Do I or don't I update?

The last ten days have passed by sooooooooooooooooo fast. I had been planning on a fun-filled week-long retreat in the northern areas of Pakistan with my dearest khala and her family. At the same time, she was planning my stay down to every last detail...down to the elaichi juice for the fruit punch. Little did I know that at this time 2 weeks ago she would be breathing her last. And Allah swt is the best of Planners. And so I re-considered my plans...would it be better to stay home now or to go? Some mushwara later it was decided that I should make that 7 hour long journey. And so, I arrived in Islamabad around 9am on Thursday 4th November. By the time I squeezed out of immigration and collected my luggage it was nearly 11am. I first saw my Khalo. I should have seen my Khala there too. I was also greeted by Sarwar Bhai, his wife and their little Qayya! But she wasn't as little as I remembered...why do cute bebis have to grow up!? The Islamabad few headed home...while I joined the Hatian crowd and headed northbound. An hour and a half later we entered Khala's home...the first time for all without her. What a sad moment it was, the house so empty, devoid of her laughter and smiles. I stayed there for four days, keeping company the little ones as well as actually waking up an hour before Fajr to ensure that the food and chai was ready for all. Well, not chai chai...but Dood Patti. Same difference? No way Jose. During my stay I took a short trip to Wah to meet my Dadi and pay my salaam to Daddy and Dada Abba.Monday 8am I left Hatian with Shahzad Bhai and the driver, picked up Dadi Ammi and headed towards Gujranwala. We arrived at Khala Zeenat's home around 2pm. After some formalities and a visitor for afsoos headed to Bareeze from some shoppingz. Picked out some embroidered organza for my Shani and myself and then headed to Kothi Haji, the ancestral family home just in time for iftaar. Soon it was Isha time and I was pleased to be given the opportunity to be whisked off to Masjid Mukkaram for tarawih salah! Okay so they only prayed 8 rakats...and I got told off as my feet were too close together...and the Witr was somewhat different to what I'm used to...but hey it was my first step in a masjid in a fortnight! We returned home...had dinner...and stayed up until midnight in order to wish Shafaq Baji a 'Happy' Birthday. Up early again the next morning to leave Gujranwala at 7am. Made it to my 2nd Phopo's in Pindi around 11am where my 3rd Phopo also arrived. After Duhr headed to Islamabad with Sarwar Bhai and Mamoo Jaan to meet the bebis and get ready for my iftaar at altitude. We stopped in Murree where I picked up a Kashmiri Pashmina for myself and my Shani...and some chalghozay...and reached our destination in Bhurban. I'd heard of the PC there and am pleased to report I was not disappointed. Enjoyed the Iftaari buffet...Maghrib in the Foyer Hall...and then a dinner buffet too! Why didn't they tell me we were stopping for dinner too? *Loosens her elastic aka naala* Headed back home around 7pm...via Faisal Mosque where we made it for the end of the tarawih. Oh well. It was now 9pm and I was given a night-time tour of parts of Islamabad including United Bakery. At 10:15pm I was asked whether it was too late to visit my friend. Well, hmm, no...this was something that I had planned over a week ago! And so we headed to locate Miss Abez and co. I was surprised when she emerged from her home at such a late hour to see who was at the door! But hey! There she was...donned in Jeans and a Jilb...dragging me inside to meet her Owlie and Da Momma! How cool was that :) Alhamdulillah...she somehow managed to pack a zillion cookies and some DELISH cake into a snowman storage box and made me take this with me! And so...our rendezvous lasted perhaps 5 minutes! Khair, inshaAllah, next time we will have to arrange just a little more time together :) We were home around 11pm and it was now time to pack. Up again at Fajr...and ready for the airport at 7:30. Sped through all the crazy checks and checks and more checks. Departure lounge. Flight. Sleep. Coach. Indigestion. Taxi. Home. Iftaar. Alhamdulillahi Rabbi'l Aalameen.