The Shadi Craze

I was born in an society where a predefined pattern of life events have to be followed in accordance with the timeline provided. Unfortunately, I wasn't brought up to take care of these insecurities of the society. I was admitted to a school when I was 2 and a half years old. I opted to matriculations instead of o levels, when my friends were planning to join a medical college I was telling my career counsellor I would rather be a patient instead of a doctor. Then while all my university class-fellows were getting married I was plotting the arrest of abductors. I have never really paid attention to what most of my social circle is doing. 

At 27, I have been through enough to say that my experience with people and life surpasses the experience of a 45 year old. Not that it made me any wiser but it definitely has taught me how to react. The people I called friends are the ones talking about how I'm throwing my life away. Their definition of 'life' is being married, with children, a mother in law to bitch about and a sister in law to hate on. My definition of life is freedom. These 'friends' are incapable of thinking about anything that is outside the defined societal patterns of living. I would go ahead and say these are drawn for both genders, however, men have wider time-spans to play with unlike women. Shadi is the only social responsibility our nation seems to be aware of. The morning shows, the news bulletins, fashion shows, music industry, movies, television entertainment shows and drama serials, drawing-room talks, family gatherings, eid, shabraats EVERYTHING you name is based on the concept of Shadi. 

With our obsession with weddings we have forgotten the prime utility of the phenomenon. Every-time the phone rings, life drains out of me. I hate how my relatives are so concerned about why I am not married as yet. I hate to explain it to my parents why I don't like anyone they try to fix me with. I hate the craze all of us have fallen into. My shadi is my problem, looks like everyone else is concerned sick except me. The right to my life is mine. Only if the society respected that. 

Tale of a Shopper with no Shopping List

Thursday - November 7, 2013

Noting down yesterday's expenses and trying not to freak out after checking my online credit statement.

15 hours earlier

I only had a couple of tasks to complete before I could call it a day at office. Luckily I work at an organization where we don't have complete 8 hours if we manage to complete the assigned tasks before that. Today is one of those happy days. So instead of going back home I chose to call my mum and invite her to go shopping with me.

She picks me from office at around 2 PM and we go straight to buy printed tape which my sister loves. Unfortunately when I walk in a shop I never leave unless I buy myself something. Doesn't matter whether I would need it or not. It's like an addiction. Addiction like most of you guys are addicted to tea/coffee/cigarettes. 

Alright, heres a confession: "I am addicted to shopping"

I ended up buying fridge magnets, glass magnets new jewelry boxes for my dressing table two rings. I'm not that bad. Naah really! I loved these two bags they had prints of Kitkat and the other one had London bridge, London eye, buses etc. I din't buy those because my mum didn't let me. Not because I decided so. So I guess I'm bad. 

Next stop was a nation-wide clothing outlet. I tried a few dresses but everything look far-fetched. I've a pretty dull/safe clothing style. Hence I didn't like anything from the clothes but I still bought a bag, a truck art themed laptop carrying bag.

Anyway, while I paid for this bag my mum walked out, by the time I left the shop my mum was in the store next to it. My heart went out when I saw those winter jackets. A must have military jacket of the season. I wanted to run out of the store and at the same time wanted to buy one of those immediately. Alas! I ended up buying a scarf matching ear studs and that winter jacket.

Next we bought shoes, more shoes and shawls my credit card limit exceeded and my mother dragged me back home before my credit bill crossed my paying back ability. I still had to borrow around seven thousand rupees from my dad. 

3:57 PM Nov 7, 2013

With spending more than I had in my bank account I have serious shopping issues. I have been advised to keep a shopping list and a spending diary which I have to strictly follow. I need to find more ways to earn. Because no, i have no intention of ever really giving up my hobby.