Doctor, Can You Give Me Something for the Pain?

``First chance I get, I’ll whisk her off to one of those new cafes, where reality doesn’t go because it can’t afford the cappuccino.``

Actually, this reminds me of seeing reality working in one of those fancy cafes. And when this girl`s shift was over - i saw her donning a proper hijab and a proper burqa over her fashionable cafe-outfit before she took off. It is always amusing to see how in-your-face, the whole class-circus gets on a karachi street.

great piece.

Shandana:
Excellent piece. Equality of genders in Islamic context is superbly described in: ``They are equal in a way that man and woman can never be.``
Mohammad Gill

this was simply wonderful and a joy to read, even though misogyny is a malignant disease that infects most men (and increasingly, women) in pakistan ............

Shandana,

Such a collage, different forms creating a new whole. A dhobi, infants/toddlers, bearded Mullahs, a harrassed Gori, a driver, the water man ... and a hijhra to bind them all together ... lol.

Good work.

[......First chance I get, I’ll whisk her off to one of those new cafes, where reality doesn’t go because it can’t afford the cappuccino.]

You wouldn`t be making a sly reference to our Editor here, would you? (Evil grin)

Very funny and yet so touching! There is a spontaneity to your writing which is very original.

They all show up - a mad Mullah, a hot Hizra, a ``helping`` hubby, an dirty dhobi, and a rascally rickshaw-driver. I think that the ladies of Pakistan indeed have a very FULL life!

Good luck with that driver`s license. Don`t get into any accidents! You may run into a crooked cop!

[....ball bearings, and everyone knows they always roll in the right direction should you care to chop and toss.]
Ball bearings actually can roll both ways, indeed!