- by Farah Agha It was a normal day in my home, and I was busy doing housework and other things, when my favorite cousin Shunno called to say that she and her family were planning to visit me that very day and that they will be at my place in about eight hours. I was very happy and invited them over with my heart and soul. After I hung up the phone, there was a scene of fast-forward in our house. I assigned the kids their jobs, which they didn't want to accept in the middle of their relaxed day, I threatened them and they were helpless. Vacuuming sweeping, mopping, scrubbing bathrooms, changing sheets, emptying loaded trash cans, clearing up the foyer from colorful big and small shoes and sandals, folding up clean laundry and putting the unwashed in laundry were few of the chores that my 11 and 9 year old sons had to do. Now, one big tumultuous thought was battling with my deranged mind, and that was, what should be the menu for dinner. After some thinking, I decided to make chicken nihari with naan, gosht ka yakhni pulao with shammi kabaabs, dahi barey, salad and Ice cream cake for desert. I praised and applauded my self for being such a great hostess. As the time passed I saw things getting arranged, food being cooked, me being exhausted from imprecating, yelling and supervising incapable minor workers. I was working hard with my toddler at the same time to maintain the cleanliness such as changing her diaper, feeding her and cleaning her spills. All day I worked really hard, and it was tiring, but the joy of them coming over gave me strength and working became fun actually. Now I told the kids to take shower and to wear better clothes and instructed my 11-year-old to wear perfume too. While I took care of my toddler and myself, I decided to wear something that would make me look very nice and slim but at the same time I did not wanted to look specially dressed. That too was accomplished. My husband had come home and was very hungry. I offered him dahi phulki, but he wanted proper food, I told him to wait. Now it was almost time for them to come over. I was expecting them any moment. I could not wait, I could not think of anything else so I called my mother in Pakistan and told her that Shunno was coming. The first thing she asked was, if the house was clean. It made me very angry but all I said was "of course". I peeked from my window and stared outside at every parked car in parking lot. My heart was beating fast and my house was finally sparkling clean! The phone was ringing and I ran to pick it up. I felt they were near by and probably wanted directions. While, I was reaching the phone I thought I would tell them to stay where they are and send my husband over to show them the way back. Yes! It was Shunno, but she said something dreadful and I felt as if I was going to faint. In a daze, I hung up the phone saying, "ok, and khudahafiz". My husband asked, "Are they lost?" When I didn't answer he was concerned and inquired again. I had no energy to answer, instead I went upstairs and yelled "come eat dinner, they aren't coming". I slept without putting food in fridge or changing. I was tired exhausted, and most of all disheartened. I was very angry with my cousin. Why did she wait all day just to say a problem came up? Morning was no better; my husband kept on asking me what happened, "why didn't they come?" and other questions related to a topic that I wanted to avoid. That day was a regular day. Hamper was again receiving its dirty clothes; I did not care if there was shoe or two in foyer. And so on. I thought of Shunno all day, but did not call her to ask what happened or when would she plan to come again. To tell you the truth I did not care much. The third day was more relaxing I was in my baggy T-shirt, cooking karhi; bayson was all over my stove. There were specs of cilantro and onion peels could be seen on the floor, which I was going to clean after cooking. My older son had made trails of mud from his dirty scooter in the foyer, which he promised to clean after he was done playing outside. My toddler took off her diaper and was wearing only a small T-shirt. My younger son and daughter have a very unique habit of putting sofa cushions on floor and laying on them. I thought I would put them back after I am done cooking. Bedrooms were not made. The guest bathroom downstairs was looking as if it had never been given any attention. My entrance door was open to keep the smell of garlic and odor out from the house. When all of a sudden I heard people talking and laughing. "So what?" I thought. But these voices were coming nearer. The house was a disaster, but I concentrated on my burning pakoras and didn't think much of it. Then from behind, some one hugged me and with a peal of laughter said: " See? We came after all". |
