My essay “Devouring Mangoes with Gusto” appeared in Dawn Books & Author’s special Independence Day issue.

As we listen to Tina Sani’s new album, Bahar Aayi, with Faiz Ahmed Faiz lyrics, Minal says: “I’m so glad you were born in Pakistan so we can listen to this music.” Earlier in the day, she comments: “How do squirrels know their partners if they all look the...

The day we are flying out is packed with drama. My mother is supposed to head out to the airport a few hours before us to catch a flight to Lahore, but a few hours before her flight is to take off a friend calls us and alerts us...

I’ve been trying to go to Bohri Bazaar for weeks. Today, one day before my departure, I inform everyone, “I’m going.” “The traffic’s supposed to be terrible,” my sister Beena says. “There’s some sort of strike—electrical company issues this time. And the streets are jammed.” “Let’s just go,” I...

The internet connection at our house has been more erratic lately, making the job of regular blogging more of a challenge. In the meantime, the violence has subsided in Orangi and Qasbah Colony, but has now flared up in Lyari where a random murder caused the death of seven...

Minal stands barefoot in the living room and places her foot next to a black rain-ant, the size of two of her fingernails put together. As the ant moves to one side, Minal drops to the ground to watch it closer. As a result of pending rain, many rain...

Today is Ammi’s birthday, and she receives three streams of visitors who bring cake, flowers and other treats. At night we drop by for a late tea at Asif and Seemi Farrukhi’s home and experience a living room art moment when poet Zehra Nigah reads an essay about Indian...