Yasmin groaned as her phone buzzed at the table and she ignored it getting up to walk around the class.

“Anyone need help?” A few hands went up and Yasmin got up to go to them.As she was helping the second student,she heard her phone ring and cursed herself.She quickly made her way forward and cut the call without seeing who it was.She switched her phone off and turned around only to see one of her students putting away his phone.

“Niyaaz,if I see that phone one more time I will confiscate it.” Niyaaz looked up,his face filled with guilt until he saw the amused look on her face.

“Okay Muallimah.” Yasmin shook her head before packing up her laptop and looking at the class.

“So guys exams are coming soon.I will try to give you guys a run down but no promises.As I say,even if I give you guys a run down you guys have to study yourself.You guys know how to contact me if you'll need help.One thing is the essays.” Groans sounded out and Yasmin chuckled,”Groan and moan all you want but we got to face it.Essays carry most marks in the exams.So I will get the essays from the past papers and give it to you guys.I will also get other worksheets that will help you'll.Now you guys pack up and get ready for your next class.”

Just then the bell rang and Yasmin grabbed her things making her way out.

“Muallimah.” Yasmin turned her head to look at Niyaaz who walked next to her.

“Yes?”

“Thank you for not confiscating my phone.”

“You know my rule.I really don't care if you have your phone just don't use it while we doing work.Don't take it out in the other teachers classes they won't do what I did.Now get going.”

“Jee,jazakallah Muallimah.”

“Ameen.” Yasmin nodded at the boys thankfully as they stopped to let her enter the staff room.

“Yasmin,have you signed the papers?”

Yasmin nodded,”Yes I did.I will just give it to you Nabeela.” Yasmin put everything down on her table and took out the papers from her bag.

“Jazakallah.Are you coming to the meeting tonight?”

“No,I won't be needed.”

“Ahh you lucky.We got to sit there and listen to the board members go on and on.I swear they think we small children.”

Yasmin laughed as she sat down,”Let's hope when Nasir becomes principal we won't be tortured.”

“Can't wait.I need to get to class.See you tomorrow.”

“See you.” Nabeela walked out and Yasmin took out a few assignments that she had to mark.By the time she was done the bell had rung and she picked up her things.

Greeting everyone on the way out she signed out and walked to her car.Gosh she was already dreading the exams that were coming and all the marking she would have to do.

Yasmin walked into her apartment and after setting everything down she took out her phone.

Oh crap,I forgot to switch it on.Yasmin shook her head and she switched her phone on,only to be greeted by numerous missed calls and messages notifications.

Yasmin bit her lip when she saw who had been trying to get a hold of her.Her beautiful mother,Ayesha Khan.Beautiful,amazing mother,even better wife and an amazing sister.Yet also demanding and stubborn on what she wanted.Yasmin knew it would either be another argument of her remarriage or about how Ayeshas brothers were already grandparents.

Yasmin contemplated calling back or just messaging.Well,if you don't she might just send the police or even worst come to the house.Yasmin decided to just phone and get it over with.

“As salaam mu alaykum Yasmin.You finally got time to answer this old lady's call neh!”

Yasmin winced at the loud voice and dreaded the conversation they were about to have,”As salaam mu alaykum mummy.Maaf I was at school and I had to switch off my phone.”

“No,no,no.If it was your mother-in-law calling then you'd have answered but because it's me you did not.Don't worry I understand.”

Yain sighed,”Mummy nothing like that.I was busy and I never see who was calling.Exams are getting closer and I am really busy.I am sorry I couldn't answer your call but I promise it was unintentionally on my side.”

“Okay but now you got to do me a favor.” Yasmin sat down on the couch as she removed her watch and ring.She knew she would have to agree or else hell would rain upon her.

“Yes mum anything.”

“So.” Yasmin heard the nervousness in her mother's voice and knew it could not be anything good,”Your uncle is hosting a small family supper and tea.Tasmiya said I must invite you.”

Yasmin groaned.Oh no,this was worst then the police coming to her house.Worst then her mother coming to the house.This was worst then being put in a lion,leopard and cheetah cage while you the only meal.

THIS WAS AN INDIAN FAMILY WHO HAD BEEN IGNORED AND DISREGARDED!!!!!!

They actually came with a warning of DO NOT ENTER!DO NOT COMMUNICATE!

“Ma,I don't think…..”

“NO!You will come or else I will keep on phoning you until you pitch up.Tasmiya wants you there and you will come or else I will complain to your father.”

Yasmin laughed.Her father,Uzair Faki was the meaning of chill.While her mother was over the top and demanding.Her father was soft and caring.He had never pushed Yasmin to remarry and she knew if her mum would tell her father he would just tell her mother to leave her alone.So it was a good idea until her mum spoke again.

“The family wants to see you.They want to know if you okay.They worried about you.You have to come.”

Yamain knew that even if she refused this time the next time she would have to go.

“Okay fine.Whatsapp me when and where and what time please mum.”

Yasmin heard the mummy squeal in joy,”Ohh Subhanallah.Okay I will.I have to go now I will tell Tasmiya you coming.As salaam mu alaykum.”

“Wa alaykum mu salaam.” Yasmim put her phone down and looked up at the ceiling.

Yasmin was already regretting agreeing to this.She knew that her family wasn't ‘worried’ about her,they were chachi.They wanted to know if she was pregnant with an illegitimate child or that she was on drugs or her life had completely fallen apart.They wanted to interrogate her about when she would get married again or what she was doing in life or how hard was her life without her husband.

Lucky for her she had one cousin who was always there for her and this was someone she always kept in contact with.Tasmiya.Her beautiful yet three years elder cousin who had two children.Tasmiya had always been there for her since she got married,after the divorce and even when she distanced herself from the family.

Yasmin knew if she was going then Tasmiya would stand as her rock and throw rocks oops shade at the others.

Yasmin sat in front of the TV watching Friends on Netflix trying to forget about her humongous problem.It was the day of the dinner and tea at her eldest uncle's house.

Yain picked her phone up when she saw it was a message from Tasmiya.

Tassy:You better be here tonight or I swear I'll feed you timjan the next time I see you.You cannot leave me with these brainless insects.

Yasmin:😂😂 don't worry I'll be there I don't want you giving me timjan

Tassy:You better if I have to deal with Miss.Know-It-All once again I'll end up murdering her.

Yasmin:Kay I won't leave you with your fave

Tassy:Your bum 🙄 see you

Yasmin:See you

Yasmin out her phone down and got up to go see what she would wear.She did not want to wear black cause then they all would think she was in the great depression.

Yasmin saw her white pants that were broad at the end and she picked up a white top that had flowers on it.She decided to pair it with a nude scarf and white heels and her nude bag.

Perfect,this should put off most questions.

Yasmin begun to change and she put the pants on.Still in her t-shirt she put on light makeup and decided to do a bit of smokey eye look.She used her favorite Revolution pallette and smiled in happiness.

After letting the makeup set she put on the top,scarf and shoes.She transferred her wallet,phone and other stuff into the nude bag.

Taking one more look at herself,she made way tot he kitchen to grab the dessert she had made and made her way out of the apartment to her car.

Yasmin drove to her uncle's house with her favorite,Surah Yaseen playing in th e car.She needed that to stay calm and not end up committing murder or insulting anyone in the family.

As she pulled up to the complex gates,the guard came towards her.

“Good evening ma'am.Who are you here to meet?”

“Ahh Mr.Khan I think house number 20.”

The guard nodded,handing her the entry form to fill in,”Please fill this in and sign.”

Yasmin nodded and did as he said,she filled everything in except her number plate,”Please can you check the number plate and fill it in.”

“Sure ma'am.” The guard filled it in and opened the gates for her.Yamsin drove through and cursed herself for agreeing.As she parked off in front of the house,she could see some small children playing outside and a few men smoking outside.

They all had turned to look at her car and Yasmin recognized their faces.Her cousins from her two uncles and one aunty.Yay,a welcoming party.

Yasmin grabbed her bag and the dessert.Ya Allah,give me patience she made dua as she got out.

“As salaam mu alaykum Yasmin.” She heard them greet but Yasmin kept her gaze down and mumbled the greeting back.

As she made her way towards the house she could hear people talking and as soon as she entered she looked up to a squealing Tasmiya.

“Yasu,you here!” The minute Yasmin put the dessert down Tasmiya engulfed her into a bear hug.

“You are so lucky that you are here,I was about to murder your fav.”

Yasmin laughed as they pulled apart,”Oh the torture.I'd never do that to you ever again.”

“Yasmin.” Yasmin looked behind Tasmiya with a smile,her father had come forward.

“Daddy.” Uzair opened his arms and Yasmin walked into them.She hugged her father back and she felt safe,at home.

“You didn't have to come.” Her father's first words were as she pulled back and Yasmin smiled reassuringly.

“Don't worry dad.If I didn't come your favorite niece would have murdered me with timjan.” Uzair laughed and turned with Yasmin to greet her uncles.

“As salaam mu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa brakatu everyone.”

Her Nana,Ishaaq came forward and Yasmin hugged him,”As salaam mu alaykum Nana.How are you?”

Nana smiled at her as she pulled dback and he smiled brightly,”As good as I was when you spoke to me on the phone last night.Go meet your nani otherwise she won't spare me.That woman still scares me 56 years after our wedding.”

Yasmin laughed the she glanced at Tasmiya who nodded and they both walked to where the women were sitting.

“They all ready to claw through you.Don't worry I got your back.” Tasmiya whispered to her as the women came into view.

“Yasmin,you here.”

Yasmin walked to her mum and bent down to hug her,”Jee mum.”

Yasmin walked around the table greeting everyone and all of them had a similar greeting to her which either was “We seeing you after so long” or “we missed you so much” or “you look so different”.

Yasmin bent down to hug nani who kissed her forehead then whispered in her ear,”You have  our permission to put them all in their places tonight.We won't stop you.”

Yasmin nodded,laughing as she walked to Tasmiya.As soon as she was next to Tasmiya once again,”Yasu is going to help me dish out.You'll can talk to her later.”

Tasmiya did not give anyone a chance to response as she pulled Yasmin away.

“Gosh that was weird.What's up with them?” Yasmin asked as she dishes out food and she felt Tasmiya shuffle closer to her.

“They all want to have a piece of you and there is no way in hell I'd leave you alone with them while I'm here.By the way Miss.Know-It-All is getting enageged soon In Sha Allah.”

Yasmin nosed,”Oh that's great MashaAllah.When?”

“Don't know.Maybe soon but we'll only know once we get the invite.”

“Ohh your famous pasta.”

“Made it just for you.”

Yamsin smiled at Tasmiya,mockingly,”And if I hadn't come then?”

Tasmiya smiled sickeningly sweetly at Yasmin which if she did not know her cousin would make her scared but she knew Tasmiya too well,to know that was her ‘I'm up to no good’ smile.

“I would have put timjan in it and brought it to you tomorrow.”

Yasmin laughed and Tasmiya joined her.

“What did nani tell you?”

Yasmin smirked at her,lowering her voice,”She said I have permission to put everyone in their places.Gosh I think we gonna have drama.”

Tasmiya nodded,”Good.They deserve it even my daddy.I swear he doesn't learn when nani shouts him and stops talking to him.Tonight he won't even open his mouth.”

Yasmin shook her head,”Oh he will.All ammunition is out and I'm the target.”

Tamsiya wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave a good squeeze,”Well,you've got me as your shield.Ain’t nobody hurting my bish.”

Her cousins from outside along with the children came in.Tasmiya and her brother playfully argued over something and soon the food was hot.

“All the foods hot.Let's get on the table.Better put your claws to use,they'll come in handy to defend yourself against there people.”

Yasmin giggles and she took two platters to put on the table.Oh so today they decided to sit on one table,Yay this was gonna be fun (p.s.note the sarcasm.)

Everyone sat down and Tasmiya was quick to sit next to her.Opposite her was Aliaya aka Miss.Know-it-all but Yasmin ignored her.

“So Yasmin,how's work going?”

Strike one!

Yasmin looked at her eldest uncle,Yusuf with a smile pasted on her face,”Alhumdullilah its going well.I am still teaching at Boksburg Muslim School.”

“You still living alone?”

Strike two!

This was asked by Aliyah’s mum and her aunt,Arifah,”Jee I'm still living alone at the complex.Ma and papa's house is just five minutes away so it's okay for me.”

“You still checking in with them?”

Strike three!

Yasmin looked at her second uncle,Ibrahim and she nodded,”Jee I still do.I have lunch with them every Friday.”

“Oh but you don't have lunch with your own parents?”

Strike four!

Yasmin knew the exact answer to that question that Ibrahim mamajew wife,Mumtaz had asked.

“When was the last time you had lunch with Nana and nani choti mummy?” Mumtaz immediately looked down and Yasmin went back to eating but then decided to answer the question.

“Mummy and daddy are busy during the week and on the weekends.I am working.During the holidays mummy and daddy take off so forgive me if I can't.Daddy tries to come visit me with mummy and I've never said th ey can't come to my house.Unlike you gori mummy,both my parents and unlike your sons we work so one of my parents can't be like a bee around my house all the time,just like I have to be at school.”

Yasmin went back to eating and she could feel everyone's eyes on her.They knew not to push her but yet they did and now she was waiting for someone to give her a strike five.

“So any guys we need to know you have in your life?”

Strike five!

It was from Aliyah and this time Yasmin did not hold back,”No I don't.By the way I heard you getting engaged,Mubarak.” Yasmin looked at her khala,”You didn't even see the need to tell me,Khala?Afraid that a widow will cast nazar on your daughter?”

Now was when Tasmiya stepped in,knowing her cousin was about to blast at all these people.

“Enough with questioning Yasmin like she's a terrorist.We all are here to have a good time.Everyone eat and talk about other things,talk to other people except Yasmin.”

Yasmin glanced at her mother who was glaring at her.She could hear the lecture she was about to get from a mile away.If looks could kill she would be ten feet underground but it was not her fault.They knew if they said anything offensive or did anything offensive Yasmin would retaliate,elder or small person.

Someone cleared their throat and Yasmin lifted her head to look around.Her eyes fell on her Nana and nani who were smiling at one another.Yasmin knew that smile they were about to put someone on fire for troubling their favorite grandchild.

“Ubaidullah,when are you graduating?” Nani asked and Yasmin glanced at her Nana,only for him to wink at her and Yasmin knew this was going to be interesting.

Ubaidullah was two years older then Yasmin and studying teaching.He had started before Yasmin but was still not done and Yasmin knew where this was headed.While it had taken Yasmin three and a half years,it was taking him six years.

“Ahh end of this year.”

Nani nodded,”It's taking you six years to finish your degree but look at Yasmin.She got married at 19,finished her degree and was a housewife until her husband passed away.Now she's working and you still sitting at him.What a shame.”

Tasmiya who had been sipping on juice almost burst out laughing and Yasmin quickly nudged her,”Don't.”

Aunty Arifah’s husband,Nizaam quickly spoke,”Mummy,that was because he changed university and even went to Saudi for a year.”

This time Nana spoke,”And as a parent you could have stopped that but no.You let him do what he wants.Our dear Yasmin such a good child always doing as Uzair wanted her to do.Oh Shuaib,when will we be seeing you with a wife?Isn't it high time you got married?”

“Daddy his still too young.” Ibrahim mamajee said,trying to stop his parents and Nana looked at him appalled,as if he could not believe his son just said that.

“Too young my foot.When Muhammed was that age he got married to our Yasmin and ran a successful home with her.I was that age when I got married sand so were you.Too young.More like too lazy.Everyone wants to jump on Yasmin but there are worst youngsters here especially the boys of our family who are useless.At least we got one grandchild by whose name we get recognized.Even Aliyah is so useless.All I hear about her is rumors of her being with this boy and that boy.Arifah exercise control on your own daughter before you exercise control on Yasmin.Shuakr alhumdullilah otherwise all the others only bring us shame.Then you'll want to complain about Yasmin and ask her stupid questions.”

Yasmin looked at her Nana who now had tears in his eyes,”My child is living very difficulty,don't make it more difficult for her and don't me make regret getting your mother pregnanat with such cowards.” Nana looked at Ayesha who kept her head down now,”Ayesha,you will not shout my granddaughter for talking to these people the way that she did.We all know that Yasmin is not one to take nonsense so no one here has the right to feel bad.I everytime give you'll this advice but today I want to be extra clear.No more such questions for her or else you all will watch us get up and walk away from this family.Now finish eating,I saw that Yasmin brought my favorite dessert and I want to eat it.”

No one asked Yasmin anymore questions and Tasmiya smirked at a sulking Aliyah.

The night went smoothly  from there on and when Yasmin was ready to leave she greeted everyone inside but her Nana and nani came with her outside.

“You'll shouldn't have come drop me,Nana and nani.” Her nani grabbed a hold of her hand and smiled,shaking her head.

“Anything for our favorite granddaughter.Now you better come visit us soon.And forget about our dumb offspring.Trust me we only proud of a few,the others need to first help th themselves before trying to help others.”

“Jazakallah for always taking my side Nana and nani.I love you.”

Nana hugged Yasmin and glancesd at his wife with tears felt eyes as she patted their granddaughters back.

A dua escaped both their hearts,happiness for their beloved granddaughter who despite looking strong was broken on the inside.They wished wholeheartedly that Allah would bless her with someone who would complete both her heart and her.
______________________________________
As salaam mu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa brakatu everyone

So longest chapter in a while and wow I like it I hope you guys like it as well.

Sorry if there are any mistakes I'm writing with a bad bad headache so please forgive me

On Monday one of my high school teachers passed away from cancer.He wa battling cancer for two years,it had started in 2017 when I was in my last year of high school.He was one of my best teachers and he was really chill.He was one of my few non-Muslim teachers in a Muslim school who always made fun of us and told us not to get married to any Mohammed as we are still young.

R.I.P Meneer De Jager aka Mneer DJ ❤️

P.S.Meneer is an Afrikaans word and translated means Mr

So guys I'm actually talking about how Indian families literally are.They are annoying,can't help watch one another grow and will tear anyone down but won't take it if you point their children's faults out cause their children are angels from heaven.And I'm braking stereotypes with supportive grandparents who won't hesitate to put their children in place and defend their grandchildren.
I'm talking about the whole boy child is better,he can get his way and he deserves the world while girl children are disregarded and their feelings disrespected and having a widow or divorcee in your family is a 'bad thing'

Oh and I'm talking of the so called stigma out society has regarding widows.

So cheers to a great fight and even better ones where I'm writing without a headache and actually know what I'm writing.

So translations :

Timjan:A tablet or syrup that cleans your stomach basically making you pop every fifteen-thirty minutes
Nana:maternal grandfather
Nani:maternal grandmother
Mamajee:uncle
Khala:Mother's sister
Choti gori mummy:small aunty,small uncles wife
Chachi:someone who is inquisitive

I feel like I missed out few please tell me if I have

Take care

Love all my readers

Fi Amanilah