Syra Amir loves travelling the world. So it helps that she works as a photojournalist for a popular travel magazine.
So when she accidentally selects the wrong destination when booking a flight, she decides to go with the flow and travel to this pla...
I was at Hareem Khalla's house with Mama for a lovely dinner. It was just us ladies this evening: me, Mama, Khalla and Ifra. Khalla had made roasted chicken with boiled vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and mashed potatoes, along with gravy. A very British meal.
My phone buzzed and I glanced down at it where it rested beside my plate.
<Musa: I'm bored.>
I bit back a smile.
<Syra: Isn't it like 1 am there? Go to sleep, yaar!>
<Musa: I can't sleep. Missing my entertainment😉.>
<Syra: Would you like me to tell you a story or something?>
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"Syra? Have some more, sweetheart!" Hareem Khalla scooped some mashed potatoes onto my plate before adding another Yorkshire pudding.
"Thank you, Khalla, but I'm stuffed. No more, please." I pleaded with her.
"The dessert remains." Ifra grinned at me.
"And what's for dessert?" I asked.
"Gajjar ka halwa. You like it, right?" Khalla smiled at me.
*Gajjar (carrot) ka halwa (pudding) is a carrot based sweet dessert made by placing grated carrots in a pot containing a specific amount of water, milk, sugar and cardamom, and then cooking while stirring.
"You made gajjar ka halwa?" Mama asked her sister doubtfully.
"Ifra did after asking Anaya Bhabi for recipe."
<Musa: Tell me a story about Khwabpur!>
<Syra: 👩🏽📷🧑🏽🐎>
<Musa: Emoji story? Really?🤨>
"I hope we're not disturbing you, Syra." Khalla gave me a knowing smile.
Mama glared at me. "Syra, it's impolite to use your phone, not only at the dinner table, but also amongst a gathering."
"Sorry." Cheeks warmed, I pushed the phone away from me far enough away so that I couldn't read the messages.
"Let her be, guys. The distances must be unbearable." Ifra teased.
I've said it before, I'll say it again. Ifra and Jannah would make amazing friends.
Khalla laughed. "You're free to use your phone, Syra. I'm sure our Damad Ji would be eager for a chat."
Everyone laughed at my expense, but I simply shook my head. Narrowing my eyes at Ifra, I said, "One day, I'll be the one doing the teasing, In Sha Allah."
