1: The blissful poverty
Three bald heads peaked behind a wall. I was standing by my angry mother. She knew my brothers had halved their haircut money: half they had spent to bald their heads, and treated themselves with some candy with the other half. The following weeks, my brothers exchanged the only yellow cap we had so as to appear presentable going to the English language academy.
2: ' And why were they killed? '
It was an empty period at school. Teacher entered our class and announced solemnly: there's been another target killing. I reached home to find no one. My mother for the next few months ironed my uncle's torn and bloodied cloths, every day. I can still recall the strong smell. Akram, on the tombstone of my uncle, planted a paper with a verse from Quran: ' and why were they killed? '. He then left for Australia as an asylum seeker.
3: Khoshi
A bright, crisp winter morning. I was taking the daily breakfast for my mother, admitted at the psychiatry ward of the hospital. She broke the news: Akram had been allowed to travel. We might see him soon; but neither of us could come to believe it. April 23, 2023, he arrives. I note that day with the word: khoshi (happiness)
4: Very heaven
I was nervous. Could we really interact with our foreign guests? All I heard was the word ' beautiful ' (with an Aussie accent) as KB and Leon got off the car and poured their eyes on the newly built house. Jalo showered the rose petals as they entered; KB&L made us do it again while filming it this time. I was nervous no more. We chatted, became friends, became family. The wedding, the days, the KB crying ceremony - they were, for lack of a better term, VERY HEAVEN! And as per my fervent faith in God, He didn't spoil the show one bit. KB and Leon, jor bashi ♥️
Ejaz.