While running errands for my mother today, I found myself standing in Shoprite’s long queue. If you know me at all, you’d know that in large crowds I never know where to focus my attention and therefore come across as that creepy person standing in one spot but looking around constantly.
That was when I noticed this old uncle standing behind me. He seemed to be around 70 years old but hey looks can be deceiving, I am living proof of that. Nevertheless, this uncle offered the warmest, broadest smile humanly possible when he noticed me looking at me. So here I am, waiting as the teller scanned my items. I took a step back in order to have a clear view of the monitor. See, I like knowing how much i have to pay before I am told by the teller. I hate being the person in the queue who holds up the process because I can’t find my money when I knew the teller was just about done scanning. Also I like to just hand over the money before the teller can complete saying “its R200″, somehow it leaves them baffled and I’m like oh yeah, I’m badass.
As old as he was, he was observant. He leaned in and whispered, with a look of concern, ” Do you have enough? If you don’t, just tell me i can help.” I looked back at this uncle and smiled saying ” no i have enough, thank you”. Logically I then paid my dues and turned to grab my parcel and rushed out, I’m that person that is always in a hurry, when this kind old stranger said to me: “if you wait a second I’ll carry your parcel”. I laughed at the strangeness behind that offer. Here is an old man, probably old enough to be my grandfather, who is offering to carry my parcel whereas that should be something I did right? Well, me being me, that’s exactly what I did. I told him that me being younger meant I should carry his parcel for him. To this, he laughed citing that “a man should always carry the burden of a woman and never the other way around”. I thanked him for his kindness and made my way to my car. Coming home with huge grin on my face obviously meant my mother would ask “what are you smiling for?” After narrating the story to her, mum added “ah but its a dying generation, one that does for others out of sheer pleasure”. How true is that? I don’t think people of our generation would happily offer money to a stranger at a till who didn’t have enough to pay their bill.
Mum then laughed saying “you and these old uncles”, which then got me thinking about an incident that happened sometime earlier this year. My parents run a feeding scheme every month and sometimes every odd month at a local orphanage. I am normally given the task of buying whatever is required. On this particular day I was at Fruit & Veg, waiting for 13 dozen rolls, (now if you ever see me purchasing large quantities of food please know that its not for me. I don’t think its humanly possible for a person to eat that much), when this old Muslim uncle with a long beard and kurta noticed me. His first question was: “Having a walima?” lol why do people always associate large amounts of bread to a walima, I will never know.
After explaining to him my reasons for the large order this uncle gave me his number, under the pretext, of wanting more information about this feeding scheme. Safe to say this wasn’t exactly his reason. An hour later when my mum called him to provide him with more information, this is how the conversation went: Mum: Asalaam ualaikum Uncle Mohammed. You met my daughter in Fruit & Veg and she mentioned that you wanted some information regarding the orphanage Uncle: Was-Salaam Bhen.(sister). Yes i did but tell me is your daughter married? Mum, looking slightly confused: No she isn’t married. She’s still at home I have no idea why my mother had to inform a complete stranger that I lived at home. Besides in an Indian community did single not mean “living with parents”? Uncle: oh Masha-Allah! you know Bhen, I spoke to your daughter and I liked her a lot. I have three nephews, I think she could be suited for one of them. She speaks well for such a young girl and with so much respect. Mum: (who at this point seemed to be quite amused) yes, she is a very good girl. I will have to ask her about your nephews, it has to be her choice, and then I’ll get back to you.
The uncle went on to give my mother a lecture about “when a girl becomes of marriageable age”. The conversation ended with these words “You know Bhen, its not good to keep a good girl who is of marriageable age in the house”. What then were my parents supposed to do? Put up a tent outside? “Sorry, but because you single you are confined to a tent”. If you know me from Facebook then you can probably see where this topic is headed. If you don’t know me at all, then I guess you just going to have to wait and see. Mumtaz Moosa Saleh, the next one is for you.. Till next time..
My Raw version of life 