Worlds Apart

Re: # 16

How about turning it down a notch?

Scenario Two:

Ahsan can`t ignore the constant innuendo and barbs made by rellies expecting joras galore in addition to the stuff they pinch from Raniya. Raniya continues to not engage with the catfights of her female rellies and that gets interpreted as an admission of guilt. Ahsan wishes Raniya wasnt so unhappy and starts to imply that a pukka Pakistani girl would not complain so much and since she doesnt work, why doesnt she get off his back and start having babies already? Raniya receives phone calls from her father who continues to tell her, ``hang in there, pumpkin!``. Raniya and Ahsan learn what each others` ``argument buttons`` are and spend about five years pushing them while Ahsan`s fam tells them that Raniya has forrun misage.

Raniya has one baby and another and by some unspoken agreement, they dont really talk to each other, because they are both too stressed out.

After all of THAT, does legitimate love grow.

Re: # 14

so, you are admitting that you have performed fellatio?

To me this is a story about the power of perseverance. Not to sound like a fortune cookie, but sometimes there is value in just carrying on, and to have faith that things will turn out alright.

Thanks to all those who took out the time to read and comment on the story with criticism and appreciation.

About this piece:

Contrary to popular concensus within this forum so far, this is a true story...and no, not the author`s own life. Sometimes , truth is stranger than fiction and harder to believe. It might appear to be all that you feel: `slushy`, `pink and fluffy`, `fantasy`, M&B/Bollywood happiness`, `does not reflect naunce and interiority of marriage` - well, welcome to life from a different, less cynical angle!

The details of the children`s growing up seemed irrelevant to the theme, and might have dragged the story on unnecessarily; hence the element of `fast forward` introduced in the end. Also, there can be many versions - or `senarios` - of the same story. However, this piece is about the choices the actual characters made. So be it.

Thanks again.

I agree with Naqshbandi, too ``slushy.`` However, while reading it I did not know it was a true story. But interestingly I was dissapointed that it was, because I`d rather enjoy it as a good piece of fiction writing.

Re: # 20

I`m afraid that labelling readers with expectations of literary device as ``cynical`` is not acceptable. Its very nice that this is based on a true story, its very nice that such a story exists. My questions are why should we have engaged with a piece that offered us very little in self examination, revelation, fresh use of language, conflict all of which are conventions of literature?

#11 by neembu on June 10, 2007 1:16pm PT
Re: # 10

Tolkinin,

Are you married?
[Reply to interact #11]
............................................

I am a VERY happy married man are you?
does not seem you r with all your baggage of sceptisism

#16Kamran

``Just Jesting. Don`t let my miserable thoughts taint your world. ;p``

on the other hand you might be the hopelessly pessimist who only sees the glass half empty ....there is silver lining to all life
dont paint all with your single brush with your genralisation

Very nice piece of Word,
Thought provoking,
Above all a reality,
Glad to see such situation in Pakistan,
Really enjoyed, each and every line,

Best of Luck for future

Regards

Re: # 22

`a piece that offered us very little in self examination, revelation`

neembu,

Wasn`t there any exercise of self examination for you? Wasn`t it revelatory?*

As for `conflict`, wasn`t the last line poignant (note the italics) trivializing all the `stretched out` conflict earlier on? Does that hurt you sweetie?

*As much as you might see the ending as encouraging spouses to stay in difficult marriages, the author is merely relating a true story. If you won`t even admit empirical anecdote on grounds that it counters you emotional and intuitive stereotype about desi men, then you shouldn`t be advising battered spouses..

#18, Lemon,
Well, let`s say that I have been involved. :)

Also, I am not known as a cunning linguist merely for my knowledge of Punjaibi. :)

what mr. chauhan is saying is he is another drinker from the furry cup.

#24 by tolkinin on June 11, 2007 5:05am PT

``on the other hand you might be the hopelessly pessimist who only sees the glass half empty ....there is silver lining to all life``

Arey yaar, Of course there is a silver lining to all life.
The author says it`s a true story. I`m very happy to hear that; and for the couple concerned.
My very best wishes to them.
I know many more, very happy, real life, instances. Some not so good.
The pendulum of nature`s balance, swings.

Now,

I`m sure you didn`t need my crappy comments, even half in jest. But...

Just imagine you are a 16 year old girl from Bradford, reading this story.
What are your `real` chances of going to Pakistan; marrying a educated, enlightened, understanding, loving person... Whose sole aim (and his families), is NOT to use this marriage as a means to get into UK?

A glass half full or half empty, is 50% (in case you didn`t know) ;p
Under those circumstances It`s always better to see the positive.
In fact if I saw it full 25%, I`d still be optimistic.
10% and under... I do get pessimistic. Is that wrong of me?

Now in percentage terms, please tell me...
Out of all the marriages between British nationals and Pakistani`s..

How many marriages ended up with the couple staying in Pakistan?
50% ?... I don`t think so!
Less than 1% ?... Yep!

Once the 99% are in UK, they get shocked when they find that life here is only good if you work very hard for it. Most of them end up working in shops, restaurants or drive taxi`s. (Bottom of the ladder jobs).
They hardly have any friends, because most of the population speaks in english.
The ones that they can communicate with, are too busy to do so, and have nothing in common with them.
As if that wasn`t bad enough, they have the extra huge burden of saving money, to send it to their poor relatives in Pakistan.
And building a new Bangla in Pakistan is compulsary, even if there is no one to live in it.
Spending £50,000+ and then renting it out to someone at £5 a week, isn`t very logical...
but it allows them to look at their poorer relatives and shout...
``Hey! Look at me now!``

Then there is the costly, all family, 3 yearly, visits to pakistan.

What I`m saying isn`t just clutched from air. I`ve met MANY `mangaithir party, wallas`.
Most of them seem to huff and puff with regret.

``My time in Pakistan, lounging about, each and every day, were the best. sigh``
``My wife and I contantly fight over me sending money to my parents``
``Only 3 months to go, before I get full residence. Then I can leave her``.
``Errr... Yaar ... How do you get a gori? Can you spare me a gori, as well?``

I could go on; But you`ll get bored. ;p

@ TaheraSajid,

I`m sure there will be many other heart warming stories, which go against the odds.
With you saying it`s a true story, it has won me over. We need more.
Please write more. I would do it if I had the ability.

Best Regards.

#28, Naqshabandi, {``what mr. chauhan is saying is he is another drinker from the furry cup. ``}

Naqsh,

``A loaf of bread, a jug of wine ...``} :)

Re: # 30

Mr. Salim_Chauhan/ others

I recall reading quite a few posts regarding ``bread and wine``. This subject seems to pop-up without any need, as far as I can see. Asian Fixation? :)

Could someone write a detailed, exciting, porn story, all about this subject... So that we could get it out of our system?

Writing such a story can`t be against this forums rules, since we can just `spring it out of nowhere` anyway.

Or is it better to mention it in all posts, because it`s a bit like `flashing in public``? The shock value? It titilates more?

And there was me thinking I had to keep quiet about MY fixation! :)

Re: # 26

Kaka,

Aha...so thats what this is about...and you and your ilk have the nerve to call me bitter, given the stereotypical behavior of many desi men.

How is this for an anecdote? The females of a spouse who batters his wife exist on a steady diet of Bollywood movies. Would you care to grapple with that, or are you just going to shoot your mouth off?