With 18.23 million people in Pakistan, the public here, in general, has large extended families. Every family member contributes to the family differently and has a unique role. So here’s to the people who make the perfect extended family.
1. The Ever-loving Nani or Dadi:
Our Nani’s or Dadi’s (if you are fortunate enough) just love their grandchildren. Their unconditional love makes the hardships of abiding by parent’s code of conduct much easier. Their affection is the real definition of love. Our extended family is incomplete without their endearment, and we are blessed to have them.
2. The Misogynist or Extremist Phupha or Khalu
We all will agree that there exists, at least, one sexist or fundamentalist person in the family who is always there to criticize the western way of doing things. Even thought it might go against their either ethical or religious values, but they are always there to give their unwanted opinions and usually initiate their conversations with “Lekin…”
3. The Phupho:
Oh my God! Don’t we all love our Phuphos (*wink wink). They are the most integral part of our family, the reason behind all the “Phaddas” and the “Mirch Masala” in our family affairs. After all, that is what makes our personal lives happening and stable.
4. The Khala ki beti or Phupho ka beta:
For when the young individuals in the family pass adolescence or graduate, they conventionally first consider their ever-prospective first cousins who are usually the “Khala ki beti” or the “Phupho ka beta”. They are the ones whom your names have been called out with by your siblings since childhood and after crossing adolescence, their presence has only annoyed you more. If you are fortunate enough, you are able to find a new match. Otherwise, you are stuck with them for life!
5. The Rebellious Hero:
And then a family, at least, comprises of that one so-called “Namuna” who managed to break the typical family barriers, mended their way to reach their destination, became a “Bad-ass bacha” in doing so. They broke the unprecedented rules and were successful. They are also despised by a few members of the family, but they are your hero or inspiration. However, there is a good chance that you might be this bacha too.
All in all, in our lifetime, we go through several phases of numerous relationships. At one point in time, we are the young one’s, then the rebellious one’s, then the contributors and then the decision makers. We all are the ever-loved irksome Bachas, the adorable Khalas, the super-adorable Phuphos (*wink wink), the superhero Mamoos or Chachas, the extremely powerful parents and then the solicitous grandparents, and through every phase of life and relationship, we learn and give a lot. Hence, we appreciate all relationships in a family for contributing towards our small world making it more meaningful in their own way. But, hands down, the essentials mentioned above just stand out.
