*_*

Meetup with friends can be so revitalizing.

Chit-chats over cup of cappuccinos can give you an instant refreshing boost. This was our last meetup @ GA after my marriage and departure from Islamabad.

I’m glad that we made it to this place… refreshed our memories.

Until we meet again. You two’ll always remain fresh in my heart and mind

I ♥ u and a.

This morning while coming to my office, a thought hit me. I’m crazy about Islamabad. I totally own the city ~ every nook of it. The thought to leave it is pretty saddening as well. There are memories attached to the roads, bazaars, even the walking paths and road turns.

This road makes me beam inside-out. It is one of my favorite roads in Islamabad. Leads to my mom’s last resting place …! And then reaching upon the graveyard … I feel like sitting their for hours. Its such a relaxing feel. The nearness of the beloved surrounds you. On top of it, y photography gets a kick there.

The pictures taken at Qabaristan … the other day I was showing these pics taken in Qabaristan labeled as “A trip to Graveyard” to my bhai. And he was like shabash hay ^_^

F-6 makes me go crunch crunch. Me and my dad lately became so fond of Bangali’s Samosas … while passing through it today, it hit me that probably few weeks from now I’d miss this thing like hell. Parents are such a delight Alhamdolillah that Allah blessed us with them. You can never have enough of them. The-chaskas-of-roaming-around chemistry I enjoyed with abu’s going to be on my list topper that I’m going to miss :’(

The 14th august rains … the roaming around on Islamabad roads to see “shahar ki batiyaan“. I still remember when we, the whole family, used to head towards F-9 park on 14th Aug eve for the fireworks. Those fireworks that were never so grand were La Objects de Grandeur in our lives then. I still remember me and my sis used to sneak out in summer afternoons to buy those Rs 1 & 2 Shahi Qulfi or it’d be that orange colored ice loly. Those were the days. The street roaming, late-night walk and chaand raat tawaaf with my folks … nostalgia.

And the sweet fragrance of motiyaa …that reminds me of Ami always.

یہ کون ستارہ ٹوٹا جس سے، سب تارے بے نور ہوئے

کس چندرماہ نے ڈوب کر، کتنے چاندوں کو گہنایا ہے

جس سے سپنے جاگ اٹھے ہیں، خوابوں نے نور کمایا ہے

یہ دل نے کس کو یاد کیا، سپنوں میں کون آیا ہے

Oh and I’ve some profound memories attached to Gelato Affairs as well. The sudden dates with A & U there. The quick cappuccinos and shared cheese cakes. And hours and hours of chit chat. I remember when few months back we sat for 3+ hours in Gol market until we realized its late now. Will miss these refresher rounds.

Oh and the long walks on absolute absurd theories of life with U. *I’m sure we will be awarded Philosophers of century if someone hears them U * Do you agree? And the way A gets panic attacks when our visit to old book shop lengthens…. now bookshops remind me of her, always. I will miss that tiny but treasureful old bookshop of Jinnah too

The dholkis and mehndis, the songs and dances, the jee kardas and kaala jaura *sniff sniff*

The way I’d make stop abu coz I’ve to photograph something on the road. Islamabad hasn’t wiped my hesitation to take out the cam and snap away life.

And when I’ll be *sigh* cooking food ~ I’ll absolutely miss the yummy delights of abu. *Nay I ain’t insane but he’s such a superb cook Masha Allah*

Reminds me I’ve to buy this cook book and revamp my own cook bood too *shrugs at the thought*

Islamabad’s a feeling close to heart. My associations are dug deep in its soil from toddler days to now. The circle of life is indeed an interesting phenomena, isn’t it?

It says:

A mother is a biological and/or social female parent of an offspring. Because of the complexity and differences of the social, cultural, and religious definitions and roles, it is challenging to define a mother in a universally accepted definition.

I used to ask such zillion questions to amaa. LOL.

At times its much needed to say to your parents that you love them the most  … saying has power.

My mom rocks .. how about yours

Thanks god they are not re-hiring me as office boy yet.

When I reach home these days … the after-tea reminds me of so memories from not-so-old-times … a few years down the lane yet they seem so distant and so near. After putting the dinner plate off, bhai would shout for Chai Hojayay. And then we’ll fight daily that who’d do what. That was our ultimate family time. Ami and abu’s half half cups … our full huge mugs of tea. Oh yeah bhai’d make tea too kabhi kabhi. I’ll ask him o do half of teh work … either dum the tea and I’ll mix or do the opposite Sometime Ess (my eldest sis) would start blending coffee too. Deep in chilly winters, ami would make pink tea … and honestly that used to be THE yummiest and truest pink tea aka kashmiri chai I ever tasted. The shops sell just pink-colored tea in its name these days. Nothing can compete mom-cookeries ever … love you ama.

Ah ha and how can I forget the gajar ka halwas. Goodness, my mom used to make THE best gajjar ka halwa and gajrella too No one can beat that taste. Small things that you don’t even realize then becomes strongest of the memories when nothing remains the same. Nothing.

Winters are nostalgic. Seems like my last winters in my home these would be. Nostalgic with capital N.

چاء ہوئے تے بہت ہوئے پر اپناں دے نال ہوئے

Innit?

Bright summer’ ready to bid its farewell.

Mighty sun not as harsh as the life itself. (naashukra-pan =P Tauba Tauba)

Alhamdolillah to Allah Almighty for his limitless, infinite bounties and blessings.

Chill all prepared to seep in.

There’s a creepy sadness in the air … few secret smiles. Yet the uncertainty.

*takes a moment to think about the secret smiles – inevitable, huh *

Few months down the lane … this place in the picture above is going to be one of those places I’m gonna miss the most.

Eid’s very near. Last Ashra’a … will come to an end shortly. I already feel like missing Ramadhan

Cant it be ramadhan for at least two months? I love this month .. please remember me and my family in your prayers

ps: I’ve been a bit lethargic in replying to comments here .. tonight Inshah Allah

Sehri was an extravagant thing since bachpan … you know that feeling … waking up in the middle of night for anda paratha and chai. I was a chai addict since my bachpan I was always the last one to wake up. Ami would call from kitchen, then abu will come in the mid of stairs and would call me. And then those final calls when ami or abu would say Accha rauza nahi rakhna naa phir. Ooooh that used to do the magic and I’d jump out from the bed. Azaans used to start and I’d start gulping . I always start eating for sehri when I hear the sounds of Azaan .. somehow … before that I feel like its too early :$ It used to be quite fun with all of us together and those heavenly sehris. Lol, I take at least 10 minutes to make a paratha … once two -three years back, my bro was home in Ramadhan. God bless him, due to my show and steadiness, he took the paratha from my hand and made it himself … I pushed him to make one for me too =D Nowadays, due to the sudden dieting awareness program … I’m enjoying boiled egg and porridge bowl … Man, porridge;s so recommended. I always loved porridge but now I’m loving it a bit more So filling and so tasty. ANd you get to drink milk too, issi bahanay.

Ahh, and the aftaars. In our family, fruit chat and chai …. we cant survive without these two things for aftar. necessary … must do items. previously, I’d make either pakoray (that everyone in general and ami specifically would say asma makes the best =D ) or some fried stuff like toasts with potatoe fillings. Nowadays, Im refraining from all those pakora-istic urges and sticking to full bowl of fruit chat … and then cuppa chai. I’d eat so many fruits that skipping the meal is not a problem either. Yups, I’m acting desperate. But then it gives you some leverage. you can occasionally indulge in some yummynesses like pakoray and samosay. Its my sweetheart bro’s bday today and I’m going to celebrate it with his fave pakoras – yayy =) It was ami’s bday on 6th and I made chick karahi and pulao … yayy =) Lol. I should end before I be declared officially crazy.

So, coming to you people, what do you prepare or have for sehris and aftars? Do you make yourself or lethargy kicks in? Are you living alone or with family ~ with family things are so different What you can’t resist if it be on table for sehri and aftar? And what’s the most essential item?

It has become kind of a tag. So pour in

ps: I did this post because of one so obvious reason. Shadeed rauza lag raha hay and its almost 5.5 hrs to go. I’ll be breaking the tradition of this ramadhan and will make noodles and qeema in some saucy mixture today. recipe I’ll generate at run-time =D ooooooh.