of them.?

#StyZie

Random Thoughts #3

Looking back at all that I’ve done and tried doing, there only seem to be two things that I’ve been consistent at. These two habits, irrespective of the place I moved to and the emotions I went through remained the same. The habits in fact are two games and the only two games that haven’t left my interest ever since I started playing those. The first is Solitaire and the second Sudoku.

Now that I think about it, they have lessons to teach too. Today as I was slashing through the cards, winning and sometimes getting the dialog box saying ‘No More Moves’; giving up then and at times pressing Ctrl+z, a thought came to my mind. It is not just a game where you stack the cards and order them to get rid of them, it tells us not to give up. There is always a way to win it and it does not have to be the same path. Even if you miss two-three matches that had to be done in a pass, there are always ways to make it up to it later. Even if you run out of moves, you can undo your doing and move a card back. Of course, we do not have such privilege in real life as this game that we are on, is time based which, showing off its stubborn attitude doesn’t wait for anything or anybody. But I still feel, there are ways, ways in which you can make up to what went wrong. Because if we try, we might fail again, but if we don’t, the statistics just won’t change.

Contrasting to this one, is Sudoku. It just has a single way of solving it. I guess it tells us about some places where only that one thing needs to be done to get the puzzle right. Excluding time, it might mean to just put the right number in and you are done. The trick is to not give up and be on it, to bear it, to not lose interest, to strive for the complete picture. My father was the one who taught me how to work it out. And to this date, whenever I see the block, it reminds me of him. At present, there is stuff between us, that probably cannot be sorted any time soon, because there is no problem which needs solution, there is just vacuum. I’ll have to figure this 5-star rated block. I hope there’s still time left. Writing this makes me emotional; thinking about the time when I first solved the block and was so happy when I beat an elder cousin at it. I was proud of it. I used to have this thought whenever I ended up being sad, ‘Don’t worry, He is there. He is with you, no matter what.’ It used to relieve me of all doubts. This one line gave me peace. Life’s changed… Even so, I’m happy that Sudoku still remains with me and it will always remain reminding me of my roots.

Yet again it is the ‘things’ that bring you back on the right track. And still people say not to be materialistic. Sometimes you just have to and need to value that sheet of paper more than the person who gave it to you. Because the person might have left while the emotion still lives within the dead tree making you think for once, that life… life is not as bad as it is made to seem.

P.S: It is 1:00 in the night and there is no internet connection. I am listening to Korean songs. No, I don’t understand the language, of course except some words (thanks to all the dramas). But I feel as though the emotions are similar. The tune somehow tells me what might the song be about. Maybe that’s the beauty of music. No matter the language, it is bound to make you feel. It is all about the right notes and the right rhythm.

#StyZie

Random Thoughts #2 ~Keep Shining~

Weird how our feelings work. People closest to us make us sad and the people who are unaware of our existence turnout to be the soothers. One such thing is currently gracing the path I’m walking on.

Recently, I had been going through lot of emotional torture. Something I cannot explain to the people who caused it. Some who understand me and can share the pain are unaware of all this because I don’t know how to explain it to them either. For all those I’d like to say, do not worry, I’m doing all fine now.

I was so sad, I didn’t come out of my room for quite a time. For that time, I tried cheering myself up. I failed. But then I came across a drama called ‘Coffee prince’. There is this actor who plays the lead, Gong Yoo. I simply watched the drama because it was on my list since a long time (being a KDrama fan makes you have an endless list). But when I saw that person smiling, I, somewhat, forgot stuff that had been bothering me. I cannot really explain what this feeling is exactly. But I know one thing for sure that I am at peace now.

Also, something I thought would never happen, happened. I am not a big fan of kids (my friends know this quite well :P) but those tiny little bugs really helped too. A variety show by the name ‘Return of Superman’ made me want to look at life brightly. It is about Fathers staying with their kids for 2 days straight without their wives to help them. It’s fun really. For all the lost souls, I’d surely recommend this show.

So why am I writing all this suddenly? Well, I am all cheer now. Currently listening to songs from the drama ‘Goblin’ which also has Gong Yoo in it :P I’m officially in  the fan club now. This one has the best set of OST any Korean drama has ever had. Of course, ‘Descendants of the sun’ and ‘Secret Garden’ and ‘Legend of the blue sea’ and ‘Only you’ by Siwon were amazing too. But there is a sense of peace and calmness in every track.

For people who are sad right now, I’d just like to say to hang on. Like the old saying goes, ‘There is no rainbow without the rain.’ You never know how God has decided to cheer you up so don’t give up. Keep shining:)

#StyZie 

Stereotypes and Us.

Bell rang and the class was done. I arranged the books, took my bag and left the class only after all the students had moved out. Teaching wasn’t my passion, but it made me remember the old days I had with him. I never wanted to end studying. I didn’t want those moments to ever pass away. Those moments cannot be to the least compared to anything that later came through my life.

Opening my lunch box, I saw one of my student, Amish. He seemed sad, so, I approached him.

Me: Hello.

Amish: Hello ma’am.

Me: Had food?

Amish: Not in the mood.

Me: Is everything alright?

He looked at me and said, ‘Can I ask you few questions?’ I took a seat and asked him to continue. ‘Ma’am, why can’t a boy marry a girl elder than him, while she can marry a boy elder than her?’ He looked at me for an answer. After giving it a thought, ‘A girl ages faster than a boy. So, it is done that way.’

Amish: But it is nowhere said that a boy must marry a girl younger than him.

Me: Hmmm...

Amish: Then why don’t people understand? Why doesn’t the society understand? When a girl says no, why can’t they understand? Instead use the word ‘characterless’ for her? Is it forbidden to fall in love?

Me: May be the next generation will understand these situations.

Amish: So, you mean till then our generation must compromise or suffer?

I was speechless as to how could I tell him what might be the possibilities that can happen next. I saw him walking out outraged. I sat there silently.

At the end of the day, I called my husband to pick me up. As he answered the call, I heard Arzan blabbing and I guessed that he might be going out with his second wife; whom he married after watching me grow old quickly as I was elder than him.

Him: Yeah Meshal, Najma wanted to go to the mall for shopping, so I am taking her out. Hire a taxi to come home, don’t come in bus. Okay, I will call you later, I am driving, bye.

And he hung up. I didn’t want to distract my mind because I had to catch a bus and then prepare food for dinner.

On reaching home, Samiha opened the door.

Samiha: Where is your husband?

Me: He is your dad, Samiha.

Samiha: Who doesn’t respect my mother. He went for shopping again, right? She distracts him and he gets distracted, while you sit waiting for him.

Me: It’s useless to argue with you.

I went to the kitchen to prepare food for dinner but saw that Samiha has already chopped vegetables for me. How beautiful it is to see your daughter doing the household work but also sad to see that she will have to leave the house soon.

It was 10 at night when they all arrived with big bags. I hope he remembered our daughter too while buying things. But may be his mind was too busy collecting things. I set the table and called everyone to have food including Samiha who was in no mood to eat with them. I stayed back as usual to have it at last.

Him: Najma, did you prepare this curry?

Before Najma could boast, Samiha interrupted.

Samiha: If only aunt could get time from her contouring, she would have entered the kitchen.

Him: She is your mother.

Samiha: Yeah, the one who prepared the food.

I indicated her to sit quiet but she lacked controlling her anger. Obviously, a daughter cannot see her mother in pain.

Samiha: By the way, aunt will cook for you soon, as I got a job and they are providing me an apartment too. I will be shifting there with my mother.

Him: I better fix you with your cousin sooner.

Samiha: Yeah, who too will not be able to control his heart and marry another woman? No Thank you, I am fine by myself.

And finally, the war ended. How many times will I have to tell her to respect him or sit quiet if she can’t talk something sweet, but she never listens to me and all I could see is, him going more far from me.

At midnight, when I was done with all the chores, I started to prepare for tomorrow’s class. Hearing voices outside; I opened the door and went out to see. A new family had moved in. I went to offer some help introducing myself that I lived in the floor above them. They seemed nice, full of fun. While working, the lady talked to me about her family and asked about mine.

Lady: How many kids you have?

Me: One; girl.

Lady: I saw a boy coming out early this morning.

Me: He is my husband’s second wife’s son.

Lady: Oh.

I gave a slight smile responding to hers.

Lady: Why did he marry again? It’s okay if you don’t want to answer.

I simply lied to her, telling that he needed a boy. She seemed satisfied with the answer.

Lady: Arrange marriage?

Me: No

Lady: Ours too is not arranged, I used to reject all the proposals, break pots and all. Finally, when there were no proposals coming for me my parents let me marry him. My family was against us because we were breaking the community rules.

She laughed saying that.

Me: What rules?

Lady: I am elder to him by 5 years, so everyone was like filling my mind.

Hearing that calmed my heart. Not all marriages end this way. Going to our apartment I saw Samiha. She might have overheard everything.

Samiha: Why didn’t you say that you became old fashioned for your husband?

None of her taunt mattered that time.

Samiha: Why are you smiling?

Me: One of my student was upset today, having the same situation, rising the same question which I raised once. He was asking “Why can’t a boy marry a girl elder than him?”

Samiha: You would have narrated your beautiful story.

Me: I would but I think it is not applicable for everyone. Some people do live happily.

-me$hal-