I woke up this morning and immediately I heard the grunting cries of the camels, slowly drifting over the dunes. That is my wake up call. Soon after, I wake Shabanu, Phulan, my wife, Auntie and my two nephews too the platform for the call to prayer. After, my wife, Phulan and Auntie get the meal ready while Shabanu and I make sure everything is ready for the day. Once we come back to the hut, we have a quick breakfast of Chapatis, goat milk and dried dates; Than we set off, out into the desert.
Once out of the inclosure, we Make our way towards the toba, since it rained a couple of days ago, the water edge has gone up about 8 meters[26 feet]. The wildflowers, trees and shrubs have grown magnificent, and now as I go to wake the camels; Shabanu takes guluband, many baskets and buckets and goes out to collect Figs, dates, Prunes and many other foods from the trees and flowering bushes; she then goes to collect water from the toba. She does hat run a couple of times and we thank Allah from the bottom of our hearts; and start to sing, “Allah-o-Akbar, Allah-o-Akbar.”
As the day wares on, and the sun reaches its climax, Phulan Comes from home with cold chapatis, goats milk and Dried Figs, Prunes, Dates and other nuts. We then go back to herding the camels, and Shabanu and I, pass the Indian-Pakistani border and talk and talk so much, that we find ourselves about 18 kilometers[33 miles] away from the huts.
When we arrive home, everyone is so worried because we were supposed to be home over two hours ago. Even though we missed but they did the call to prayer, we do it again. It lasts an extra 20 minutes, because we have to say our apologies to Allah, for being late to the call to prayer. We eat a quick dinner, and then go to bed.
Father, I was so worried when you came late. Thank you for taking care of us after all these years. It seems we have the same routine everyday. Also I would like to tell you that the women are doing just fine and I cannot wait for my wedding with Hamir. You protect this family, more than any other dad would- Your daughter, Phulan
Phulan, Even though you are a girl, you are someone who makes her father pretty proud. Make sure to have a lot of sons though.
Of course Dadi.
But you should always obey Hamir.
Oh honey I remember that day. You scared me half to death when you where out so late. I thought the Tahliban had captured you and you where never coming back. But I dont rememeber eating dried prunes that day. I do remember having lentals. Oh yes, and also Guliband knocked me over that day. I was caring some water from the toba and he rammed right into me. Those were the good days.