I sit on the balcony overlooking my apartment’s screensaver: the city’s skyline. A lychee s**u in my right hand, a Dunhill blue in the other, Kashikari ashtray by my side. The two mosques nestled in the kampung below me roar with Arabic prayers and short, … Continue reading The Eid that never was
The world lost a friend today. A friend who was with us through the good and bad times, the ups and downs, throughout the teenage years and the adult years as they are now. The world lost Matthew Perry today, and overestimating his impact on … Continue reading The one where we say goodbye too soon
Happy Independence Day, Pakistan. It’s an unexpected time for my unexpected relationship with the country – my, country. I find myself going back to it repeatedly this year; a stark contrast from the five years I purposefully spent away, not long ago. March, September, December. … Continue reading To 75 years of freedom
The phrase has always held a negative connotation for me. When I was younger, it was used to mark me as selfish – selfish, when all I ever was lost, and helpless. So helpless. The world seemed to be caving in during those days, for … Continue reading me, myself & myra
I’ve recently been pondering on my mother tongue quite a bit. Maybe it has something to do with my being older now and open to things I’d previously thought of as ‘uncool.’ Because, really, what’s with the definition of ‘cool’ anyway? I say this now … Continue reading On language – sans English
It gets really exhausting sometimes, missing people. Embracing long distance friendships one after another knowing that there will come a day – a week, a month, a year later – where they will dissipate, where the word acquaintances would suit you both better than friends. … Continue reading Transience
Believe in yourself. Believe in your strength, believe in all the pain you’ve overcome. All the people you’ve given too much too, or too much of yourself to, never to be returned the favour. All the days you’ve spent analysing how others feel for you, … Continue reading Believe
In this time where many aspects of my life seem – to put it lightly – hopeless, I’ve started to adapt my mindset, to appreciate the little things in life, the little things that bring me joy without the hurdles of my mindbendingly overthinking nature. … Continue reading The little things
As part of the Pakistani diaspora, I’m well aware of my privilege. The privilege to be far away from the country which is – as my father likes to remind me on a weekly basis – my home. The only country that would ‘take’ me … Continue reading How long must women run from Pakistan?
Ramy is Hulu’s – or, in my personal opinion, the world’s – most revolutionary TV series yet. With its second season releasing end of this month, Ramy has woven through the hearts of many Muslims (and awards seasons!) globally with its first season earlier last … Continue reading Why Hulu’s Ramy is essential viewing for every Pakistani millennial [SPOILER FREE]
Writing Better 