So, in my 19 years of life this is the first time i have to spend an entire summer without mama. While every normal, sane teenager would jump at the opportunity of a summer without parents, saying i wasn’t too happy with the idea would definitely be an understatement. A little background into the situation, my sister living in the US is currently expecting. Upon hearing the news at first, i practically jumped with excitement and began making plans to visit at the time the baby was due, and got pretty carried away in the process, not once thinking about the entire visa process. Fast forward to the visa interview day, and mama doing tasbeeh the entire car ride there, while i laughed from the backseat thinking it probably wasn’t that big an issue. Well, turned out both my parents’ visas got accepted while mine got rejected!! And that too, it was on the mere grounds that they thought 18-21 year old’s, go and get married to apply for citizenship. WHAT EVEN? NO! I DO NOT WANT TO GET MARRIED! Just need to meet my sister, and her baby. but who was to explain that to the gora at the counter there. Extremely extremely depressed with the idea of having to stay back, i tried my luck once again and guess what? GOT REJECTED TWICE! With a very hurt ego, i convinced myself i don’t care an I never really wanted to go to this stupid country, in the first place.

I don’t know if i’ve learned much since this summer started, but i’ve definitely found a new dimension of respect for all mothers in the world. Being the only girl in the house, with 3 men well, you come to learn a loooot. Since mama left, i automatically became responsible for the laundry, for managing the groceries, and making sure food was cooked and served on time, every single day. It might not have been exactly expected of me explicitly, but let’s face it aur kon karta? To top it all of, it’s ramazan and as per desi tradition, every household lays out a lavish iftar party, which in our case HAS to have PAKORAY. Every single iftar, for thirty days straight. Even the thought of doing iftar without pakoray on the table is considered blasphemous. The problem arises on the divide within the family on the type of pakoras they want. Soft or crispy? Well, it wasnt until this ramazan that i ever properly understood the amount of time calculation, and food science that goes behind putting iftar on the table, and pre-planning a menu that is acceptable to all. Trust me, it might not sound much, never did to me either, but it’s not easy. So , exactly 15 days into my mom being gone i feel like a housewife, without a husband.