From: Kamal E Y [email protected] >

To: Sabrina [email protected] >

Sent: 31 May, 2000 05:20 PM

Subject: family-related...

Honey,

By today morning I solved all the problems and it was a great inspiration to read your mail. One problem which was reported yesterday by our top boss with great importance, I found out that it was not any problem with our group. I found out the problem and informed all the people. So today I can come back to my main work.

You asked me how my mom is. I don't know. I cannot compare her with anyone because everyone has got their own characteristics. Is she tough? I cannot say yes or no. She was tough when I was in school. That time my father was not in our house. So for the most part of my schooling, she was my guardian. That time, she won't sign my progress report sent from then school after exams, if my marks were less. I used to have a lot of tension because of that. I was not an obedient and nice guy in school. I was involved in sports, talking and every mischief. So I was warned several times by our teachers and so I was afraid to take my mom to our school. Once the teachers called her to my school and that day she told me that if the teachers call her once again, she will come to school, but she won't return to the house. You can understand my fear?

But after I grew up, I began to see the soft side of her also. I have seen her crying silently because of many things including the problems of our relatives. And when I grew up, she began to involve me in making decisions regarding our family. For example, which college should my sister go...etc. I didn't like this, because I felt that I am taking too much responsibility. This will give me an unfair advantage over my siblings and I didn't like that.

A good example was an affair for my sister. When she was 15, she started to have an affair with a boy. I came to know about this and I hinted this to my mom. Everyone became very furious because she was only 15. Moreover, as I said, the image of the family came into the picture. It is not considered good for a family if the daughter has got a boyfriend. And after some meetings and all, my sister was told that she has to withdraw from the relationship. My mother, father everyone was there. Even I and my brother were against this relation.

And when I was 17, I stopped talking to my mom for one year because of a small fight. I had told you that when I have a fight or something bad, I stop speaking. That time, I had an affair with Tanya. And I was only 17.

I thought that even if I don't speak with my mom, nothing is going to happen. But over the one year, she always looked after my things, cleaned my room, cooked for me and always tried to talk to me. But I resisted. But finally, I had to speak. Even now, I don't speak too much as I speak with my friends. That is because of pure ego. And the ego says that you are a grown-up, don't show many sentiments. But my mom always tries to speak more to me.

Ha, too big a letter. I hope you got a small idea. I will continue in other emails over the coming days.

Coming back to us, how is your work? You have not told me anything about that recently...

Yours

Kamal