Shooza | Mahdi Ahmed

Posts tagged ‘Shooza’

THE REEL OF US

My Dearest Love,

Today, when I think of us, it feels as though a series of soft, glowing flashes drift before my eyes — not a long rewind, not a dramatic montage — just the moments that shaped us, one after another, like tiny sparks in the dark.

FLASHES OF OUR BEGINNING

Flash.

Two souls in the same neighborhood, exchanging shy smiles and eyebrow greetings.

You mistaking my voice for my brother — the moment destiny gently nudged us forward.

ICQ usernames.

MSN chats.

Scrabble duels.

Karaoke nights — and the song where your voice wrapped itself around my heart and never let go.

Walking side by side from office to home, your hand slipping into mine like it had always belonged there.

Flash.

FLASHES THAT MOLDED US

Flash.

A Qazi, an orange dress, a quivering dupatta, your teary smile, our vows — the moment we officially began our forever.

Patong, Phuket.

A monstrous wave.

Your instinct.

A fish truck.

High ground.

A miracle.

A beginning forged in survival.

Samitivej, Bangkok.

A tiny upside-down Kokko screaming like a newborn warrior.

Our home overflowing with laughter, school runs, countless ferry rides, homemade meals, and you whispering to your bougainvillea like they’re your botanical babies.

These flashes… they define us.

THIS YEAR — THE STRENGTH OF YOU

This year tested you in ways that would have broken many.

But you stood firm — fierce, steady, unshakable.

Your business hurdles.

Your long days.

Your headaches.

Your battles.

Where I would’ve collapsed — you held on.

Where I would’ve panicked — you powered through.

Where I would’ve fallen — you rose higher.

You hold this family together with a strength that is quiet, graceful, and unstoppable.

And if anyone doubts that?

Let them hear the full truth.

Flash.

Ramadan, you cut the tip of your pinkie, screamed in pain, yet lay on ER bed like a warrior.

I sat beside you, chest puffed, ready to be your rock…

Flash.

When I opened my eyes,

I was lying on your bed,

And you were sitting calmly on my chair.

That’s us in one scene:

You — power.

Me — unconscious comic relief.

THE BOY WHO TESTS ME DAILY

And then there’s our son — your perfect clone.

He has officially chosen me as his archnemesis.

Every day feels like a miniature war.

He throws shade.

I counter.

You mediate like a UN peacekeeping force.

Peace lasts four minutes.

Then we begin again.

And the Breaking Bad incident?

Unforgettable.

We suggested a cartoon.

He demanded Breaking Bad.

We explained.

He insisted.

We surrendered.

Ten minutes later, he hid behind a cushion like it was riot gear.

We didn’t laugh aloud —

But inside, we were in pieces.

THE LITTLE RITUALS THAT ARE EVERYTHING

We still do our tiny dance in the kitchen:

You cook.

I scrub.

You stir.

I clean the stove, the shelves, the walls, the ceiling…

I’m basically the vacuum robot — A happily programmed one.

Walking beside you on any red carpet makes me feel like I’m escorting royalty.

And when you give feedback on my films,

My heart doesn’t beat —

It drums, like Travis Barker warming up backstage.

And now you play Co2 on loop,

smiling at Prateek Kuhad’s soft whispery voice.

I’m not jealous… I just think I could whisper better if given a fair audition.

And Alhamdulillaah…

Life is shifting beautifully for us.

Especially for you.

Seeing you content feels like watching dawn replace darkness.

It fills me with a peace I can’t put into words.

AND STILL…

You are my strength and softness.

My laughter and calm.

My compass and my comfort.

My joy and my journey.

My Jessica — and now, my SV.

You hold this family steady with courage, wit, and boundless heart.

And I am endlessly grateful that after all these flashes, storms, joys, and years…

It is still you I walk beside.

Thank you for being everything you are.

Thank you for giving everything you give.

Thank you for holding this family together with your strength, your humor, and your heart.

Thank you for loving me in ways I never deserved but always needed.

Here’s to us —

To the story still being written,

To the adventures waiting ahead.

Happy 21st Anniversary, My Love

Cut to black.

Roll credits.

Soundtrack fades.

Forever yours,

Mahdi

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.

2024: TRIUMPHS, TWISTS AND TALES

If 2024 were a screenplay, it would be a genre-defying blockbuster—a mix of heartfelt drama, laugh-out-loud comedy, and plot twists worthy of Tarantino himself. It had highs, lows, and moments so surreal they felt scripted. And let’s not forget the standout cast of characters who made it unforgettable.

First up, my family—my homegrown, award-winning ensemble cast. My wife, the muse of all muses and queen of feedback (and my heart), hit a milestone birthday this year. I won’t reveal her age—lest I end up sleeping on the balcony with her bougainvilleas. We also celebrated 20 years of marriage—two decades of travel, love, and spirited debates over soft-shell versus cut crab. (Pro tip: always double-check the shopping list.) She’s the mastermind behind her bougainvillea-parenting initiative, tolerates my hair experiments with Batana oil (still no miracles), and joins me in face-mask selfie sessions.

Then there’s Kokko, our 13-year-old whirlwind of energy. Alhamdulillahi, this kid had an incredible year! He juggled school, basketball, and soccer like a pro while I balanced ferry rides, script deadlines, and debated whether to charge him for taxi services. Watching him clatter away on Instagram with my phone during commutes has become a quiet joy—a moment of calm amidst the chaos. And when he solves the crossword faster than I can, I wonder if he’s auditioning to be the lead in my life’s next chapter. Fist bump!

The real showstopper? Kokko brought home not one but two golds this year. His team clinched the Plate Championship in the International Junior Soccer Tournament U14 held in KL, Malaysia, and his school triumphed in the U13 Inter-School Basketball Tournament. Watching him play felt like the climax of a sports movie—sweat, grit, victory, and me in the stands, trying not to ugly cry.

Professionally, 2024 was a whirlwind. Kamanaa, my latest blockbuster, proved that a well-told story can captivate audiences. Behind the scenes, a difference in perspectives over the worth of “words on screen” served as a quiet reminder of the nuances in creative partnerships. Lessons learned, dignity preserved, and the audience’s cheers were far louder than any quiet undervaluation.

And then came Roboman: The Movie—my personal redemption arc. A clean, family-friendly flick, it proved I could leave behind my infamous double entendres and still deliver a hit. Watching it with Kokko and seeing him predict the ending before the climax? Pure gold—as a writer and a dad.

Another standout moment of 2024 was winning Best Screenplay for the MNU drama Manaal at the NCA Officer Teledrama Competition. It was humbling to see my work recognized after a long hiatus. Manaal, a story about familial bonding and women’s empowerment, explored themes close to my heart. The award was a reminder that storytelling, when done with sincerity, resonates deeply—and moments like this make the countless late nights at the keyboard worth it.

Creatively, I dove into a new story in late December, carrying me into the New Year with fresh energy and ambition. This project feels raw, emotional, and layered, pushing me to explore uncharted storytelling territory. Outlining will be both challenging and cathartic, and I’m hoping this script sets the tone for a year of creativity and growth in 2025.

2024 wasn’t just about writing stories; it was about living them. From Kokko’s victories to celebrating two decades of marriage, this year reminded me that life’s best plots aren’t planned—they’re the unexpected twists that shape us.

Oh, and a special shoutout to February 2024—the month my jaw got rearranged. Yes, ouch—it still hurts. Life, as always, leaves its marks in the most unexpected ways.

As the curtain falls on 2024, I’m reminded that life, like a good script, thrives on twists, growth, and moments of brilliance—planned or otherwise. If 2024 taught me anything, it’s that the best stories are written not just with ink, but with courage, resilience, and a sprinkle of chaos.

So here’s to 2025: a fresh page, a new act, and countless opportunities to turn life’s plot twists into masterpieces. And remember, if life hands you a messy first draft, don’t be afraid to rewrite—or stretch a little, especially if screenwriting has you flirting with tennis elbow.

Happy New Year, everyone!

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.