what life brings

pakistan

chapter five

Picking my last language, I scowled at it heaviness, I wish dad came with us, but he said he was too busy with ‘business’.

“What the heavens you packed in there Ayesha?” mom asked, hints of tiredness dripped from her voice like an iceberg melting, of course we were tired from the long travelling from Canada to Pakistan.

“Nothing, just clothes and books”, I reply as we enter the huge Manson my paternal grandparents owns. Man It was too big for only 3 small families living here, however I couldn’t keep control of my mouth.

“Isn’t it too big for living mom?” I interrogated her.

“Ayesha please be quiet”.

“Alright” I rolled my eyes. The mansion is beautifully designed with 15 huge rooms on each floor and is equipped with magnificent modern furniture. OH GOD THEY CHANGED HOUSES IN SIX YEARS. Lately we were to stay at my grandma’s home, where my three uncles live. Two are recently married and have no kids, while my youngest uncle isn’t married yet.

“assalamalykum, how are you guys doing?” I called out to the people who came to greet us. “Anyways I’m so tired please show me my room, I will meet you guys at dinner”. My mom frowned at me; basically she was annoyed by my reaction.

“Okay, follow me Ayesha”, my youngest uncle bilal said, he’s still in his teenage like 19 or 20. I walked besides him as he took the luggage from my grasp.

“It’s okay I can handle it”, I commented.

“You look tired, let me help you”, a childish grin spread through his face. I nod in approval; we were silent until we reached our room. “If you need anything don’t call me, call the maids”. I giggled at his words.

“Okay mister, I won’t call you”. I waved him goodbye and unlocked my door. My room was huge unexpectedly; it had a huge king sized bed, a dressing table, a huge sofa or couch, a television and a bathroom. “Whoa, rich people” I mumbled.

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It was 9 when the dinner was served on the huge dining table which could hold approximately 25 people at its two opposite sides. My grandparents sat at the two corners and the rest of them sat at the long corners. The food menu held all the desi food you can ever eat. I couldn’t eat them because they were too oily, I was frustrated, I elbowed my mom who was busy eating.

“Mom, mom, I can’t eat these things” I whispered to her afraid if anyone can hear me.

“Why? I thought you loved desi foods”, she whispered back.

“Mom, please”

“Okay okay just pretend you are eating I will order something else for you later”. Bilal bhai was watching me the whole time I was whispering mom. Once again he grinned. What is with this guy? My grandparents from my dad sides are very strict and rude from my point of view; I am pretty scared of them. I pretended to be full and excused myself. I miss aleema already. I need to Skype her.

Entering my room I quickly fired up my laptop and logged in Skype. A sigh escaped through me as I saw aleema online, I video called her as I removed my hijab.

“Hey!! Is that you Ayesha?” aleema asked as she appeared on the screen.

“Of course its me, who else would it be?” I rolled my eyes at her.

“So how are you? How is Pakistan?”

“aleema I have so much to tell you, Pakistan is good. I’m staying in my grandparents from my father’s side, they have such a huge house here look at my room”, I rotated my laptop 360 degrees to give her a clear view of my large room.