Smitten by Helen

RE: AA`s question

``...You a doctor, she a nurse, is this a Mills and Boon doctor-nurse unrequited romance?``

Dear AA,

This of course, is a story from my imagination :). Now it is true, that in real life, I have been known to be, on occasion, aggressively competitive, but 10 years of marriage to Saad (btw he is Sana Shafqat`s brother) has mellowed me a bit.

Here what I wanted to portray was the narrator`s lonely acceptance of her way of life as being the only way she could get her way, careerwise, yet she lacked the courage to pursue an unusual love interest.

The description of the apartment complex is largely based on real life. The names are fictional, and are a play on Homer`s Odyssey and Iliad (Troy, Cilicia, and Lectos are all islands in the Troad, and that`s where `Helen` came from, and that`s why Helen is objectified - from the phrase ``the face that launced a thousand ships``).

RE: slink and sohail,

Interesting - what you two have to say about modern city living. I could indeed see the goings on in the apartment across from my baywindow. And a woman who spent a lot of time doing her hair. But she always did have her clothes on :).

Sohail,

Your praise means a lot to me. Unfortunately, this essay was censored in some parts, which was very disappointing to me. I expected more from Chowk.

Anita

it isn`t just apartments, my mother has little blue binoculars that she uses to peek into my neighbours houses. they have balconys that they use to peep into ours. my parents are kept up to date on my nocturnal comings and goings by magpie-like women who watch each other constantly. this is a very human trait, we`ve all done it (or will once we get the chance and the motivation in the form of a reasonable attractive person)

Anita:

This piece was truly precious. I`ve been away for weeks and when I return there is so much good material that has gone bye that I am just overwhelmed.

Girl, you really have steel in your spine... I loved it. You touch upon a theme which is far too common (yet never mentioned) in our beehive metropolis lives. We`ve all lived on one or the other side of this ``Sliver`` like experience. I once had the occasion to visit the office of a major bank CEO in my city. His office occupies the penthouse of the bank`s skyscraper, and he has a powerful astronomical telescope by the window aimed down at the residential apartment complexs further out. I wonder how many Helens he keeps track of?

...SR

Anita begum, I`ve read some of your other pieces, but this one is truly engaging. It is fun to read, quick and very interesting. Curiosity about another being, whose supposedly private hour is so ``shamelessly`` forced in your face... Very Sliverish. The movie Sliver, I mean. There is a scene in the film where Sharon Stone runs into a father and daughter in the elevator; she had seen the father abuse the daughter through video earlier. Reminds me of your encounters. Also, I like the dual theme of your competitiveness..maybe it din`t fit, but it gives the piece an edge. You a doctor, she a nurse, is this a Mills and Boon doctor-nurse unrequited romance?

Since when did fiction become reality?

why is everyone assuming that this may be real? critiques as these at times scare me..is it...i am what i write?

anita..i love the absence of confusion or deep soul searching. :)

z.rizvi

Re: Rishi, Reply 8

Talk about arrogant ignorance!

Dear everyone,

Comments/critique appreciated. Muchos gracias.

Anita

Re: Godot

Exactly my thoughts.

I can definitely relate to the diabolically angelic type A character and even understand her voyeuristic tendencies.

Enjoyed reading it alot... even at a time when I`m getting ready to ``elbow`` my way to first attaining and then surviving a Surgical Residency

I missed your point. Is this about a lesbian fantasy or about how intelligent and competitive you are?

an interesting and well written piece. thoroughly enjoyed it.
thanks

kal jou achanak

phir takraeen oon say nighahaiN

hashr badaamaan phir hua takhayyul

wahimay aaye ho kar oojaagar

magr in rishtouN ka bojh

ab kon oothaiye

kaisay oothaiye?

It takes guts to write about homoerotic feelings. I do have a question though - did your husband ever know about your fantasies?