Chapter 10 | Mamas son

In the fall of 1991, my brother, and Mama's first son was born. Miya and I had no idea that his name was not 'my son' until couple of months later. We would always hear Mama refer to him as my 'son' and we had formed the habit.

'Mama your son is crying.'

'Mama your son needs a nappy change.'

'Mama, can we put your son in the bath now?'

This had never phased us though. He was the apple of Mama's eye and we were just glad for a brother. When I was older, Mama had admitted that her motherly obligations were done in a rather perfunctory manner when it came to me.

She said she did everything she was required to do but it lacked the enthusiasm and love that usually came with the birth of the first child.I don't think I was troubled by this confession though because for me, Mama was Mama and I couldn't take that away from her even if I wanted to.

I was the eldest granddaughter on Mama's side of the family but Mama's 'son' received all the glory. He had the cutest smile and even if we tried to be dispelled by his charm it could never have worked.

Mama's 'son' had an actual name as we later discovered. He was named Eesa, the Arabic name of Jesus.

"By the One in Whose hand is my self, definitely the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just judge. He will break the cross [annul the worship of the cross], kill the pig [he will eliminate the superstitious beliefs included in the Christianity during latter periods], and abolish the jizya (a head tax on free non-Muslims living under Muslim rule)." (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

I started attending madressa classes when I was four. Then, Islamic institutes had yet to establish themselves and hence our options were limited. In choosing between Newtown and Bree Primary, my parents chose Newtown. It wasn't tough though. Being brought up with an Islamic mindset had instilled in me the understanding that Islam and maintaining my identity as a Muslim came before all else.

In the day I attended Creche. Then, preschool wasn't a must. Creche provided day time entertainment at reasonable charges. something to keep kids entertained without any hard and fast rules. I remember making marie biscuit treats, decorated with jelly tots that we had stuck on into a smiley face with icing. I also recall peeing in my pants because i was too afraid to ask for permission to use the bathroom. Embarrassing times.

When we still lived in Crown Mines I was fed Marie biscuits and tea at merely three months. Not by Mama though, by two unmarried sisters that lived in the flat nearby. Mama said she didn't have the courage to tell them no and so she watched as I relished in the taste of something different.

Till today, I am still fond of Marie biscuits and tea. I guess some habits just stick with us.