Safar 25, 1448 AH
Went shopping because had nothing better to do. We got down at the opposite end of the market so we walked for 10 minutes to reach masjid. Only last year, I discovered that the market I have visited since 2009 (and once even missed Maghrib prayer because I couldn’t find a place to offer namaz, astaghfirullah) has a small dedicated room for namaz for women, right next to Usmaniya masjid. This is very rare in India. Masjids don’t have women section. This one is also a separate room. The only masjid I have seen with women’s section within same masjid so they can join congregation, was Jama Masjid Banglore City. Warna sirf Saudi Arab mein hi namaz ka aisa intezaam dekha hai ki har masjid mein aurton ka bhi section hoga.
First had tea, first tea since I left the house on Tuesday 4-Aug-2026. That’s quite a feat for a teaholic, don’t you think?
Then, picked up 4 dresses for my nieces, haggled a bit; the shopkeeper was adamant, I was more adamant, so left it.
Ate pani puri (delish).
My brother wanted to eat chicken kebab but I refused because last year’s experience was not so good, but this time, I took a bite and ordered one for myself. Really really tasty and for 10 bucks, I can’t imagine how they make any profit.
As we strolled, found two scrape dealers shop. I asked them if they have any novels. I have always wanted to do that since I got into this let’s-get-preloved-books-for-cheap mode. I hardly step out of my house, and this walk through bazaar was my one and only shot. I failed.
One aunty said: “magazines hain.” Sheh.
The other shop uncle asked: “Urdu novels?”
I was ecstatic. “Urdu, English. Anything would do.”
Uncle: “Hain hi nahin.”
Chacha, puchhe kahe thhe?
Bought one abaya, did one round of market, and bought one more. As I said before, I don’t go out much, and have around 18 abayas already but… Sasta mil raha thha, new styles thhe aur mere paas yaha 2 hi layi hoon. Will share photo maybe.
NOTE: This is part of “write one post every day for a year” challenge.
Want more of my trademark philosophy daily? Do three things, not necessarily in that order.
Subscribe to my blog.
Find my books on Amazon.
Show some love!
Shabana Mukhtar