Ayesha at Last

by Uzma Jalaluddin

‘Actions are judged by intentions,

“Your résumé clearly states that you are proficient in numerous programming languages, including Java, Python, and Urdu.” “That last one is actually not a coding lang—” he began, but Sheila interrupted.

“I just had a rishta from a professional wrestler–slash–life coach.”

“And if you think purple and yellow or green and orange are good color combinations for a website, your dress sense no longer surprises me.”

She accepted him as he was, and that gave him the courage to open up.

“What did you do, listen to Islamic spiritual music with the volume turned up? Take up the tabla drums and Sufi whirling?”

“Beta, there is nothing worse than watching your loved ones suffer. Promise you will always choose laughter over tears. Promise you will choose to live in a comedy instead of a tragedy.”

I’m confident that my unique life coaching services will enable you to find your Best Self. When are you free for an initial consult? I’m teaching a preschool mixed martial arts class on Thursday, but otherwise I’m free.

when he wasn’t trying too hard, he could be funny. Sometimes even on purpose.

And once Khalid officially became engaged to Hafsa, Ayesha could continue with her plan to teach high school, write poetry, and die alone.

Salam. I haven’t heard from you. I hope you weren’t offended when I wrote that I’m not into you. At all. Not even a little bit. I still think you’re a great person, despite all your negative energy. Have you ever considered wrestling? With your repressed frustration, you’d be a natural. I could be your coach. We just need to find a signature move.

The chore of taking Nana to the doctor had fallen to Ayesha after he had declared several years ago that he no longer believed in Western medicine. “Your blood pressure medication is the only thing that is keeping you alive, you idiot,” Nani had said when she found out.

I’m about to trademark “Punch of the Seven Veils.” If you don’t want it, one of my preschool mixed martial arts students is showing a lot of promise.

He wasn’t exactly sure what a Muslim Singles Mixer was—maybe all the parents mingled, with their children’s pictures and marriage résumés in hand?

Joyce patted Khalid on the arm. “Do you drink because you’re angry at the United States and their foreign policy?”

My diagnosis, as an accredited life coach, is to confront your feelings head-on. Do some light meditation, followed by power wrestling three times a week.”

Khalid, who gripped the imam’s arm hard. “Where is my mother?” he asked. The imam patted him on the shoulder. “I try never to know the answer to that question.”

She had always seen the world and the people who inhabited it exactly as they were: flawed, imperfect, eager to think the worst of others while excusing their own misdeeds.

“A good teacher grows, they’re not born.

Always leave space in your life to grow and soften.”