A female voice on phone said "You are selected as Consultant Microbiologist position at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust Dartford. Please present at 9:00 AM sharp at the hospital.
"Thankyou" I smiled and replied her. I think I could deliver my smile in my voice if possible. I was very happy though.
"How on earth, I got selected." I wondered, reference to my bold debate on my name. I raised my eye brows to an arch. I can do it. I am very proud of this and sometime I showed it off to my cousins. "Ah, I am missing those days." I gathered pillow in my arms and tucked my pretty head in it. "I am missing them....Agghhhhh, I should call them."
I dialed home. The bell rung...rung...rung...rung and then rungrungrungrugnrugnrungugunrugnurngurngurnugru and one eternity later...Finally mom picked the phone. "Aray Nadia beta, How are you? long time no see beta....aray aray everyone come, Nadia's phone." My mom lunged and might be walking steadily because I could hear her breath of garlic and ginger from my phone. I rolled my eyes, now she is gathering entire herd.
Might be possible everyone was dragged with children sleeping in the beds and coming to my phone like zombie planet got a ray of hope.
Shrugging shoulder and tilting my head I scowled her in imagination "May I talk to you first ammi huzoor." I mocked her. "Aray, yes yes dear. How is everyone, Phuppo, Arham and you.... All?"
"I am fine. How is our entire zoo?" I laughed asking mama.
"Fine and good"..........."ARAAAAY" She exclaimed, what a good time you called dear, Maryam is going to be married soon."
My mouth became an "O" I frowned and exclaimed loud enough to jump a cat "WHAAAT", I mean WHEN and HOW????
"Today her proposal was finally, declared "DONE"... I closed my mouth and said "Okay"
"Who is the groom?" I asked.
"Aray, he is doctor and such a nice family, Beeba bacha. Very nice family.... And they are from Saudi Arabia, but now they are at Pakistan. He is now working here at Liaquat National Hospital. The marriage is scheduled in December. The days are so convenient for all of the relatives even those living abroad like you. Actually the guy's Phuppo live at New York and his sister lives at Saudi Arabia married to an Arab. Oh Nadia, the groom MashaAlllah... He is so handsome. Our Maryam is so blessed, she is agreed too."
I frowned hard "she is agreed too." It echoed in my mind because I didn't hear it first time. Family "DONE" the arranged marriage and they call it "Our children always does as we wish." In my case however I was reluctant but I secretly like Arham and I didn't find any reason to engulf sleeping pills in my throat when I had a chance.
"Okay Mom... please tell me the dates so that I could ask for leaves from my job." I rolled my eyes.
"Your job?" She seemed surprise. "Aray beta rani, why are you doing these petty jobs like washing dishes or working at departmental stores. Try to manage in Arham's salary."
"Mama, I am selected as Consultant Microbiologist at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust Dartford Hospital. Mama I am a consultant not a bar tender there." I was boiling hot, with four year degree and 6 months training I was a qualified person but my family thinks I am a hopping bunny in garden. Loony tunes were ringing in my ears. Like an echo device.
"Ohhhh, MashaAllah beta, be happy. I thought normally people do such odd jobs." She was embarrassed.
I felt bad after this meltdown. "I am sorry Mama, actually it was building up since a long time that I am a girl and I can't do any thing. That is why I got so vexed."
"I will try to come at her wedding. what are the dates?" I asked
"15-30 December" Now a days it is very hot here.
It is okay here. I still sleep in blanket though. We both laughed at this common joke. What are the plans for the wedding days....
"Hello, Nadia api ,how are you?" The sound changed as Gullu snatched phone from Mama
"Assalamualikum, I am fine and how are you Gullu?" I asked my young crime partner.
"Things are dull and boring and dadi scolds me alot, please take me there at London I am done with these old people." He was laughing
"Oh, sure sure why not, come here and I will give you a tour to London." I was so happy to listed to his voice.
"Me too, Me too, Nadia Api phone." Little voices of Sidra and Habib was coming."
"Give my love to Sidra and Habib, and give phone to dadi."
"Hello Nadia beta, how are you, aren't you agitating others." A weak old voice of my Dadi came to my ears. "No Dadi, everyone is happy with me here. How are you? Are you taking medicines?"
"Yes, They all care about me alot, they give me medicines on time. Araaay.... come soon and we need to prepare and make arrangements for our Maryam. Her marriage will be knotted in December and the groom is Bhaagvan, and beautiful, very nice family. Come soon beta and take care of your mother in law, My daughter and my grandson. Take care and drink milk every day."
I smiled at her concerns for my in laws. "Yes Dadi, I am taking care of everyone here. Take care love you."
YOU ARE READING
After eating an apple
RomanceShe saw her red heels on road with blood splattered on the side walk. The truck struck something or someone. Only to find her new life was not same. She thought life was normal and mundane but hers was different. A year that is what it took. She wa...
