Parents, (Z)AA(W)D(I)ASS, Z and Me

The ultimate test of a relationship is to disagree but to hold hands.
- Quoted by Alexandra Penney in Self

I knew my parents would never give me the permission. Yet I had decided to take a chance. I had decided that I wouldn't be asking for the second time if they refused. I had felt I had a rejection even before I could ask. I told my father about the plan and politely enquired if I cold join my friends. He agreed. Few minutes later mamma too agreed. It's not that I couldn't believe but I knew there were new experiences waiting for me. So inshAllah on Saturday at 12 noon I would be boarding a train to Coimbatore with seven more friends. We will visit Ooty, Kodaikanal and perhaps even Coonoor. InshAllah we will be back on 29th.

I had never been out of house for so long anytime before. With my parents and brother I have been to many places but this time I won't have them around and it will be my longest time outside Hyderabad. There is a bit of anxiety and questions like "why am I going?" or "is it the right thing I am doing?" The answer is simple: we have such questions whenever we get to do something for the first time even if it is made perfectly alright by Allah. I only hope I remain in accordance to what Allah wants from us. I will miss my parents and brother with no doubt, but with seven friends around, I will miss the other five, who won't be with me, a lot more. I don't even know how it's going to be. I would have as well stayed back home and met them at least once. But it's time for me to go. Time won't let me wait for them. They won't wait for me.

I had to iron five pairs of clothes - one to be worn for the journey and four once I reach there. I had to spend some time deciding what all I might be needing and what kind of clothes I must carry. I am still not sure if I should carry my shaving kit with me. I am leaving the deodorants back home. I spent time on deciding which jacket I might be needing there. I made my arms and legs do some physical work after a lot many days. I even walked around 5 kilometers today. It wasn't fun at all but it was peaceful. I will be back in five days but it seems to be a bit larger than what it could ever be - I might not get a chance to spend so much time with these friends again. I would butcher the whole world to have the other five with me in a similar way - colloquially! Nobody does that.