Razia was checking email on her phone far more frequently than she cared to admit. But this Ramadan had been physically exhausting and sometimes just passing the time was not easy. BING. There was an announcement about Eid Al Fitr from her local mosque.
BING. There was another email. Her neighborhood friend Haleema was throwing a Chaand Raath party.
"This will be late enough that you will have completed your final tarawih prayers, your families will be asleep. Come relax, unwind and munch on some snacks. You deserve it. " ordered the evite.
Razia had four boys, all under the age of 15. It had been an exhausting decade or two. She was just beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Surely her eldest would be driving soon. She already was able to have intelligent conversations with him. She stared into her phone seeing a worn out version of herself staring back. She had not been taking good care of herself these past few years. When was the last time she had a facial? She really ought to think about coloring her hair. There never seemed to be enough time to meet up with friends. Baby-sitters, homework, PTA meetings-they all made demands on her.
This henna party sounded like just what she needed. She wanted to feel pretty and feminine and besides, her husband used to feel so grateful the few times she had gone to a salon to have henna applied. He always took pride in his own appearance. Surely she owed him a couple of festive-looking palms every now and again.
Razia slipped out, giddy -partly due to having fasted most of the month and partly with excitement about a girl's night in. Hostess Haleema had an ethnically diverse group of friends which is what made her gatherings so much fun. Arabs, converts, South Asians, Aunties, teens and everyone in between. As Razia entered, Urdu nasheeds were wafting through the basement. The fragrance of henna had mingled with Keurig caffeine- both marking the end of Ramadan. Arshia the mehndi artist was poised with a golden foiled cone in her hand, ready for her first client.
Razia had brought a book of designs with her. She wanted to cover her hands with dark orange patterns; had waited so long for this. Arshia patiently followed the designs as faithfully as possible. Next in line was Dina a Jordanian American physician."I would just like a wristband please, " she requested.
Razia watched as a moist brownish bracelet slowly appeared around Dina's wrist. Of course! The non Indians would want something very sophisticated. Rana, an Egyptian American neighbor was next, requesting a thin design on just one pinky. Just as that was completed, mother of three,
Lana entered. She did a teeny tiny belly-dancing motion and said, " Habibti, I don't want a design on my hands.
"I want one right here." she announced.
BING. There was another email. Her neighborhood friend Haleema was throwing a Chaand Raath party.
"This will be late enough that you will have completed your final tarawih prayers, your families will be asleep. Come relax, unwind and munch on some snacks. You deserve it. " ordered the evite.
Razia had four boys, all under the age of 15. It had been an exhausting decade or two. She was just beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Surely her eldest would be driving soon. She already was able to have intelligent conversations with him. She stared into her phone seeing a worn out version of herself staring back. She had not been taking good care of herself these past few years. When was the last time she had a facial? She really ought to think about coloring her hair. There never seemed to be enough time to meet up with friends. Baby-sitters, homework, PTA meetings-they all made demands on her.
This henna party sounded like just what she needed. She wanted to feel pretty and feminine and besides, her husband used to feel so grateful the few times she had gone to a salon to have henna applied. He always took pride in his own appearance. Surely she owed him a couple of festive-looking palms every now and again.
Razia slipped out, giddy -partly due to having fasted most of the month and partly with excitement about a girl's night in. Hostess Haleema had an ethnically diverse group of friends which is what made her gatherings so much fun. Arabs, converts, South Asians, Aunties, teens and everyone in between. As Razia entered, Urdu nasheeds were wafting through the basement. The fragrance of henna had mingled with Keurig caffeine- both marking the end of Ramadan. Arshia the mehndi artist was poised with a golden foiled cone in her hand, ready for her first client.
Razia watched as a moist brownish bracelet slowly appeared around Dina's wrist. Of course! The non Indians would want something very sophisticated. Rana, an Egyptian American neighbor was next, requesting a thin design on just one pinky. Just as that was completed, mother of three,
Lana entered. She did a teeny tiny belly-dancing motion and said, " Habibti, I don't want a design on my hands.
"I want one right here." she announced.
1 comment:
My goodness!
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