Love | Mahdi Ahmed

Posts from the ‘Love’ category

SHADES OF FABULOUS

My Dearest Love,

Here we are again—you, another year older, a little wiser, and me, still utterly infatuated. Trying to express what you mean to me in words is always like capturing lightning in a bottle—impossible.

This year, I’ve put together a list. It’s a little ridiculous, maybe, but it’s my attempt to comprehend the shades of fabulous that make you, you. As you read through, know my love for you isn’t fleeting. It’s a steadfast commitment, etched in time, that will endure for all eternity.

1. Your Patience: You stand by me even at my worst, like during those tense moments in TTH.

2. Your Endurance: You were my shield when you fiercely defended me during my ICU recovery.

3. Your Nurturing Spirit: You care for Kokko with such love, ensuring he grows up with your values. You greet your bougainvillea plants every morning as if they were your children.

4. Your Humor: Your one-liners and quirky dances, especially when you channel your inner Kuda Mooni, always brighten my day.

5. Your Wisdom: Your insightful advice on my screenplays and life decisions proves you have a PhD in Common Sense. Whenever one of my films comes out, like the recently released “Kamanaa,” the principal cast and crew hold their breath. They await your verdict as if it were the Oscars.

6. Your Resilience: You bounce back faster than a rubber band in a slingshot—always finding your way, no matter the odds.

7. Your Creativity: Whether turning leftovers into gourmet meals or designing stunning visuals with Canva, you’re the Van Gogh of everyday life.

8. Your Compassion: Whether it’s crying over a needy child, caring for my father in his final moments, the tenderness you show towards your own parents, or feeding Tuffin, the stray cat who now trusts you and comes running for his can of tuna—your heart is an endless well of kindness.

Reflecting on these qualities, I am reminded how your unyielding strength keeps us grounded even when the world feels heavy, and your infectious laughter lightens the load effortlessly. And in moments of faltering, your unwavering love lifts me up.

9. Your Intelligence: You navigate life’s complexities with a clarity that amazes me.

10. Your Generosity: Not just in material things but in the time and warmth you give everyone around you.

11. Your Spirit: You live enthusiastically, making our most straightforward adventures feel grand.

12. Your Dedication: You are firm in your dedication to our family, Kokko, and every task you undertake.

13. Your Support: You are my anchor when I’m stressed or down, like during the lockdown.

14. Your Love: Unwavering, unconditional, and the glue that holds us together.

15. Your Leadership: You inspire with grace and determination, whether at work or within our family.

16. Your Playfulness: Even mundane tasks become fun when you’re around, like turning bed-making into a game.

17. Your Courage: From facing weekly fears like CC to pulling us to safety during the Asian Tsunami in Patong, you are a warrior.

You’ve faced every storm with courage that leaves me in awe. I remember that day in Patong when you grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the beach. Your instinct saved us, and in that moment, I realized that you are my home—my safe harbor in every storm.

18. Your Honesty: You’re brutally honest, especially about my questionable fashion choices or half-baked screenplays.

19. Your Faith: Your spiritual strength is a steady beacon in our lives.

20. Your Independence: You stand firm as your own person while still being the center of our world.

21. Your Beauty: Inside and out, you’re so stunning that even the mirror must be your biggest fan. You are always my Jessica and SV’s twin sister.

22. Your Adaptability: You always find a way to thrive no matter the situation.

23. Your Wit: Your quick humor never fails to make me smile.

24. Your Grace: You carry yourself elegantly, even in adversity.

25. Your Cooking: Every dish you prepare is seasoned with love, turning meals into feasts. Does making juice ‘petty’ with a twist count?

26. Your Sense of Style: Everything you touch—fashion, home décor—becomes more beautiful.

27. Your Innovativeness: Projects like Currycrab showcase your ability to dream big and follow through.

28. Your Love for Adventure: Every trip, every new experience with you, is a joy.

Yes, life with you is an adventure. Whether we’re wandering the streets of Bangkok, diving into new ventures, or simply holding hands on a quiet walk, you make every moment unforgettable.

29. Your Dependability: I can count on you, no matter what we face.

30. Your Forgiveness: You forgive and move forward with grace and strength. For example, when I brought home soft-shell crab instead of cut crab, you handled it like a saint who knows her husband’s limits at the seafood counter.

31. Your Warmth: Our home is filled with love because of you.

32. Your Determination: When you set your mind to something, even the universe steps aside. Whether helping your father with his business or bravely pursuing your dreams, you keep trying without fear of failure.

33. Your Sincerity: Everything you do is done with genuine care and authenticity.

34. Your Optimism: You find the silver lining in every situation.

35. Your Strategic Thinking: Your ability to plan ahead keeps us steady.

36. Your Attention to Detail: Whether planning a trip or setting up a surprise, you ensure everything is perfect.

37. Your Calm Under Pressure: In every crisis, you are the steady hand that guides us.

38. Your Empathy: Your deep understanding and care for others, especially in tough times, is unmatched.

39. Your Versatility: You seamlessly handle multiple roles and responsibilities.

40. Your Passion: For life, love, and everything that makes our world as it is.

41. Your Sense of Justice: You always stand up for what’s right.

42. Your Integrity: You never compromise on your values.

43. Your Kindness: The gentle way you treat everyone, including animals and plants.

44. Your Problem-Solving Skills: You navigate life’s challenges with grace.

45. Your Curiosity: Your constant desire to learn keeps life exciting. Whether diving into the secrets of a long and happy life with “Ikigai,” binge-watching documentaries about gut health, or following Dr. Barbara’s advice on Batana oil to “stimulate hair growth,” your mind is constantly exploring new horizons. And while I’m still waiting for that magical forest of hair to sprout on my ever-thinning scalp, I appreciate how you always keep me in the loop—mostly about things I didn’t know I needed to know, including injecting poop! Eww!

46. Your Emotional Intelligence: You understand not only your emotions but those of others, helping navigate complex situations.

47. Your Spontaneity: Your ability to break routines and surprise us with unexpected joy keeps life fresh.

48. Your Creative Chaos: You’ve mastered turning my “neat” wardrobe arrangements back into your own version of perfect chaos.

49. Your Observational Skills: You notice the little things, making those around you feel seen and heard.

50. Your Forever-ness: With you, my love, forever is just the beginning.

Words fail me as I try to capture all that you mean to me. You’re not just my wife; you’re my compass, my sanctuary, and the rhythm that steadies my heartbeat. You’ve brought more joy and warmth into my life than I ever thought possible, standing by me in moments of triumph and holding me closer in times of failure.

If I had to live this life a thousand times over, I’d choose you every single time—even if it meant enduring your fiery lectures about not sitting on the toilet seat for hours or tolerating my constant YouTube marathons. I may not always find the perfect words, but know this: I’ll spend every breath trying, every day showing, and every night dreaming of ways to make you laugh, see you smile, and keep your heart light.

Here’s to you, my incredible, beautiful wife—the woman who turned my life into the most extraordinary screenplay I could have ever written. Without you, I’m just a guy with a laptop, struggling with a terrible first draft. With you, I’ve found the only story worth telling. And yes, I’d lose at Scrabble every time just to see you smile, because your happiness is the only prize I ever want to win.

Happy Birthday, my love.

Forever yours,

Your Hopelessly Devoted Husband

EMBRACING SILENT SORROW

In the quiet hours of August 5th, 2022, as dawn crept upon me, I stood in the sterile, unforgiving cold of the ER. I watched helplessly as the very essence of your life, once so robust and commanding, dwindled rapidly before my eyes. When they whisked you away to the defib room, I stood by, the door ajar, catching glimpses of your feet jolting with each shock—a sight that shattered me. Forty-five excruciating minutes passed, each one a lifetime, until the doctor emerged at 07:33 AM with words that shattered my world: you were gone. At that moment, I was frozen, every part of me screaming in disbelief as I lost all sense of reality.

Holding your hand inside the confines of the ambulance, a grim procession to the morgue felt like an eternity of torture. Your face, etched with an unnatural stillness, mocked my fervent pleas for you to wake. The minutes stretched into an endless, bleak desert, each grain of sand a fresh pang of sorrow. And then, the earth closed over you, burying a part of my soul with you.

Two years have passed, yet the wound remains as fresh as ever, the memories as raw as the day they were born. Your stories, Dad, reverberate in my mind as if you were here, narrating them once more. Tales of your youth, your pride in being the 40th to join the police force, your firsthand accounts of the pivotal moments in our nation’s history—from the unruly onslaught of Amin Didi to British negotiations for independence to the uprisings in the South. These tales, so vibrant and compelling, are etched into the core of my being. My greatest regret is not recording your experiences as grim and golden chapters of Maldivian history.

I can still vividly hear my siblings’ and neighbors’ laughter echoing through the yard as we played, all while you dutifully served in the police force. The unmistakable roar of your motorcycle would send us into a frenzy, causing us to scatter in all directions.

Even in your twilight years, hobbling with a cane, whenever the doctor gave you a clean bill of health, your face would light up with a proud blush. You’d break into a grin, showcasing your vigor with an impromptu display of bending and stretching, as if you were about to compete in the Olympics. Watching you attempt those athletic moves was both heartwarming and amusing—a bittersweet reminder of your relentless spirit, blending the vigor of your youth with the tender fragility of your age.

Your absence is an abyss that words can scarcely bridge. I ache for your presence, your wisdom, and the indomitable strength you embodied. On the previous day at the hospital, as the second septic shock struck in the X-ray room, I was there, holding you, placing you on the stretcher with trembling hands and a heart gripped by fear for your precious life. Yet, you never relinquished your faith in living. That night, in the ER, as the third shock took hold while I stood beside you, you clung to life with a tenacity that seemed both sacred and sorrowful. My very essence drained away as your courage stood as a poignant proof of the incredible spirit you possessed, even as destiny slowly pulled you away from us.

Dad, as I pour my heart out, it aches with longing and sorrow. Your memory, a heartrending reminder of the deep imprint you left on my life, is always with me. Although I failed to archive your stories, they reside within me, a silent homage to the extraordinary man you were.

With every ounce of my love and a heart filled with longing, I will persist in embracing silent sorrow.

WITH LOVE…

My dearest love,

I feel blessed and thrilled to be celebrating another memorable year of your life.

Regardless of what age you have turned, your inner and outer self remain intact. But every now and then, you are anxious about your eyesight, your skin and your wrinkles. On second thought, who isn’t? But worry not. ISA, you are beautiful, loving, tender, caring and intelligent. By the way, those are just a few of your traits. If I must list all of them, I might run out of space here and end up with blisters on my fingertips. And yes, you will always be my Jessica. Purr!

Simply put, I couldn’t be prouder to be your husband. There is no greater happiness for me in this world than to have you in my life. And then there is Kokko. Together, you both complete me.

I have lived all the beautiful moments of my life with you. Our courtship, getting trapped in a room, us getting married, the day you conceived, your entire pregnancy, your delivery, parenting Kokko, your graduation and the exhausting adventure we had finding your phone some three days ago is some of the best memories that will remain engraved in my heart forever. Even all the problems, difficulties and tragedies we faced from the tsunami to your depression when you were unjustly fired and to my botched-up colonoscopy have helped us to be better and stronger. And most importantly, we value each other with the utmost care and respect.

We were utterly clueless of our destiny even though all your life you frequented to my house, and we crossed our path million times. But look at us today, it seems as if fate was written for us. I am confident with all my heart that ISA our love will last, and we will be together forever. You and Kokko are in my prayers every day.

Kokko fills our hearts with joy and happiness. He is more like you possessing your sense of humour and sincerity. But I am happy if he has my adorable cheeks. I also feel contented seeing that you are such a wonderful mother who takes good care of him and continues to do so day in, day out. You provide him with your undying love, affection and heart.

Thank you very much for making me who I am today. Thank you for sprucing me up. Your love, caring, and affection keep inspiring me.

Thank you for helping me when I am not in my best of moods. Your wittiness never fails to leave me in stitches, especially when you dance an Oryantal or the Bharatanatyam. I am already cracking up. Thank you for making me see how beautiful our life is.

I am glad you have this newfound admiration for the diarist, late AH. May his soul rest in peace. Even I have been reading some of his excerpts secretly and find his writing very inspirational and amusing. Thank you for obtaining almost all his digests.

We still love riding over the bridge even though we feel our heads falling off from our shoulders at the end of our spin. Yes, the helmets have robbed the maximum experience we previously enjoyed. But we keep communicating to and from HulhuMale’ like astronauts on a motorbike.

We’ve been quite the opposite of what we do. You love all the contemporary music while I am still in the 80s. When you watch an exciting movie, I am catching a few zees. While you are funny and open-minded, I am closed and an introvert. But we are low on tension and more on the fun. Now I wholeheartedly believe in the saying that opposite does attract.

It’s inevitable that with time, we will grow old and wrinkly. But all that is trivial to me. What really matters is that we are together and with you today is better than yesterday. I wish and pray that our love keeps getting stronger with each passing day. I give you my unconditional love and the rest of my life and eternity with you.

Happy birthday, my love.