Useless Girl: A Nano-Story
Call me Cinderella—except, my Prince Charming is the CEO of a startup who’s never home, and I’ve traded evil step-relatives for a mother-in-law who doesn’t speak English.
She lifts a crooked finger coated in dust she’s wiped from the edge of a ceiling fan blade.
“Faltu larki.”
Since moving to Pakistan, I’ve slowly picked up on the Urdu words she mumbles around the house. I know “larki” means girl, and from the way she curls her upper lip at the dust on her finger, I suspect “faltu” isn’t “good.” But I’m more confused by how she was able to reach the fan when I’m barely five feet and she doesn’t even come to my shoulders.
“Seerhi kahan hai?” I ask. God, I hope I said, “Where’s the ladder?”
“Amriki bahu. Aray, wow!” She waves her arms and leaves the room.
I don’t think I’m making a good impression.
© 2023 Nortina Simmons
Nortina's Writing Inspiration Well 
Reminds me of the Geico commercial with Aunt Bonnie.. “Nice house.. hope you can keep it clean..”
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Haha, yes! That’s what I was going for 😀
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LOL I love it! 🙂
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It’s funny after you look up the translations. At least she didn’t mess up by using a swear word or something equally offensive, lol.
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Haha! She deserves credit for at least trying 😉
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Oh, no doubt. Getting on with your In-Laws would be stressful enough without the language barrier and cultural differences, lol. Anyone who goes through that for love deserves more than just credit. 🏆
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For sure! That’s no easy feat!
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