Chapter 4:The family
It was one of those weekends where I was forced to get
dressed. Meaning throwing on an abaya over my old ratty pjs and black scarf if
needed something from the supermarket or lazing around watching series in my kaftans
that had curry stains wasn't going to cut the deal.
My mother came barging into my room in a panic after Fajr as
I was just about to sleep. I swear when I’m trying to sleep they decide it’s
time to have a carnival downstairs but when they asleep I try to act like a ninja.
I closed my eyes pretending I was asleep hidden under my
covers, the only reason why she come barging in my room was because she needs a
favor or wants to show me some lame thing on her phone that can wait till I’m
fully awake, otherwise she would scream from downstairs if I left a teaspoon or
glass on the counter ,or needs me to switch a light of few meters away for my
dad - the whole neighborhood probably hears , they must be thing I’m the laziest
person because we all know how a mother can add masala to a story you probably think I left a whole dinner set out .
She started screaming “Get up clean this mess in your room,
put away all your money and jewelry. Bongi is coming to vacuum, wait till she’s
done, make sure she don’t open the cupboards, then come downstairs, I need help”
What Bongi on a Saturday? , what on earth is going on?
My mother continued “
Muhammad and Fatima are going to be here so come downstairs in that outfit that abaya
with the design on it and that green scarf with flowers , you know after zohr
people are coming to see Yumnah”
Oh! way to be vague mummy abaya with a design, I’m sure that’s
every cloak in my cupboard , green scarf that’s like 10 different scarves in my
drawer, I thought to myself - what don’t judge I’m a scarf addict I can’t part
with any.
“I know you listening stop pretending you sleeping “my
mother said pulling my covers
I gave a sleepily nod and closed my eyes to go dream about
cupcakes and doughnuts ….
A few minutes later I felt something cold on my feet, I was
ready to kill that person then I heard the cutest giggle ever I knew it was my
little brother Ibrahim, his 6 years old.
“Mummy said I must wake you up” he said giving me the cutest puppy dog eyes it’s hard to be angry at it him..
I got up to tackle him and went running after him … where
did that scamp run of too?
“Oh you finally up” said Yumnah.
Gosh! She’s 11 months
younger than me but acts like an old granny..
I love my family but at times they drive me bananas …
There is Fatima – my big sister she has two kids Yusra and
Yahya oh and Muhammad her husband you already know the story , it was one of
those normal my kalas husband's aunt's grandson is looking to get married and
they came home blah blah you get the story..
Then comes Ahmed his 22 studying overseas Engineering, his
still too young too get married his my mummies butchu – I never get to study
overseas , wait till you married then you can go travel the world with your
husband my naani will say , girls must stay at home.
And the black sheep – me and there’s my sister other Yumnah
she and I are 11 months apart ,we were in same class in school because of all the
apartheid rules back then . Ahmed and I use to gang up on her when we were
smaller always dying her Barbie dolls hair different colours.- Oh the fun days ..
Last is the laatlammetjie of the family Ibrahim he came just
before fathi got married.
Any that is my crazy family.
Bongi cleaned my room and I was now sitting quietly eating marshmallows
and melted chocolate while our whole house was in madness trying to neaten up,
fry and bake every savory that was stocked in the freezer. Yahya was screaming
in the background. I was in bliss tuning it out when my mother walked in and
saw me Oh!no here we go …
“What you doing here why you not helping in the kitchen “my
mother started.
“Keep her out of here “Yumnah screamed “she’s no help, only
makes a bigger mess”
Ya!Allah why you wearing that scarf? My mother complained and
walked into the kitchen “Fatima, sort your son out make him stop I can feel a
headache starting” –
“With all that screaming you do that must be causes that
headache” I mutter
“I heard that, I will sort you out later I got no time now, Yumnah!
Why you are not dressed? , go now the Akoonjees are on the way go get ready
leave this I will get it ready” my mother panicked and stared rumbling to
herself how she has to do everything herself …
And the doorbell rang …
AY! Go to your room Sara don’t come out I don't want them to
get confused with the sisters my mother
told me as she placed her best dinner set on the table.
What was the point of making me get dressed if I’m not going
to be around...? I really don't understand mothers
As I made my way up the stairs I peeked out of the window to
see who it was...
OMW! Yumnah is going to have a fit when she realises who
came for proposal. Thank Allah this one is not for me...What a waste of savories!
