"Mujhay tou yeh loug bahut achay lagey (I really like this family). Mashallah Ali is such a decent and well-mannered young man, shows that he has a good upbringing in a wonderful family environment," said Samina while sipping her tea the next morning after breakfast. "Mr and Mrs. Naqvi were such gracious hosts as well."
"Haan bhui I am really satisfied that our Sara is getting married into such a respectable and well educated family," added Salman. "It was a good idea to travel here and visit them personally, gives one a better idea of their ghar ka mahul (family environment)."
"I am glad you are well- satisfied Bhai and Bhabi. Getting a daughter married off is such a big responsibility and while parents always want the best for their children, agey sub qismet ka khail hai,(It's a matter of kismet)" said Huma sensibly.
"Bus abb Inshallah they are saying they will come in March for the Nikah ceremony to London, I will formally say "yes" in a day or two and.....
"And you will invite them over to our house for dinner on Christmas Evening. Bhui abb larki waley bhi tou khaatir karein, akhir ko abb woh hamara bhi honay wala damaad hai, (The girl's family should now play the gracious hosts and invite them over for dinner as he is now the future son-in-law)." said Raza in a pleasant tone.
"Bilkul theek Bhabi, (Yes exactly Bhabi) please invite them over when you call Mrs. Naqvi. We will have a formal dinner for them," agreed Huma.
"Aur kya that's the traditional way of doing things. Huma I will plan the menu, get ready to write it down. One whole turkey roasted, halal ofcourse, gravy and mashed potatoes with some roasted veggies on the side. This is in keeping with the Christmas spirit, chalo good girl write it down. The main menu will be Chicken Korma, Chicken Biryani, Dum ka Qeema, Mutton Karahi, Khattey Aaloo and Bagharey Baingan. For dessert we will do Kheer, mithai and Christmas pudding or cake.There should be at least three kinds of salads as well as raita and chutney. I will get Naan and Sheermal from outside. Also you should serve some simple starters such as....."
"Arey bhui bus! Raza you are too much!" said Samina laughing at Raza's enthusiastic listing down of the menu. "How will Huma manage to cook all this? Huma bus aik dou dishes bana lo (Just make one or two dishes) and I will cook some food too, Salman will get a few things from outside aur bus hogayee dawaat (And that will be a good enough dinner party)."
"Nahin nahin Bhabi (No, no Bhabi)I have trained Huma well, she will cook all this food in a day without any complaints. It took me a while to get her cooking standard up to mark but Mashallah I was very persistent and did not give up and I can proudly say that my wife is now a complete Masterchef thanks to my endeavors," replied Raza mischievously.
"Raza you are too much...saari mehnat meri behen ki aur sara credit tumhara? (All my sister's hard work and the credit is yours?)" questioned Salman jokingly.
"Haan tou theek hai na (Yes exactly right), after every great chef of a wife is a husband who is forever hungry for food."
"Raza abb bus bhi karo (Raza now stop it)," said Samina red in the face from laughing hard. "Huma you and I will decide on the menu ourselves and we'll cook together. Sonia can also help us, she loves to cook and is a much better cook than Sara who can only boil eggs and make tea. Allah reham karey Ali par, (May God have mercy on Ali)" she said rolling her eyes.
"Bhabi we will plan everything together but we will definitely do a grand dinner for our daughter's in-laws. I am so excited and happy that she is marrying into such a good family," said Huma in her usual soft and sensible manner.
YOU ARE READING
When The Stars Shine Bright
General Fiction"I think I will always want to aim for the stars; for they are always a guiding light. After all it is only in the darkest nights that the stars shine more brightly." That is what Nazia Ali wrote in her high school yearbook as her life defining quot...
