StorieSaazi

  Fog ( دھند ) by Khalida Hussain  translated from Urdu by Nighat Na-koja   The problem is that both ordinary and extraordinary events begin in exactly the same way. That day, too, when I dropped Sadia off at a busy market, it was a very common, ordinary, everyday occurrence. Then how did it turn into this extraordinary incident, I still don't understand. And the truth is, I've stopped thinking about it now because life itself has become a collection of insignificant events that have the potential to become extraordinary on their own. That day, too, as usual, Sadia had accumulated many small tasks. Actually, we didn't have any major tasks left to do. She was by nature a very bookish kind of woman. Even now, when I look at her closet, dressing table, kitchen cabinets, and even the bathroom shelves, I find to-do lists written on paper slips. These tasks were so insignificant that doing or not doing them would make no real difference. But still, she took great ca...

  I am here ( میں یہاں ہوں ) by Khalida Hussain translated from Urdu by Nighat Na-koja   She needed to think a little more clearly. The frequent occurrence of such events, what did it mean? She remembered well when Rahat had invited her to a coffee party. 'Do come, you must, all the old folks are coming. Don't disappear. Remember, back in school....”   ‘Bas! Bas ! you're not   going to repeat that story again! I'll be there, don't worry. There won't be too many 'fooying' women, will there?' This term was coined by her daughters for very pretentious women.  'No, no, darling, it'll be the same familiar college crowd.'  She had carefully chosen a grey embroidered outfit that suited her age. Actually, just a few days ago, she had seemingly surrendered and decided that it was better to give up   all youthful attire. Her hairstyle was also appropriate for her age because she was tired of pretending. Her arms and neck w...