“Jannat Ke Pattay” is my go to book. When I can’t decide what I should read, I open this. The characters, the story stays with me. Yet, I find it new every time I read it.

I like how detailed her research is. I like how she interweaves the plot in different time periods. I like how she keeps a balance between fiction and Islamic book. Best of all, I like how her lead couple interact with each other.

Of late, there have been a herd of new writers. They do not shy away from indulging too much into description of a married couple. Even some of the seasoned writers, names I will not mention here; are too vivid in describing the intimate moments. What’s worse, most of the times that seems  forced into narration. Often times I feel sick and ask, do these people have nothing better to do outside of room? If you’ve read “Jannat ke Pattay”, you would be pleasantly surprised that a couple can be close to each other without touch. I remember one such situation, and I site this example to others frequently. Haya confronts Jihan about his over-controlling and over-suspicious nature in deep well of Cappadocia. She comes back, cries and falls asleep. Jihan comes to her room, and awakes her, sitting on the sofa. Wow. The sheer simplicity, of their relationship, and their and undeclared commitment towards each other amazes me.

Another thing I like about her, is that she does not conclude her story. She leaves with a stinging poison in the tail, which keeps haunting you long after you finish reading her book. In her trademark style, she leaves you with a thought, that they will be doing it again.

And so life continues, as do I. I will be writing about my thoughts on some other book, again.