Some of us face challenges every day. These challenges are at school, at work, or at home. I had a job when I was in college. Some of those days were harder than others. School is hard enough when you’re not running off to make it in time for work. At the same time, you could be at your job knowing there is a paper waiting to be written or a test that needs studying for.
There are other pressures that people need to deal with. It’s not easy, and it’s not fun. There are some people who deal with pressure from their family. Sometimes there are family members who pester people who are single; people who haven’t met “The One” yet. What’s wrong? Why haven’t you met someone yet. It can be annoying. Sometimes, you can be pestered by family members who are anxious for grandchildren. Some will even go so far as to try to fix you up with someone.
Ambreen Khan has written about a woman who is just trying to live her live, but things continue to happen to her no matter what she tries. Ambreen’s book “Love Squared” is about a woman name Midhat. Midhat is a Pakistani risk analyst studying for her MBA in Toronto. She is also engaged to Sufyaan, who is living in Pakistan while his fiancé finishes her studies in Canada.
But the wedding is not to be. “Sufi” breaks up with Midhat, who returns home to Pakistan. She returns to the pity of her family and the curiosity of her grandmother Zeenat, who is concerned with her granddaughter not having a proper marriage and being exposed to the temptations of the Western World.
Midhat does all she can to balance the demands of her job and the expectations of her family. It isn’t easy. She thought she was going to marry Sufi, but he ends the engagement, and Midhat returns to her family with a long list of troubles waiting for her. Among them is her cousin Sarah. Sarah looks like she is living a perfect life and has a fiancé who adores her. Midhat’s life is difficult enough without her cousin needing to orchestrate every last detail of parties and occasions. God forbid something should go wrong. The entire day will be ruined if the smallest thing doesn’t go as planned.
Sarah’s needs and her jealousy cause tension between the cousins. Midhat meets other men Zeenat like better for her “beta”. There is Qutubuddin, a grandchild of an old friend of Zeenat. Zeenat would love to arrange a meeting between Qutubuddin and Midhat and have another dimension to the grandparents’ friendship.
Midhat does all she can to stay ahead of the struggles she faces. She knows her family provided her with a comfortable life growing up. She doesn’t want to get caught up in the superficial, materialistic trappings her family has grown accustomed to. Midhat is trying to live her life. Sarah wants everything just right at parties. Zeenat wants the family to return to a more traditional mode of living where children don’t have as much input in who their life partner will be.
Sometimes people have to deal with expectations of their family. It can be something simple like do well in school. Sometimes families can be more demanding and expect a lot more from their children. It might be their mate isn’t “good enough”. There is enough pressure to make it to work and make sure you kids are safe and healthy. People don’t need any more pressure from relatives who want to judge the people in their circle or compare things to friends, neighbors, or families.
Ambreen’s writing will make you empathize with Midhat. She returns to Pakistan to find more drama and even a little judgement. She didn’t ask for any of this. She just wants to live her life and be happy. The peaks and valleys in “Love Squared” come and go as Midhat meets other men. Some disappoint her in different ways. She also needs to navigate the rivalries within her own family. People accusing her of being a “favorite” with other relatives. “Love Squared” is a good read. Western readers will have some trouble with the native words and phrases mentioned throughout the book. There are also references to foods and dishes enjoyed that come with no explanation or description, further adding to some confusion
Khan’s book offers a look at life in Pakistan and personifies struggles people can face early in their professional lives and the problems with their personal lives. Unfortunately, life doesn’t wait when you are trying to fix problems and just try to be happy living your life. Readers will find this to be an interesting book, especially those who have to deal with the constant judgement and expectations of their families. You can try and do what you can to keep your head above water, but family and circumstances won’t always cooperate.
