balk7861@g*******m

Today was the day, I dreamed about for so many years, I was finally going to pakistan. Because of my gcses, I couldn't go to see my (nani) my mother's -mum. I was super excited, I took out all my best clothes to pack, my colourful, bright, sparkling, shalwar kameez, I didn't care if I looked like a Christmas tree. Over there they all dressed up in bright colours. "zainab I hope your not putting to many things in your suitcase" said mum "just what I need" I replied . I stuffed whatever I could fit in my small suitcase, then i ate a big, fat, vegetable samosa, before we set of in the taxi. I heard the food is horrendous on the planes, so I wouldn't risk eating on the plane. We waited 2 hours, then boarded the plane. (PIA) it was called. finally, after a long nap we reached there, soon as the door opened, the heat just hit me straight in the face. It was july, so the weather was extremely hot, my uncle Javed, came to collect us he was so happy, and joyful, it made me feel emotional. we headed straight to my nani's house, on the way there, the roads were so scary, and narrow, i dont think i have ever seen anything like that, not even in a horror movies. it looked like we were going up a hill that we could fall off from at anytime, it was a horrifying experience. Finally, we reached alive. "thank god" I said. the house was very different, compared to the house I lived in, in England, It was nothing like the palace, I imagined it to be. Soon as I walked in, we got kissed on the face, from so many relatives, yuk, I thought. I had to wash my face with soap, three times! I saw Nani, sitting on a seatee, she was so happy to see me, she was crying, which made me feel sad, seeing her like that made me feel like, I couldn't be apart from her again! Grandma's neighbour Nasreen was also there, she started praising me, she brought me lot's of gifts too. She must have really liked me. We all sat down together, for a family meal , there was pilau rice, kebabs , red roast, meat curry , chappati, pakoras ,and desserts from the asian bakery. Gulab jaman was my favourite, it tasted like heaven, so soft, so moist, and very sweet. After dinner I spoke to my Nani, for hour, telling her all about my school, and my best friend Neelam, Then I was tired, the journey had really drained me, I was exhausted, I saw a wooden big bed, Nani said "it was made especially for me", so I jumped straight in . The next day, I woke up to a bright light, it illuminated the whole room, everyone else was sleeping outside. In the veranda, it's a room made outside! visitors then started coming to see us, mum just smiled and started making tea. Nasreen, grandma's neighbour had invited us all , for dinner in the evening it was called a dawat. -(dinner invite) I was quite excited, I could finally dress up, I thought. We sat down for breakfast with our desi tea, and pratas. I loved the atmosphere, the birds were singing, the cows were mooing, the smell was so different, yet pleasant. I looked over and saw the baby sheep that grandma had brought for eid. I felt a feeling of sadness, would they know that they would eventually get killed and eaten? Pakistan was beautiful, it had beauty in everything, the fields were bright green, with beautiful big yellow flowers, Nani said " it was spinach season", known as (saag ) there was fresh produce everywhere, Nani had a big orange tree, and a mango tree in her veranda, I ran up, and down the fields, which were at the back of the house, my cousins. Samera , Selina, Sana and Sameena came too, they were my uncle fareed's daughters he always wanted a son, but god blessed him, with four beautiful daughter's. After playing for a hour, we finally decided to go back home, after all I needed to get ready for aunty Nasreens dawat. "Samera can you do my hair, like yours, in a braid" I asked her. "yes" she replied smiling, I wore my beautiful pink shalwar kameez, that had gold embroidery printed on it, and a matching gold scarf. My cousin sisters, also got ready they looked gorgeous, with their long brown, beautiful hair, they were all tall, in height and had amazing slim figures, They had angelic faces, their features were stunning, their light brown eyes, their light skin complexion, it complimented them well. ( pakistan spice girls! ) i thought. We walked down a very narrow alley, to aunty Nasreen's house. Her house was very big, and modern unlike Nani's, which was a bit old fashioned, I could smell fresh kebabs, it made my mouth water, I could see she went through great effort, fresh flowers were placed on the table, next to cold drinks, snacks, fruit trays, that had all been carefully decorated. with hot pots, all wating to be opened, full of yummy, surprises. she told us not to be shy, so we started helping ourself to drinks, while I was drinking my cold fanta in a glass bottle. I saw a young man, riding a motorbike, he must have come back from somewhere. Sameena laughed, then blushed "who is that" I asked quietly. "Usman jaan" Sana whispered. "He is so so handsome isn't he"? said Sameena I looked again and then saw the most gorgeous eyes, I have ever seen, emerald green, with a hint of turquoise, like the colour of the sea, his face was a light complexion, with high cheekbones, he was tall, and muscular. He started walking , towards us, "salam walaikum" he said . I was lost for words at this point. My words wouldn't come out! Aunty Nasreen smiled then said "this is my lovely son Usman, my shehzada" (prince) "walaikum salam" everyone else replied, my cousin's started to blush, all at the same time, I could feel my cheeks started burning up too. When he smiled, and looked straight at me, I thought my heart had suddenly stopped beating. my chest started tightening, I wasn't sure what this feeling was? or why I was feeling like this? I wanted the ground to open wide, and swallow me up at that point. I felt a feeling of embarrassment, I couldn't stop my cheeks from burning up, His deep jawline, with deep dimples, he was so handsome, why couldn't I control my inner emotions? he looked better then any actor, I have ever seen on tv, was I dreaming or was this guy actually for real ... I tried to look away, but I could see him still smiling, great now I look stupid I thought in my head. "let's all eat together"said aunty Nasreen. I hoped he would go sit somewhere else, so I could enjoy my food, without thinking about him. after a few minutes, he grabbed a cold drink and headed of to his room Aunty Nasreen started to serve up her traditional dishes, they smelled so wonderful but my appetite had died. My stomach couldn't get rid of that funny feeling. I looked at my cousin's, who were giggling amongst themselves, they hardly ate too. I did put some kebabs in my plate, so it wasn't to obvious. I drank my cold drink, and chatted for a while about life in England. finally it was time to go home, which I was glad about. we all went in uncle javed's car, it was a struggle, but we managed to fit we sat on each other's laps. it was hilarious, my aunty and mum walked back .it wasn't far, soon as i got there, i went to to get changed in the guest room , i felt better instantly i threw of my shalwar kameez ,and put on my comfy pajamas. I still couldn't get my thoughts to go away Usman was on my mind. I don't know why? I don't even know him? I thought. I got ready and went to the veranda, my family was all sitting there talking. my cousins were playing a board game, mum said the electric was of because in Pakistan the government takes it for a few hours, they put on lanterns and torches.