Thirty-something Tasadduq had a lot on his mind that November day. Not only was he missing his wife Sharifa, who was still living with his family in Ahmedabad, he had just been told by his boss that soon he would need to relocate to Karachi, Pakistan. This was due to the ensuing Partition that was now enveloping India. Tasadduq had been married for just three months when his job at the Habib Bank branch in Mumbai had forced him away from Sharifa. It was 1947, and the ominous wave of... read more

Three-year old tiny-toddler Anjum was enjoying the serene ride in her Dad’s car – a nice Volkswagon Beatle model. It was a hazy day of the mid 1960s and life was good for Anjum and her family. Today, Anjum was hoping for another bite of her favourite food of rotisserie chicken from the quaint little shop on the high street. It was a bright day like any other day in the Crater district of Aden. Her dad Tasadduq was a busy man and had just returned from work and had picked her and Mamma up... read more

The time for evening prayers had come and young Sharifa was doing her prayers to thank Allah. As she prayed the sweet smell of chicken biryani hung in the air. Sharifa was very excited about having chicken biryani so she thought to do her prayers early. The room was getting quite stuffy so Sharifa went to open the door, she didn’t open the door wide, and she just opened it slightly. Then Sharifa’s aunty, Sakina walked out of the kitchen and said “Good girl Sharifa, it’s very good... read more

The festive mood was in the air once again. It was time for the annual lottery... well, almost. It was the Eid day: A glorious, sunny, warm, colourful Eid day; full of laughter and sweet things. It will soon be time to put on those special-occasion ritzy clothes and enjoy the treats. All bets were now seriously on as to who was going to rake in the most Eidy money. Young Zaf and one of his best friends, Murtaza, were doing their Eid day visiting rounds. Out of one door and into the next. ... read more

Saifee had just fallen asleep after staying up late studying for his exams. He had decided not to accompany his wife, Salma, her parents and her brother on a short trip away, as Saifee needed to catch up with some work that weekend. It was a stormy night outside. The wind was buffeting against the single-glazed windows of the flat above the shop where Saifee and Salma lived, causing Saifee to stir from his slumber. Sleepily, Saifee opened his eyes. He was just about to pull the blanket... read more

“Where is my ring?” Mum was screaming in her scary voice. I crept under my blanket and hoped she would not find me. What on earth was she on about? She was so careful that she never even lost a crumb... let alone this thing, this ring. Or is she just in one of her venting off some steam mood? I thought to myself. But thoughts were not enough to stop that horrible, horrible, shouting. My God, I need to get outta here, and quick! Then I heard Dad’s voice. Oh no! But then I heard ... read more

A few years ago, my Granddad came over to our house and held my cat like a new born baby. The cat did not like to be held like a kitten and bit my Granddad’s hand in protest. His hand started bleeding and he was in much pain. We had to rush to stop the bleeding. But Granddad said that he was alright and did not need to go to the hospital. The cat got a right ticking off, too. So it ran off and hid somewhere in the house in its secret hiding place. Soon after, we were all having fun... read more

Zainab awoke in the middle of the night feeling uncomfortably warm and thirsty. The heat in India’s monsoon season made sleeping through the night almost impossible. Her husband, Saifuddin, however lay sound asleep next to her. Zainab thought that a cold glass of water might help so she got up and quietly crept to the kitchen. She didn’t switch the lights on as the moonlight was streaming in through the open grills and was enough to guide her. The cold tiled floor felt good under Zainab’s... read more

“Sharifa, go to the market and please bring us a nice fish”, said Mum, Asma. “They should have a fresh catch today at the market”, she added. Twelve-year old Sharifa sprang to action. She loved going to the market and seeing all the usual and unusual things. And fish was her favourite. “Don’t forget to take the money from my purse”; said her mum. Sharifa took the money and ran out the door. “Oh, and while you are there please pick some groceries, too”, yelled Mum. But Sharifa was... read more