This was our usual routine. I would start discussion by telling her stories from the daily English paper (she doesn’t read English papers), and depending on the way I tell it she would respond appropriately, resulting finally in the start of discussion about marriage.
However today was different. I read her an interesting article about the police in Nottingham being encouraged to wear green ribbons to show solidarity with the Muslim community. I told her excitedly that this is the city I will be visiting in November and my friend Amar lives there. She nodded appreciatively especially at the treatment of Muslims bit. However, I did add the fact that Nottingham is famous for its high crime rate, and her face slightly turned a shade darker. The following is the dialogue that ensued:
Mum: look after your self there. Don’t go to any aeri ghayri (dodgy) places. Also keep your passport with you. You don’t need to carry your passport there do you?
Akbar: no ma! ..Its not that bad…..just have to be cautious. Oh by the way I plan to travel with Amar to Italy and Amsterdam. (In a very excited tone- what would mother know about scandalous Amsterdam…I smile like a chesire cat inside)
Mum: that’s nice. But make sure you avoid kharab auratain (dirty women) and keep away from dirty places. You have no idea what kind of diseases out there.
Akbar : of course ma! (resistive and protesting tone –how the hell does she know about Amsterdam having kharab auratay or how the hell did she read my intentions!!!)
Mum : (sighs sadly!) and to top it all your friend is a sikh! God have mercy! (amar- I am serious, this actually happened)
Akbar: C’mon ma…Amar is not sikh. How many times I have told u he is hindu who is basically converted into a non-believer (agnostic- kafir). And he is very shareef guy. His father is a respected diplomat. Don’t worry. (The last bit settles her down)
Mum exits. Akbar goes into deep fantasies of Amsterdam red light district.
