ALWAYS PREGNANT

For the past decade, Asma has been pregnant about nine times. Every time she gets pregnant again, the women from the neighbourhood go into a tizzy. Everyone races over with presents and pretends to hide their surprise when Asma’s husband opens the door. For Asma, it’s like a celebration with the delivery of each baby, and for us, it’s a surprise party for every new pregnancy. In no time, everyone will have rushed over with presents and pretended to hide their surprise when Asma’s husband opens the door. People embellish their statements with exaggerated body language. ‘When I saw her walk into the hall that day, I knew something was up! Her stomach was swelling!’ they will say. It’s like we’re all playing Guess the Due Date. It’s like a cross between Charades and Fifty Ways to the Babymoon. Everyone takes a wild guess: first, at the due date, and then at the sex of the baby.