THE JINX!

Why is it that some weird things happen on a special occasion that you would want to go perfect? Why in the stream of perfect thoughts, any unusual thought seems to give the adrenaline rush? And not just on celebrations, on almost every important day that we wanted to end smooth!! Coming to think of it, even when you have studied well for an examination and are very sure of yourself, there will be that one particular question awarding high marks that you had missed while preparations. I have always noticed these anomalies somehow letting down my mood or spirits at days I want to do my best… those days when I am jinxed with bad luck and all the bad in the world seems to be dumped on my platter!! And like humans respond to bad luck, I look up, talk to the air, and ask, ‘Why me!!!’

For instance, my birthday had just passed and I was busy with the makeover of my new room. I was busy decorating the room with a new theme and interiors. I finished with the painting and moving the interiors to the right places. I also got frames and lamps just the day before, and on my birthday morning, they seemed to be perfectly in place. Since everyone at home noticed my frenzy of decorating my room for almost a month, my family gifts were all artifacts for my new room. I liked most of them, but it was Papa’s gift that won my heart.  It was a beautiful, modern wall clock with its hands stylishly curled and bubble shot at the tip of the hand. You might be wondering, how a wall clock could have possibly made things perfect as a birthday present, but you will understand the feeling when you want everything in your room to compliment the perfection of its owner. But would I live that joy for long... jinxed again when a few hours later I noticed that the timepiece wasn’t working. So we took it down and changed the batteries. Later in the evening, the same thing happened. The clock stopped working and we realized that it wouldn’t work anyway. And a piece from my perfect place was amiss. 

Then there was that one particular incident in the family gathering during my sister’s wedding days. We were having a good time, all dressed up and clicking pictures, fooling around and gabbing about. The oldest of the family members caught up on childhood stories, the younger cousins catching up on academics, life and love stories. You couldn’t have thought about a better to be at that time. We posed, made fun of, teased each other, and sang flamboyantly. Then it was time for Food!!! Yes, possibly the best thing about a get together! Everything got served; I had nothing to worry about. The boys took care of it all. And when the guests were done with lunch and the desert, it was time for tea and that’s when I spotted the salad tray, untouched, in a room. It seemed like one of the boys left it there on their way to the living room, where the guests were seated. My mom began scolding the boys, and the poor boys looked down. It was a small thing, but pretty much ended our moods of the fact that, Boy, all went as planned!! 

I am sure everyone has had such experiences, experiences that you can only laugh about later. I remember another one while going to see-off my sister at the airport after her marriage. I thought we’ll have plenty of time to make a video and click unforgettable shots, even though I knew my sister hated such ‘photo shoots’. ‘Way before departure? Check! Cool Outfit? Check! Camera? Check!’ I had also blackmailed sister to reach early to the airport, and finish off the formalities before check-in. Once we reached she did what we planned, and finally I pulled out my camera for the last shots till sister returns. I remember even boasting loudly, “See, if it wasn’t for me, you would have missed these precious last moments. Now line up, I want to click family pictures.” The camera switched on, I focused my digital camera, and adjusted zoom to fit everyone in the picture. But the picture blurred. So I asked them to click in groups. And now, my camera doesn't switch on. What in the world must have happened to it in five minutes? Ah, yes, no charge! So we took to clicking pictures with mobile phones. And as you may expect, some were blurred, some dark snaps and some with ghost eyes. The perfect picture was jinxed. I did feel bad about things not going my way, but somehow the irony of it amused me.

I have had enough experiences of jinxed moments and heard quite a many from others to come to this conclusion, ‘There is something in the universe that has an effect on our daily lives and makes a simple day extraordinary!’ Perhaps the little innocuous errors we make, particularly on special occasions and celebratory days, are actually guided from above while we remain oblivious to our own actions. It is understandable and answers my question. Maybe things not going the way we planned, embarrassment and silly mistakes happen only for the special day to become a memorable one.

- Written for Bangla Express, December issue, 2011 

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A RARE UNFOLDING

That morning was like any other morning at home, boring and dull. Little did I know what the day had in store for me. I woke up late and was lazing around. Its one of those times, when you have slept sufficiently enough but you still wonder why your head is feeling heavy. Should you make your way to the bed again or will a hot cup of tea wake you up from dizziness.

It took a moment to decide. A cup of tea would do the magic, besides I had so much pending work to finish. My brother’s graduation ceremony yesterday and my sister’s wedding last week have left me flustered about my own tasks to be sorted.

Before going my way for a brewing cup of tea, I stopped to listen to my mom and sister conversing about the month’s festivities. I actually miss all of it, but is there any time to reminiscence those memories with such an irritating headache and the idea of getting back to finishing my deadlines. My headache shrieked with thunder, when my mother reminded, “Kokab, we have to pick up the pictures of your sister’s reception today!”

My thoughts paced about. What a wonderful celebration it was! My mathematics assignment is due tomorrow!!! The reception was simple, plain and beautiful! That thesis I wanted to do, the research draft is 1000 words!!! I got such amazing compliments during the reception! I haven't been to lectures for four weeks; I can’t remember when is the quiz!!! I wish I will live the dream wedding like my sister…. “Kokab make us a cup of tea, please”, broke my sister into my trail of thoughts.

So I obediently went to make tea and arrange breakfast for the three of us, having all those thoughts running about in my mind; the wedding reception which was done with now and the thought that when would I attend my Graduation. “But that’s all in the past now. Life is back to the same old monotonous routine and there’s nothing more to look forward to! At least not yet...” I thought to myself.

I quickly filled the saucepan with water and left it to boil on the stove. I was just organizing the breakfast tray when I heard a loud explosion followed by a shriek! And then there was dead silence. I stood still, stunned at the point. The cry was so short-lived I can’t even recall whether it was as frightening as the BOOM! “Kokaaab! Kokabb!! What was that sound?! Kokab, what happened?!” asked my mother anxiously as she rushed into the kitchen. It took me some time to react. I startled when she repeated her questions. “How could this happen? The tea carafe just exploded!” I managed to speak “Why would the carafe explode?! It has got a plastic exterior!”

Mom did not care. She and my sister were relieved that the house wasn't on fire. But I needed an answer. Why will the tea carafe explode!!! And I need tea badly!!! Mom finally spoke as she went out of the kitchen, “How did it break? You have to be more careful Kokab!” Now that’s it! It wasn't my fault. But what could I come up with to explain! I myself had no idea what had just happened!

The glass liner had collected at the base of the carafe in the form of glass powder. I remember putting in tea powder. But what happened after that, I had nothing to do with it. The next thing I see is shining powdered glass pieces and smoke rising from it. Anyway, I don't get tea, but I have an extra job now, clean up!

There were minute glass pieces powdered all around the flask. I cleaned the cabinet-top and the floor. While doing this, my mind raged another war. Why do I have a headache today!? Why did this have to happen to me?! Will someone get me tea?! Why would this carafe burst?! I recalled again… I had rinsed the cups prior to preparing tea thus my hands were wet. When I was adding tea to the empty flask, the spoon that I was using got wet too and so did the tea granules. So I put the metal spoon further inside and tried to jerk off the damp tea. This means nothing! One last try, but my headache seemed to tear apart my spirits and I suddenly realized how the explosion may have happened. The flask was kept next to the window with its lid loosened!! This is science. As the day hours passed, the sun heated it up to such an extent that the mild resistance created by the spoon hitting at the glass caused it to explode. Had I not struck the spoon inside the flask and poured in the hot boiling water, I can only imagine how horrific the eruption might have been! Thankfully, I have survived from a mistake. Suddenly, I felt no regret of missing tea this morning. This lesson unfolded much more!

I hope that all those reading my incident take this series of events seriously as a word of warning and caution everyone around them. If you have big windows occupying your kitchen, make sure the curtains are always down, and if not, keep your glass-lined carafes away from the sunlight. Especially the ones having a thin glass interior!

Home is presumed as the safest place, and God Forbid can be very dangerous if we carelessly do our chores around home. Bear in mind that house accidents can be of any degree when it comes to damage! So, all I can say is what my mom keeps telling me, “PLEASE, BE CAREFUL!”

- Written for Bangla Express, November issue, 2011 

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A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH DUBAI (Unedited)

Change is constant, but I hate that Dubai had to change so quickly when I am still the same old me.
I grew up with Dubai, and in all these years, all that it had accomplished, the growth and development, makes me realize how old I am and how little I’ve achieved!! Dubai is too dear, for I owe it my childhood memories, my plain, beautiful life and a companionship that grows bit by bit with every passing year. For now, Dubai is my competition, inspiring me to carve opportunities out of life. But there are a few things about Dubai that I’ll always miss.
When I was young:

1. U.A.E was called Dubai! Whether you lived in Sharjah, Ajman, Dubai or Fujairah, you were a part of Dubai, literally!
   It goes without saying that this city had the most job opportunities in the Emirates and many decided to work here while settling in the other emirates.
2. We called it Rupees not Dirhams! 7ay Na3m! This is owing to the time when Gulf Rupee was U.A.E's currency.
   Dh 1 a day was enough to please a kid!! Because the price of candies, a chocolate bar, or a pack of chips/pofak ranged from 25 fils to 1 Dirham at the nearest grocery shop. Also, a can of soft drink (355ml) cost only a Dirham.
3. The eatables were very original in terms of taste to Arabia.
   A Shawarma, along with the Salad, cost Dhs 2 and to buy one all we needed to say was ‘One Sandwich please’ or ‘Shorma’ would do too. Since, there was only one recipe to it at every Cafeteria!
4. We thought Dubai Trade Centre was ‘THE TALLEST BUILDING EVER’!!
   Needless to say, all the skyscrapers on Sheikh Zayed Road have risen right in front of me. The Burj Khalifa being the tallest, not only in UAE but in the world.
5. Believe it or not, parks were always crowded and many recreational events were held in the greenery more often than not.
   Unlike today, most UAE residents’ life did not revolve around malls because there weren’t many to hang about in. Deira City Centre was the ‘Ultimate Shopping Mall’ and leisure had a wider range. The Safa Park was the largest park in Dubai back then and the talk of the town! I can recall that one particular visit when my brother and I got lost and couldn’t find our way out.

Basically, I long for everything I had as a kid, especially Dubai’s simplicity, as it was before the urbanization, before the recession; when Dubai was both innocent and pure! The environment was raw and untouched and life was simple. Hopefully, one day we’ll have it all throughout the world!

-Taken by Bangla Express, July issue, 2011

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