Expensive Cell Phone in Karachi? No way!

Karachi is a wonderful city. It has taught me so much. The value of a cell phone for one thing. For two years I went around fearlessly on the streets of Karachi telling myself, girls don't get robbed here! And then one fine morning during Ramazan, I was hurrying to my stop when these men came on a bike and said, "Madam, phone do!" And just like that, it was gone. I never kept any expensive phone during my university days. Still, I bought one from my internship money which wasn't so bad. And someone stole it out of my bag in a public bus!
Reading Shaheryar's blog post reminded me of the times I've been lucky. They're actually quite funny, the times I've "almost" lost my cell phone. See, when university ended, I asked my parents for a more expensive phone. I was cautious about carrying it outdoors. But when you're out with friends without a care of the world, you tend to lose focus. Especially if it's an amusement park.
I was with my sister and friends and we were at this ride which is all darkness except a screen. In the midst of being thrown around and laughing at my friend who was scared to death, I got this feeling that my phone plopped out of my purse and fell on the floor. My heart stopped. It was so dark and we had strangers sitting behind us. What if someone else got hold of it before me when the light came back?
So I told my sister, call my phone! And she was like, whaaaat? It took a while to explain to her what I wanted her to do. When she got her phone out and dialed my number, I saw a light on the floor. Ta-da! Phone found. *phew* That was a really close call. Of course, I ruined the whole ride for myself and my sister because of it. =D
This other time, we were going to our university Annual Dinner and I was hell excited since this was probably the last thing we'd be invited to formally. As I got off the taxi and moved towards the gate happy and proud of being the honorable graduate, I thought I heard someone calling me. My sister had my phone in her hand. The taxi driver had noticed something on the back seat and called her for it. Whoops! That was embarrassing.   I have a feeling the driver didn't know it was a phone, with it being in a case and the colorful dangling. Or maybe he was just an honest person. But that's very unlikely on the streets of Karachi. It's sad really. There have been other times I've lost my phone but usually I tend to look out for it as if it's my child I'm taking around. Sure hope I don't drop my kid in an amusement park ride ever O.o

The Cutest Couple on Earth

My Nana Nani (Grandfather & Grandmother) are two people who have literally spent a lifetime together, mashAllah. They got married at a very young age, back when there was no Pakistan. My Nana wasn't very educated. But he was honest and hard working. After migration, they went through very tough times. Moreover, first four kids born couldn't survive. Just when things started to look bleak, Nana just left it all to Allah. And asked for guidance. Then he started his dairy in new town. And he worked hard. It was a success. Things started looking good now. They had 8 children later, of which my mom is the youngest daughter.

We weren't ever very close to Nana Nani as kids because we used to live in Bahrain, then KSA. But for our University degree, me and my sister had to come live with them here in Karachi. Though we know that it's a huge favor to our parents, keeping us here, Nana never takes it that way. He says it's us who are here for them.

Grandparents have a soft corner for grandchildren, rather than children. So we enjoy many privileges living with them a lot. Hehe. At times, my mom can't believe the things he allows us. The thing is, my Nana moves with the times as well as holds onto old values. He listens, he tries to understand things.

He even bought an mp3 player a few months back and had me put his old favorite songs in it. :)

My Nani is a bit old fashioned. She says she should not wear bright colored saris anymore because she's old now. When we insisted, she said, but your Nana likes me in white. When we asked Nana, he says, "No, why? Abhi to tum jawan ho!" ("You're still young")

On anniversaries Nana puts his arm around Nani for photos but she gets all shy and keeps saying, ok now that's enough now. Nani can't walk much without her walker (zimmer frame) Nana prepares her breakfast in the morning and brushes her false teeth at night. Yesterday Nana had to go for his hernia surgery and when he said goodbye to Nani, she shed a few tears. She couldn't sleep all afternoon. When he returned in the evening, he looked tired and weak. He shook hands with Nani and kissed her hands. :) This morning I was up just to see if everything is ok with Nana, he was praying. Nani was still asleep. Nana went to her and "phooked" over her.

They don't speak as much because I suppose they don't need to, having lived 60+ years together. But it's adorable to see how concerned they get about each other. My Nani just has this way of knowing when things aren't right. A day before Nana was diagnosed with hernia, Nani felt worried just like that for him. They do drive each other crazy at times but get over it quickly by just exclaiming, "kya tumhe!!!"

There are so many things to be learnt from them and I pray that they share together a long long happily ever after. And looking at them brings hope this kind of true love, that endures through thick and thin, really does exist. :)

Photo: Nana & Nani with their youngest.

Joanna visits Karachi

When I told my mom in January about a sweet lady from England I made friends with on the internet, I did not expect I’d get a chance to meet her. That too, so soon. It’s only been a few months since I’ve known Joanna Vroom and I owe it to twitter.

Luckily I’m in Karachi when it’s her first visit to Pakistan and I got a chance to go meet her.

Then my mom arrived on Friday and she got to meet Jo Aunty as well the same day. Mr Arshad was kind enough to bring her here to see all the cats we have upstairs.

She met my grandparents, my mom, my sister, my mamu, my mamis, my khala, my cousin and even my mami’s granddaughter. And of course, all the cats. Jo Aunty greeted everyone with “Assalam alaikum” =)

My nani was so excited especially since she had an excuse not to go for her blood test as Jo Aunt would be coming over. Nani kept saying, “kitni gori hain” and giggling. We translated the conversation between both the ladies.

Jo Aunty looked really nice in shalwar qameez though she couldn’t really handle the dupatta. And she brought gifts which was so thoughtful. She asked me if I had tweeted that she’s here and so I did. I conveyed Nimra’s (@hubristic) message to her and we talked about why Sara (@sarakhalili) doesn’t like cats. (She’s scared of them =P)I wish she could have stayed longer, it was so much fun. I really hope I get to meet her again, if she visits us in KSA or we go to UK or she comes again to Pakistan.