I bought my first pair of trendy Western style khussay (ie the leather soles with satin tops completely beaded and sequined out) in Autumn 2003. I loved them! I wore them on Eid ul Fitr despite the typical British rainy cold November, I wore them more and I wear them now! Khussay have since increased in popularity and are now available on the High Street at twice the price that I originally paid, and in Southall at nearly half the price that I originally paid! They have become...kyaa? Ubiquitous, common, pfft; I've never been one to be the same as anyone else. And so now, although I love my khussay, despite the fraying edges and the soles wearing out, they are no longer unique. So two weeks ago on a trip to Southall to stock up on jelly nuts, mangoes, mithai and other malarky when, out of the corners of my eyes, I suddenly spotted a plain non-beaded maroon leather khussa I nearly shrieked! Quick! Rush to the shoe and grab it! Try it on! Grr, a size too small. I ask for a larger size, the Uncle Ji sends his lil daughter to have a look, sorry, nahin hain...eik ghaintay main aa jaain to mill jai ga. So I force myself and lil Bhai in the pouring rain to wander around The Broadway for an hour and return to Beenish shoes. Ji, vo maroon khussay aa gain hain? Daughter looks around again the pile of shoes, sorry, we don't have your size. WELL WHY DID YOU ASK ME TO COME BACK IN AN HOUR THEN, I thought. Grr, typical Pakistani style! Slightly disappointed lil Bhai and I turned around and headed back towards the car to pick up BubbleC (but that's another blog). Just before we reached Golfy we passed by the last khussay shop and I asked the dude if he had any. No, we don't, but I can get some in about 8-10 days. Oh really? Yes, tell me what size and colour and do you want khullay or bund? Please may I have 1 pair of black and 1 pair of maroon bund plain (non-beaded) leather khussay? Sure. May I take your phone number so that I can call you before I come, as I live an hour's drive away? So he gives me his number. Ten days later I get my BubbleC to give him a call and check, yes he has them. Today, 13 days later, just before we leave home, we call again to double check that we won't be making a wasted journey; BubbleC rings him again and he confirms that he has them in stock. So why, when we arrive there, does he tell me that he doesn't have them? WHY why why do people make promises that they can't keep, and then LIE? Urgh! I don't care...to console myself I found the most beautiful red silk and navy blue shalwaar kameez on sale...can I wait until Eid ul Fitr to aqeeqah-fy this outfit? *Munches on fresh jalebi from Chandni Chowk*