Family | Mahdi Ahmed

Posts tagged ‘Family’

THE EVE I WAIT FOR EVERY YEAR

My Dearest Love,

Every year, on the eve of your birthday, I find myself here again—fingers on keys, heart refusing to sit still. It’s my favorite ritual, the one thing I never want to outgrow. You often ask me what I really want to do in life. Well, here’s the shocking truth: this. Writing you these letters. Everything else—screenplays, awards, even Everest—can politely wait their turn. Because all of them shrink next to you—you, the most beautiful contradiction I know.

You can silence a room with a single glance, then melt into tears over a stray cat licking a fish bone. Steel wrapped in silk—that’s you. And that mix—strength and softness—has a way of spilling into everything, even laughter, which you’ve turned into the rarest currency of our home.

Your dance moves, your one-liners, the way you make even silence ridiculous—if trophies were given for making me laugh, we’d have to rent a storage unit. Even Tuffin and his wife Hirafus would protest the unfairness. But if laughter is your gift, patience is your superpower—you’ve carried more than your share.

You put up with Kokko’s teenage thunderstorms, my YouTube binges, and my gold-medal snoring during the very movies you lovingly picked. But beyond the funny stuff lie the heavier flaws—the times I wasn’t present, the moments I should have listened, the lapses I wish I could take back. And still, you meet it all with a grace that doesn’t just humble me—it reminds me every day how deeply grateful I am to have you.

And that same quiet grace doesn’t just stay at home—it follows you into your CC days. Nerves before, brilliance after. The world sees strength; I see the heart it takes to show up, again and again.

And when you bring that same strength home, it turns into something else entirely—as a mother, you’re a force. Kokko is basically your twin with a teenage remix. Terrifying? Yes. A blessing? Absolutely. And somehow, on top of that, you still find space for your artistry—it’s magic.

You make your iPhone photography look like fine art and you even charm bougainvillea into blooming just by talking to them. If plants could vote, you’d be president by now. And your creativity doesn’t stop there—it spills into the kitchen too.

Your cooking? If nations wanted peace, they’d serve your chicken rice. Honestly, sometimes I wish I could have surprised you with it, especially last month when you lost your taste. But perhaps it’s better I didn’t—my version would’ve been memorable for all the wrong reasons—one spoon of that would’ve started a war.

But beyond the kitchen, there’s something even more powerful—your presence. People admire you not just for what you say but for the way you make them believe. Not by force, but simply by being you. That’s rare. And it’s exactly why you’ve been my muse from the very beginning.

The whole reason I returned to screenwriting was secretly trying to impress you. Even now, one remark from you can rewrite an entire film. At premieres, I walk proud—not because of the applause, but because you are beside me. And yes, you always steal the red carpet. I wouldn’t trade that theft for anything.

Through storms and sunshine, you’ve been my anchor, my muse, my Jessica, my SV, my gossip partner, my joy, my love. You’re not just the love of my life—you’re the life in my love.

So today, laugh, dance, and if a tear slips through, let it remind you of how completely, foolishly, and hopelessly I have always belonged to you.

Happy Birthday, my love. May your glow forever outshine every candle, every star, every dream I could never quite reach—but always wished I could place in your hands.

Your hopelessly devoted and sometimes hopelessly foolish husband.

TWENTY YEARS OF US

My Dearest Wife,

Twenty years ago today, you sat beside me in that stunning orange dress, your dupatta framing a face that held a thousand emotions: nervousness, joy, excitement — and those unforgettable tears. Not because you were unsure, but because you were stepping into the unknown. Little did we know we were embarking on a journey that would be more beautiful, adventurous, and downright hilarious than anything we could have imagined.

Our story began, like all great love stories, with a comedic twist. You mistook me for my kid brother on a phone call. Fate, with its playful grin, was clearly at work, steering us toward endless chats, epic Scrabble battles, and that one unforgettable karaoke session in Relax Inn where you sang “Ordinary World” and made my world extraordinary. From that point, love wrapped itself around us like a warm blanket, leading to the day we exchanged vows, surrounded by family and friends.

Then came the plot twist — our honeymoon. What began as a dreamy escape turned into a survival thriller faster than you could say “tsunami.” You were my hero that day, pulling me to safety from the jaws of danger. Speaking of jaws, remember earlier this year when a thug almost rearranged mine? Let’s just say your inner lioness roared so loudly that I thought he’d have to relocate to another galaxy. You called up everyone in your contact list, ready to turn the world upside down to find him. Honestly, I was more terrified of you than the thug. Thankfully, the issue simmered down before you launched your full-scale operation. But to this day, I tread carefully when I bring it up — for my jaw’s sake, of course!

Over the years, life has tested us, but it has also gifted us countless moments of joy. Like when I clean the house before you get home, just to see that priceless smile that lights up your face as you walk in, visibly tired but instantly delighted. And then, there’s the royal welcome committee — Kokko and I — stationed at the door, ready to greet you like a queen. We spring into action the moment we hear you ascending the stairs. Your handbag, which feels like it’s smuggling gold bricks, is ceremoniously taken from you as if it’s the crown jewels. Sure, I may not always use my brain as efficiently as you would like (ahem), but hey, this kind of devotion takes heart — and a decent back to carry that tonnage!

Of course, nothing warms our home quite like the magic you bring to the kitchen. From your signature crab curry to chicken rice, lemon rice, kabsa, and garudhiya with all the perfect side dishes, every bite still tastes as amazing as it did the first time. Kokko, naturally, is far better than I am at helping you whip up these culinary delights. My humble contribution? Keeping the kitchen clean and washing the dishes, which earns me another one of your Cheshire Cat smiles. And let’s not forget how you tease me about a certain “rat” in the house — me, obviously — who devours any chocolate or sweet you leave in the fridge. But here’s the shocker: the Husnuheena, or the durian chocolates that you and Kokko love, have stayed intact for days now. See? Miracles happen. Though, full disclosure — I did nibble on a piece of the durian chocolate a little while ago. But let’s agree the fridge still counts as intact… mostly.

And in the midst of all these shared moments, one of our greatest joys has been watching Kokko grow — your miniature doppelgänger and our little adventurer. Watching him is like seeing you in a smaller, cheekier package. He’s got your wit, your humor, and that side-eye that makes me wonder what roast is coming my way next.

You’ve always been the star of our story, the glue that holds everything together. From nurturing your bougainvillea with the tenderness of a mother (seriously, you talk to them more than I do) to conquering every challenge with grace, you are a force of nature. You juggle work, family, and passions with a brilliance that leaves me speechless — and for a writer, that’s saying something. Your strength is infectious, your laughter a melody that fills our home, and your determination a reminder that we can overcome anything.

Speaking of writing, you’ve been my muse, my editor, and my harshest critic. I still miss those times when you’d sit on my lap, skimming my drafts and turning my okay stories into unforgettable ones with just a few tweaks. Every screenplay I write carries a piece of you in it — your humor, your honesty, and your heart.

Our adventures together were nothing short of epic. From dancing to Love Is All Around Me to escaping tsunamis, from sunset strolls in Vilimalé to hotpot dinners in Bangkok, every moment feels like a scene from our very own blockbuster. Even on days when your “H-mode” eyebrows make an appearance, or PMS turns you into my fiercest sparring partner, I wouldn’t trade a single second of it.

Today is more than a milestone. It’s a celebration of us — of the laughs, the tears, the quiet moments, and the loud ones. It’s about the life we’ve built, the memories we’ve created, and the love that keeps growing stronger every single day. It’s about you, the woman who makes every moment brighter, every challenge easier, and every day worth waking up to.

Every moment with you has been a masterpiece. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter of our story holds — because with you, every page is extraordinary.

Thank you for being my Jessica, my SV, my partner in crime, and the queen of my heart. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even the bad ones, and for standing by me through every twist and turn. May the next twenty years be filled with love, laughter, and a lifetime of adventures.

Happy 20th Anniversary, my love.

Forever yours,

Your Hopelessly Devoted Husband