Back Pain, Pest Control Guys and a Dinner Party

Masood has this nagging back pain since returning from umrah, and decided to finally see a doctor.  Yes, it took him that much days of suffering before consulting a specialist. The orthopedic surgeon ordered for a couple of x-rays to be taken, and prescribed medications, like they normally do.  When Masood went to follow up on the x-ray result the next day, he was told that the findings were normal, so the next step would be MRI – you know, just to make sure.  They’d even suggest MRI for the slightest headache, for all I know.

That evening, a couple of pest control guys came over to our home to spray the kitchen.  I went in the bedroom to upload pictures, while Masood showed the guys our kitchen.  A few seconds later I heard a soft, I-could-barely-hear, knock, followed by someone trying to open the door!  “Kaun?” I purposely asked so that he knows there’s a lady in the room.  Thankfully, he didn’t enter.  He actually thought it was the door to the bathroom!

So all the stuff that used to be in the kitchen is now in another room.  Since Sunday evening.  It’s Wednesday today.  But they’re neatly placed all over the floor so it’s easier to just search and pick.

Monday evening, Masood and I were invited by my sister for dinner over at her place.  All the girls were there, plus a few of their friends and neighbors.  My family has recently moved to a building just across the road from where I work;  except that the road happens to be Shaikh Zayed Road! So on the way there, we took a wrong exit and ended up somewhere else.  It took us 40 minutes to get to the building just across the road.

My sister didn’t cook.  Imagine inviting everyone over and then thinking about what to feed them at the last moment. So we drove to Lulu’s, behind Mall of the Emirates, and bought food.  She spoke to the Filipina saleslady in Tagalog, turned around, then asked me something in Urdu.  That’s when people around us started to stare.  I just love that confused look on their faces.

One desi guy, who couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer, approached Masood and asked, “Are you Malaysian?”  I can’t believe someone, who’s father is Pakistani and mother is Indian, can be confused as Malaysian, that too by an Indian/Pakistani guy. “No, I’m not Malaysian,” replied Masood.  The curious guy then asked, referring to us, “Are they Malaysian?”  “No, they’re Pakistanis,” replied Masood.  The guy left, more confused.

During dinner, it turned out that one of the ladies is a vegetarian.  Fortunately, I had suggested to buy a serving of dal fry, since everything else was non-veg.  So while the rest of us enjoyed spicy fried beef, chicken in BBQ sauce, and another chicken dish, the vegan neighbor ate roti (because the fried rice had egg) and dal.  Poor soul.

Then there was carrot cake for dessert.  My sister, the hostess, announced, “Whoever wants to eat cake can take a slice from the table herself.”  She also didn’t put dessert plates on the table simply because no one will do the dishes after wards.  This is what usually happens when Mother isn’t around. Mom went abroad to attend her niece’s wedding, in care you’re wondering.

We got home at 1 am, hence I went to bed and was unable to organize the kitchen.

Update:

I’ve just spoken with Serendipitous Life on the phone!  She’s so awesome, mashaAllah.  We talked, laughed and giggled a lot (just like how girls are supposed to) and had so much fun!  And hopefully, I’m going to meet her soon too, InshaAllah. Go over her blog now to read the amazing posts that she’s written.  Did I tell you she’s awesome?