A Teacup in My Hand

Tahera Sajid,

Touching story. It made me think seekingly about the fickle nature of humanity; how one person in a relationship, like a dysfunctional wheel, could separate from the when the road to life became discomforting.

I have heard so many times the cliche: ``Love will survive.`` It almost makes the phenomenon of love sound like an objective, living entity. Well, love is only as real as it is in mutual capacity felt and lived and understood.

I like this piece of prose but would also like to know what the message the author wants to send across. Also, given the cultural and religious tradition in this context, was Umar wrong in obeying his mother or was it unreasonable of Sonya to act the way she did? A further illucidated perspective on these issues would be helpful in understanding the piece better.

However, I can feel Sonya`s rage by these lines:

``She opened the door. There he stood, unshaven and dishevelled. She felt no love for him, only contempt.

With one swift movement, she slapped him hard across his cheek – the cheek she had touched lovingly so many times in the past.

He stared in disbelief.

“Don’t ever come here again.” She muttered coldly.

Umar saw steely resolve in her eyes… and knew he was beaten.``

Peace!

#36 Philosopher

Yaar, may I gently enquire why you are so upset with me? To the best of my knowledge, I have never interacted with you. :)

Re: # 34hamidm2 gadhay

only a person of your calibre can admire a 3rd class man like bjkumar.

you are going very well to your third class mentality.and man dont try to creat `awareness` in me coz baby i m adoing phd in philosophy and i am miles away from what your countless forefatherfathers can imagine. i know u r a `balanced` nation. but u wont concentratere.i know. i am Quran

#34
:)

Re: # 26


bj mian,

....... i think you have some real talent and a great future as a writer of sappy paperbacks that make women cry and drive real men to puke and cry out: ``Praised be God that he has not created me a gentile! Praised be God that he has not created me a woman! Praised be God that he has not created me an ignoramus !`` ....... unfortunately some of can`t be so sure about the last one ..........

...... anyway, i don`t mean to belittle tahera`s skills as an aspiring m&b authorette (no, that is not a real word), but i`d rather od on dean koontz, john grisham and stephen king before i touch this sissy stuff ........

Re: # 24
You wrote,

...a woman...always has the right for khula.... the wife can ask for khula for no reason at all...

Well according to the Sahria`ah (that you seem to have read something about), does NOT allow women to seek khula without a valid reason; these `reasons` are actually enumerated in Islamic Jurisprudence and are only a few.

Again the right of a woman to divorce her husband is absolutely NOT allowed in Sharia`ah. This right of a woman to divorce is actually a part of the ``Family Laws`` in Pakistan, enacted by President Ayub in early 1960s. This has nothing to do with Sharia’ah; it is just a specific Civil Law in Pakistan, to provide some protection to women in an otherwise completely unequal situation in marriage. Infact most of the religious leaders in Pakistan have been doing their utmost for years to repeal these very laws.

Therefore in Pakistan when a women who keeps a right to divorce her husband, goes to the court to do the same, it is still called `khula` (not talaaq) because technically she cannot give `talaaq` to her husband under the Sharia`ah Law. The only difference from a `regular` khula here is that she does not have to provide any justification/reason for her decision; while otherwise she would have to come up with a `justifiable reason`. In either case in Pakistani court it is called `khula` and not `talaaq`.

Although I think this debate about the exact terminology is useless while assessing a short story such as this (it is divorce whichever way you see it), I am writing these comments as a student of law, with the hope that in future before you post any rude comments again, you would first go and read about whatever you are writing yourself.

As far as the article itself is concerned, it simply had me enthralled from the beginning to the end. I never seemed to have lost my interest and curiosity as to what was coming next. The theme of the story was good and relevant to the present. It proceeded seamlessly so that there never seemed a break in the narrative. That is great storytelling. Although the story could have taken so many turns, it is the choice of the author to take it where she wants it to go. I don`t think the story was predictable; maybe because I really can`t see into the future! There is a strong message of hope for so many women like Sonya who might otherwise simply `accept their fate`. Great story. Way to go Tahera. Hope to see more from you.

Re: # 22

Rahul - I read it differently. The writer has compared the couple early on and also declared them total opposites of each other. Sonya`s picture was depicted very different from what she ended up taking on at the end. And that happens with quite a few women in her shoes. Obviously, they end up becoming more responsible with different kind of responsibility that falls on their shoulders.

To answer you first question on her hubby`s persona, I think in the few paras that becomes very clear.

See, I am fine with the theme and obviously the writer has tried to fit her theme in the story or take the story to the theme -- whatever. Interestingly, this type of stories keep on staying longer than any mills and boon stuff (very dear to mohtaram hamidm`s heart). I would question that why won`t a fiction story of love and betrayal have more challenging characters. After all, a writer can make her characters play a role that she desires them to. No ? Does she have to stay in the boundaries of cultural norms? Am I askig for too much?She could have portrayed an average woman suing her husband for marrying without her permisson. Why did not Sonya adopt Ujala early on in her marriage? This type of stories will further promote the mental degradation that already exists in South Asian society. Yes, you can appreciate fiction as fiction, but as I said earlier many of these stories are influenced by the surrounding culture. So, in 2007, one should not be giving examples of what may have been fine in 1700s. We should have higher standards from our average women. Only then we have a right to celebrate the women`s history month. Otherwise, we should celebrate mental degradation among women.

Z

Re: # 25

:)

Well TS...do you see yourself as Mills and Boon material? I would have thought Virago more likely.

TBoB

Re: # 18

Thanks for your candid analysis...
Ideally, perhaps, many things should`ve been different... but Sonya was just an ordinary woman, trying to survive in extraordinary circumstances ... trying, actually, to preserve her self respect! Yes, a lot could`ve been different...and it would`ve been a completely different story!!! Sorry you found the `teacup` lacking in many ways! :)

Re: # 23

Thanks for your comments...appreciating my style and putting forth your views.
I was hoping to create a character in Sonya that drew sympathy plus inspiration... Sonya`s strong conviction in her stand helped her go on with her life, hence the element of inspiration. Similarly, since the life she had to leave behind was much cherished, it would surely be missed...perhaps forever, and she would draw sympathy on that account!!! :) Glad you enjoyed the piece, though, even if it didn’t inspire you!

Re: # 21

Thanks for your very kind remarks... critique plus appreciation!
That`s a good point...Umar`s character could`ve been developed in more detail and it might have made his actions (or inaction!) more understandable....or it might have shifted the focus from Sonya`s ordeal whom I wanted to be the central figure!!! :) Pleased to know you liked my writing style and found the story to be an enjoyable read!

#25 Hamidm2

[haven`t read anything like this since ``the sheikh`s unwilling wife`` by sharon kendrick]

Mian, that link you gave contains some real gunpowder of a plot!

Wow!

I read from the description:

“...The Sheikh will claim his wife…

It’s been five years since Ayesha set eyes on her impossibly attractive husband from Islamabad – five years since she walked out on their sham of a marriage and took her five children with her – as well as a precious secret. But she’s always known that he will come for her – finally motivated to do the right thing, through the urgings of the local Mullah – who would have it no other way! And when he does she will be lost to the sensual promise of his glittering black eyes – those joyous encounters sans the encumbering foreskin… And she will melt like freshly-made butter and submit!

Submit to the yearnings of the flesh – at the urgings of the Mullah – the Sheikh!

Since discovering that he is the son of the powerful tribal ruler, her khala is determined that Ayesha should resume her rightful position as his son’s wife and accompany him to the promised land. But how will this proud woman, of Khalistani descent, react when she discovers that he already has a son with another woman in the meanwhile…?”

Like I said, wow!

simply wonderful ! ....... haven`t read anything like this since ``the sheikh`s unwilling wife`` by sharon kendrick ......... i honestly think it should be published - here is a link to a great publisher:

http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/cgi-bin/millsandboon.filereader?45f407ff0054bd08273f58d0dc9e0663+EN/catalogs/NULL

khula and talaaq are two separate things....
even if a woman does not reserve the right for talaaq while signing the nikaak contract, she always has the right for khula....

since u seem to be not so familiar with the Islamic Shari`ah, let me tell u this, the wife can ask for khula for no reason at all, but can not ask for divorce on the basis that her husband has married another woman....

now go and do some homework to learn the difference between talaaq and khulaa....

I really enjoyed the story. The writer created perfect imagery which is what i think good writing is all about. I felt sorry for Sonya - i should have felt inspired by her. this aspect could have been worked on.

Tahera, you should write more often

Regards,

Dee