It is said that marriages are made in heavens. They are, however, solemnized on earth. So contrary to the fairytales, the husband and wife do not live happily ever after. Sometimes the husband and wife split up, and sometimes death does the couple apart. This week You! brings you true stories of three women from different backgrounds who have shared their bitter experiences of iddah.

"I lost my job during Iddah" - Zahida

Belonging from the lower middle-class, Zahida's unhappy marriage terminated when her husband divorced her. She recounts her ordeal for our readers.

"Mine was a marriage made in hell. My stepmother married me to her good for nothing lazy nephew. This meant that I had to assume the role of the bread earner of my family. I got a job in a factory in Korangi where I used to work for 12 hours. After that, doing household chores and looking after my baby girls and doing the cooking, cleaning and washing used to drain me physically. In spite of all my hard work, my husband rewarded me with a divorce. He got 'suspicious' of my character. He thought I was seeing other men and that is why I was not reciprocating his amorous overtures. One evening, there was a lot of work and we had to stay back after 5 pm. By the time I reached home, it was past 8:30 pm. My husband did not let me enter the house. He divorced me three times and banged the door," recalls Zahida.

Zahida's stepmother refused shelter to her and she had to go to her sister's house. It was there that she spent the next three months - her iddah period.

"I informed my supervisor on the telephone that I was in iddat and requested leave of absence. He told me that the factory could not afford to give me leave and my services were terminated.

Recalling her iddah period still makes Zahida cry. "It was a very difficult period. I was constantly taunted by my sister's mother-in-law and abused by my brother-in-law. My sister was so frightened that she talked to me only when they were not around. Taking a bath for me was a problem; my sister's saas claimed that I was doing it to attract her son-in-law! I was not allowed to watch TV or listen to the radio. They said that the divorcee should only pray during the iddah for God to forgive her sins. Once I fell badly sick, but no one bothered to take me to the doctor, as it is not allowed during iddat. It was like living in jail!"

"Had I been allowed to work during my iddah, my business would not have suffered" - Aisha

Belonging to an upper class family, Aisha faced a lot of problems too when her husband died. Her blissful married life ended due to her husband's sudden demise. She narrates what happened during her iddah period.

"I was the second wife of my husband. His first wife lived on the first floor, while I lived on the ground floor. I became a widow in 2005. My husband fell ill on 18th May, and exactly one month later, on 18 June, he died. It was a nightmare for me. The doctors could not even diagnose his illness. I was shattered when he died. He was only 51. At that time, my daughters were six and four years old. I, of course, went into iddah, although I was running a very successful Italian restaurant in collaboration with the Italian consulate.

Reality hit when the people from the consulate came to offer their condolences. My in-laws told me that I could not leave my room and meet the males as I was in iddah. The women, of course, came to my room and met me. The Italian visitors were extremely surprised as they could not understand why a woman, already aggrieved, is hidden under wraps because of her husband's death.

My business took a bad dip. Even during my husband's illness, my manager had started giving me trouble. After his death, my in-laws told me I could not go out or meet anyone. I had to give my manager the authority to sign the cheques. When I came out of iddah, I found out that the restaurant had lost so much money that I had to close it down.

But the worst part was that after 40 days, the same people who had kept me confined to my room, told me to leave the house. My husband's first wife had grown up children. They used the 40-day period to assume control of his business. I was told that the house was in the name of the first wife and I had no claim on anything. They even tried to get the restaurant, but luckily that had been bought in my name.

What followed was a continuous nightmare. I did not have a son, so my daughters were also deprived of their legacy. I arranged for a rented house through friends and we moved into it ten days after my husband's chehlum.

Those were desperate times. The friends who used to hang out in my restaurant simply vanished. My female friends started treating me coldly. They were afraid that I would entice their husbands! No one helped me and I had to restart my ready made garments business for small girls. How I fought my case for my daughters' rights in the property and re-established myself is another story. I just want to say that since the purpose of iddah is to determine pregnancy, instead of confining women for this duration, medical tests should be conducted to rule out pregnancy. Had I been allowed to work during my iddah, my business would not have suffered so extensively. Surviving without one's husband in our society is unthinkable. Servants try to steal, husband's friends think you are available and make indecent proposals. I cannot express the horror a widow undergoes in our Islamic society.

I had a name. I used to run a successful restaurant and beat the sales of Okra and Allanto, but lost everything during my iddah.

"I was left alone and miserable during my iddah", - Mrs. Hamid

Mrs Hamid belongs to the middle class. She lost her husband when she was only 35. Here is what she has to say about her experience...

We were pretty well off. My husband had a good job and I too was working in a private company. Our two children were in good schools. Things suddenly started going wrong. My husband lost his job. Our life became very tough. For a long time the family had to subsist on my meager salary. Then my husband went to Jeddah and got a job. For a couple of months we were very happy. Then my husband died in Jeddah. All hell broke lose. We had no one in Jeddah. Getting his body back home proved to be very difficult. I had to go into Iddah.

During the first couple of weeks my relatives kept dropping by, but then they had their lives and stopped visiting me. I cannot express the loneliness I felt. Each day felt like a week. I became depressed. There were times when I felt like banging my head against the walls. I was lucky that we had our own house, but running it became a problem. I lost my job and we had to live on the amount forwarded by my husband's employees as his dues and my own savings. I cannot blame anyone for not helping out financially. All my relatives had their own problems as they are not rich. The only thing I am bitter about is the way I was left alone. They did not visit me because they were afraid I would ask for help; something I would never have done. I loved my husband... still do, but the agony of being restricted to the four walls was unbearable. Getting a job was another problem. I just want to say that please don't leave the widows alone. Family and friends should extend them support by visiting them and looking after their problems.

The length of iddah

The purpose for iddah is primarily to ascertain if the woman is pregnant or not, so there can be no question later on about the paternity of the child. In case a woman is expecting, her iddah ends with the delivery of her baby even if the child is born a minute after the husband's death. Our religion instructs the widow or the divorcee to remain confined in her house. The waiting period (Iddah) of a widow is four months and ten days. For a divorcee, the period of iddah is three months. During this period, the woman cannot get married.

Old widows or women who have reached menopause are not exempted from observing their iddah. Their iddah period, according to most scholars, is three months and ten days.

The iddah period of a wife who has not reached puberty is also three months and ten days. Iddah is not mandatory if the marriage breaks up before the rukhsati.

Even if a woman has been separated from her husband, regardless of the duration of the separation, she has to observe iddah after the divorce.

Working during iddah

In the good old days, family ties used to be strong. A widow did not have to worry about financial matters. There were always male relatives to look after her. But times have changed and with them, our values. Many women find it difficult to carry out this religious obligation.

Most of the problems faced by the women in iddah occur due to ignorance about religious injunctions in this regard. Islam is the most reasonable religion. It allows women in iddah to work, with some conditions, if their livelihood depends on their income. Islam also gives them the right to spend the period at the house of their ex-husbands. Had Aisha been aware of it, she might not have lost her business and Zahida and Mrs. Hamid might not have lost their jobs.

- In case of serious illness a widow or a divorcee can go to the doctor.

- If the house is in danger of collapsing, God doesn't expect the woman to perish there. She can move to a safe place and complete her iddah.

- If the woman needs to work to survive or to take care of her children, she can go to work dressed very simply. She is enjoined to return before maghrib.

According to prominent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi:

"Such a woman (a widow in her waiting period), however, is permitted to go out to fulfil a need such as seeking medication or buying necessary stuff if there is no other person to do that. She is also permitted to go for work if she is a career woman, working as a teacher, a doctor, a nurse or the like. In all these cases, being in `Iddah she is allowed to go out of her house, as we know, she is not going out for socialization."

Many modern women feel that since the object behind observing iddah is to ascertain pregnancy, a medical test should be conducted instead of making women languish for three to four months.

Dr. Abdel-Fattah Idrees, professor of Comparative Jurisprudence at Al-Azhar University disagrees:

A woman is asked to observe iddah (waiting period) even if she is sure that she is not pregnant. Some people claim that there is no need for `iddah so long as it can be confirmed by the modern medical means that a woman is not pregnant. Such a group of people have got themselves into a very dangerous abyss. Muslim jurists have noted that a Muslim woman is commanded both in the Qur'an and Sunnah to observe a waiting period after she is divorced or widowed.

The legal rights

Unfortunately, immediately after the divorce, or the death of the husband, women are turned out of their houses. In certain instances, men have divorced their wives after as many as 20 years and kicked them out.

Eminent women rights activist Zia Awan clarifies the legal rights of the widow/divorcee.

"There is no written law that authorises anyone to kick out the widow or the divorcee. A widow cannot be forcibly ejected from her husband's house if the parents-in-law are dead. In that case, the husband had a share and the widow cannot be dispossessed.

However, even if the house is in the name of the father-in-law, the widow cannot be asked to leave till her dues are paid and her dowry is returned.

Zia Awan empathically stated, "We need to amend our laws to protect women. We need to spell out ambiguities not clear in the law. Forcing women to leave after the death of their husbands is a kind of violence. Unfortunately, the UC Nazims, councillors and the police tend to be biased against women. If they ever do something for a woman, it is only due to sympathy factor."

It's high time our law makers pay heed to voices of sanity to protect women like Zahida and Mrs. Hamid who lost their jobs because they wanted to carry out their religious obligation in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan!

* Names have been changed to retain privacy.

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about wearing designer sunglasses? The answer is simple: making a fashion statement.

Sunglasses have long been associated with celebrities and film actors primarily from a desire to hide or mask their identity. Since the 1940s sunglasses have been popular as a fashion accessory, especially used on the beach. It is interesting to note that hundreds of Ray-Ban Sunglasses (a designer label) have made appearances in Hollywood hit films like 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (1961), 'Blues Brothers', 'Risky Business' (1983), 'Men in Black' (1997) etc.

History tells us that sunglasses were worn ever since the times of the Romans and Chinese emperors. It is said that the Roman emperor Nero liked to watch gladiator fights with emeralds. These, however, appear to have worked rather like mirrors. Contemporary documents describe the use of such crystals by judges in Chinese courts to conceal their facial expressions while questioning witnesses. Still, it was during the 1900s that they become veritable items of fashion and people started to enjoy wearing them. In time, many reputable names of the fashion industry have also become sunglasses designers.

Most sunglasses today are not just used for protection against UV rays and sun glare but are also a status symbols and a style quotient. Gone are the days when they were used to just shield your eyes against sun rays, they are now an investment, especially when you buy brands like Christian Dior or Gucci.

Gucci Sunglasses are said to be the ultimate in fashion and designing. Fashionable women prefer wearing a pair of Gucci sunglasses in order to make a remarkable style statement. On the other hand Christian Dior sunglasses are at the cutting edge of trendy design and hence are the first choice of stylish women. The brand has been modernized to replicate the latest sunglass designer trends.

This year, the hot trend is to wear the oversized sunglasses, but not just any old pair will do. While oversized is cool, there are plenty of brands, no-name companies, and styles that are a big no-no in the world of sunglasses. The most popular styles include: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, Chanel, '70s style thick framed sunglasses, tortoise shell frames, gradient lenses, John Lennon-style round glasses, and oversized sunglasses. These styles, along with Aviators, continue to be the staple pieces in fashionable eyewear when it comes to the latest trends in sunglasses. Chanel's new collection of sunglasses plays on the subtle combination of a modernized design inspired by the sporting world and Chanel's favourite 'couture' codes. However, you have to have them just right in order to actually pull off a trendy look.

Today, if you are interested in finding the right sunglasses, you do not have to spend hours and hours rambling through various stores. Comfortably enough, you have the Internet technology and numerous virtual stores to provide you with everything you need when it comes to sunglasses. Reputed brands reach prospective customers through the World Wide Web, attracting with the multitude of options and competitive prices. The designer sunglasses are deliberately kept expensive, so that their exclusivity is maintained.

Black, white and tortoise shell frames are mainstays, but you can also choose bold colours - red, blue and yellow - to make a fashion statement. If you're looking to be hip, hot, and in fashion, then buy only from name-brand companies to get the look you want. Cheap imitations are just in bad taste.

The use of cosmetic or decorative lenses is increasing everyday. It has been estimated that about 125 million people use contact lenses worldwide which constitutes over 2 per cent of the overall population. Leonardo da Vinci is credited with introducing the general principle of contact lenses but the man didn't live long enough to witness the misuse and danger of this product.

In Pakistan, there are three types of contact lenses available in the markets. The first kind is very common and is known as 'extended wear'. These type of lenses are substitutes for people suffering either from short-sightedness or long-sightedness. The advantage: one does not need to remove them for extended periods of time. In fact the user could even sleep and bathe while wearing them. However, coloured extended lenses are rarely available in Pakistan.

Coming to the second type of contact lenses; these are the ones that can be used for a whole day without any interlude called 'Daily wear'. These lenses are available for both cosmetic and non-cosmetic purposes. 'Daily wear' can be used for an entire day at a time, but need to be removed before one hits the bed.

The last type is called 'party wear' and is very common in Pakistan. Most of the consumers for this type are females and these lenses have the least life span of all. There are also disposable lenses available at cheaper rates in the market that could only be used once. The extended usage of any lens however, could cause serious eye infection or grave damage to one's sight.

Opticians revealed that changing the eye colour through decorative contacts is more common in females in relation to males. Besides the female youth, women between late twenties and mid-thirties follow the trend of decorating their eyes with these contacts. "Both genders are fond of consuming these cosmetic contacts for a change but consumption by females is more apparent especially in their late twenties," explained an optician. According to an estimate, four to five sales of contacts lenses are recorded daily but the arrival of any festivity or occasion increases the consumption.

Optometrists don't generally recommend the use of contact lenses for either cosmetic or non-cosmetic purposes. According to them, the eye-cornea (which is the transparent external coat of the eye covering the iris and the pupil) is extremely sensitive and needs to be taken care of. Wearing lenses creates a layer on top which may lead to many complications. Consider wearing your sneakers or joggers for a week at once - your eyes would be suffocated the same way as your feet would if you left your lenses on for that long.

If the use of contact lenses is unavoidable then soft contacts are highly recommended as the thinner the layer of the contact the better it will be for the eyes. This layering is very thin in extended wear lenses therefore they are safe to use. The users of contact lenses need to understand that the cornea is one of the most sensitive tissues of the body therefore they need to treat it with extra care.

Complications that can result from extensive use of contact lenses include bacterial infections, corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers and allergic reactions. Contact lens wearers (especially soft lens) have an increased risk of ulcers if one does not follow the strict routine for cleaning, handling, and disinfecting of the lenses and lens cases. Here it is important to note that soft contact lenses are designed to have high water content and can easily absorb bacteria and infectious organisms if not cared properly.

Related risks

Although they may look cool, coloured lenses can cause serious eye damage or may eventually lead to a loss of vision. If the lens does not fit the eye correctly, the flow of oxygen to the eye's surface is reduced and the risk of inflammation and infection increases. This may result into an ulcer in the cornea. Optometrists explain that the corneal ulcer is a white layer on spectacles blocking the whole vision making it impossible for the user to see ahead. Such is the case in corneal ulcer in which complete blindness occurs.

How to prevent infection

- It is important for the user to consult an eye-specialist beforehand.

- Wash hands thoroughly before using the lenses

- Keep the lens case clean as this would help in increasing their life span.

- In case of unavailability of the liquid for washing contacts one should never use homemade saline solutions as improper use of homemade saline solutions has been linked with a potentially blinding condition among soft lens wearers.

- Never swap contacts with your friends or any one.

- It is advised that while wearing lenses one should avoid visiting smoky, windy or dusty places.

Dearest Nadine,

I am a 19-year-old girl and a 26-year-old guy is in love with me. We're in contact through Internet chat and text messages via mobile phone only. I don't mind all of this but my parents are not aware of this relationship. I cannot tell them now. It's not the time. I just want things to go normally the way they are. The problem is that this guy always keeps on insisting that he wants to talk to me over phone whereas I can't. I even gave him a very genuine and truthful reason for that, but all in vain because he thinks that may be I don't trust him.

Here, I also want to mention that my father even saw us chatting over the net and he didn't mind it because he has known the guy and his family for a long time, before even I knew him. So as long as we're in contact through chats/sms, it's ok. But I know my parents will really mind it if I talk to him over phone. Please tell me how to convince him. I really like him.

Bewildered

Dear Bewildered,

What are you surprised at? At the fact that the guy is not satisfied with chatting and texting at the age of 26? Perhaps it's enough for the people of your age group, but this guy is not a kid; he wants more. You cannot have a relationship where you can set the rules and expect the other party to follow them. You say that you want the way things are to go, because you are still pursuing your studies and don't want distraction. But that is not what this guy wants. You have two options: you can tell the guy that you can only text or chat and he can either take it or leave it. Or, you can accede to his demand and be prepared for more. He won't be satisfied for long by having telephone conversations. His next step will be to invite you out and he will keep on exerting pressure on you to meet somewhere. My dear, these innocent chats and text messages can become quite problematic. Tell him that you trust him, but cannot talk to him without your parents' permission because they trust you. The good thing is that you are sensible enough not to succumb to the pressure he has been applying on you. I wish there were more girls like you who can use their heads instead of using their hearts to think. Good luck!

Dear Nadine,

I am a 12-year-old Muslim girl. My problem is that I developed a relationship with a 36-year-old married man on the net some months back. We started as friends and I told him everything about myself. He knows all my personal secrets. After a while he told me that he had fallen in love with me and I believed him. Then he stopped taking to me suddenly and started ignoring me. I felt hurt and arranged a meeting with him and a close and experienced friend of mine to sort things out. It failed. He got angry and left. I have tried contacting him but he doesn't reply. He lied about a lot of things to me like loving me for instance. He justified it by saying that I seemed like a depressed girl and he wanted me to feel as if people cared for me.

I live in constant gloom and depression nowadays. I have lost interest in studies. I 'cut' and cry regularly. I even tried smoking. I feel lonely and sad. I want my friend back.

Furthermore, I was sexually abused at 8 by my brother. That guy knows it too and he is the only one who knows it.

My sister found out and she told my parents to restrict my net. Now I feel more depressed than ever because my friends were the only ones who helped me. Please solve my problem. You are the only one I can turn to.

246

Dear 246,

At the age of 12, you cannot be blamed for being taken in by a guy more than twice your age. You did not know what was happening, but shame on this unethical, immoral guy who has been taking advantage of your tender years. First of all, you are way too young to develop a relationship, especially with a married guy who is 36. What you had was a sort of communication with a stranger that often results when children are ignored by their parents. This man claims to have fallen in love with a 12-year-old, which is absurd. Had this guy been married at 21, he might have had a daughter of your age. That's how old he is! Besides, you did not fall in love with him. All you wanted was a person you could talk to, and he just happened to be there. He gave you importance and that made you give him your trust. Don't be afraid because you have told him a couple of your secrets. You are so young that any thing wrong that was done by you can easily be excused, by the manoeuvring of this guy cannot be condoned. So forget about this guy like you forget a bad dream. Don't think about him. Also, please get out of this habit of cutting; it is bad for you physically and psychologically. Keep yourself busy with your studies and games if you are a sporty type. Try to make friends closer to your age group. About your brother, my advice to you is to go to your mother and tell her what has happened in detail. Your sister has already done it to some extent, but you need to explain what has happened and get your mother's advice. Don't worry about getting a bit of scolding, mothers scold all the time and that is not to hurt you. They do it because they want you to do well. Don't forget that your parents are selflessly yours. At times they are busy and don't give time to children - which is wrong - but it doesn't mean that they don't care for you. They are there to protect and support you, so confide in them. You mentioned being abused by your brother. You need to tell your mother that. If you can't do that, you must contact Aangan-Rozan, an NGO that is working to eliminate child sexual abuse. They also provide counselling free of cost. You can contact them at P.O. Box 2237, Islamabad. Their contact number are: (051)7165365,2215368 and their e- mail address is aangan@mail.comsats.net.pk Best of luck!

The trend setter...

With Karachi being flooded with so many designer launches it is good to see a launch event take place in our fashion hub Lahore. The event was a starry one with celebs present everywhere. You! takes a look at the opening of the innovative clothing wear...

In the past couple of months Pakistan has seen a number of launches of designer wear from some good ol' high profile designers such as Nicki Nina and Neelo Allawala. Agreed all these designers are big in their own way and with their popularity on the rise it is quite difficult for anyone new to compete with them. However, things are changing now and we can see some fresh blood on the scene as the new kid on the block Shahbaz Aslam recently unveiled his designs in Lahore. The eager shoppers were craving to take a peek at his designs and why wouldn't one be excited when so much glitz and glamour was connected with the designer wear?

Shahbaz Aslam launched his first ever outlet and designer collection with a bang last month in Lahore. The star studded affair was attended by the big wigs from our fashion, music and film industry. Yes, anyone who is anyone was present. The event was sponsored by Clear and Atif Aslam himself was present to inaugurate the place. Not only that but our very own cutie Ali Zafar was present too, posing next to Atif as the cameras flashed away. It's good to know that the two superstars can join forces to promote a talented new designer.

On the red carpet, the media and the press interacted with stars of the entertainment/showbiz industry including Mr.and Mrs.Moamer Rana, Khawer Riaz, Noor, Rabia Butt, , Athar Shehzad, Ifran, Saad, Maram Abroo, Aniee of All-e-Nora, Mahreen Syed, Nadia and Rizwan Ali, friends and family of Sahabaz, Sonia and Fahd Humayun, Fahad Husseyn, Kuki, Zarmina, Fiya, Rubab, Zaibunisa, Fahad Kader and other glitterati especially invited for the launch. Also present at the high society event was the actress Noor, keenly ruffling through the variety of clothes present. The launch was managed by Catwalk Event Management, PR & marketing was done by Catalyst. The big boss of the Catwalk Event Management, Frieha Altaf graced the event with her presence making sure that the event went just as planned and it seems like it turned out better than the lady could have imagined.

The outlet offers a variety of dresses from bridal to casual wear as well as accessories both formal and everyday kind of stuff at affordable prices. The clothes meant for ladies included Shalwaar Kameez for both casual and party wear and a wide variety of western wear beginning with flashy glittery tops to formal dresses. Since the winter season is going on and people prefer to cover up rather than bare it all, Shahbaz Aslam has made sure that an assortment of winter wear is provided to the customers. The designer however, does not cater to just the female sex as one can spot many an interesting buys for men as well.

The line for men included classy jackets which have a touch of sophistication along with hip coats and colourful jackets for the funky shopper. Also available at the outlet are sunglasses, ties, belts and jewellery.

The designer is a new addition to the Pakistani fashion industry and has brought his own unique style to the table. We wish him best of luck and raise our glasses to more of the youth coming forward and proving just what this generation is all about!

Radish Bhujia with mini Puris

Puris with a bhujia is the ultimate Pakistani breakfast dish, but instead of the typical Aaloo bhujia and halwa we bring you the tasty and delicious Radish bhujia. You! has collaborated with the food maestro Azra Syed to create a spicy new version of the mouthwatering breakfast dish...

Ingredients:

Radish leaves (chopped) 1/2 kilo

Red chillies 6

Cummin 1 tsp

Garlic paste 2 tsp

Green chillies 6

Salt 3/4 tsp

Oil 1/4 cup

METHOD:

- Start by heating the oil and add red chillies and cumin

- Cook them till they turn golden and mix in the garlic paste

- Add the chopped radish leaves, green chillies, salt and fry

- Cook on low heat till done

- Serve with mini puris and achar

Mini Puries

Ingredients:

Flour 1/4 kilo

Salt 1 tsp

Oil 2 tbs

Water for kneading

METHOD:

- Begin with sieving the flour

- Add oil and salt and mix well

- Knead with water into a stiff dough

- Roll and cut into a round cutter

- Heat oil in a karhai and deep fry the puri till it is light golden.

THE MUSIC LINK

Cracks in the socio structure in the worlds second largest film industry are showing clearly as the Bollywood buckles under the orthodox Hindu elements who are giving ultimatums and reigning terror in the hearts and minds of the world of film and music. However, music guru A R Rehman is hopeful that things will settle down and get back to normal and so is our enormously talented boy from Lahore, Shiraz Uppal. The Roya Re singer has been making it big in Bollywood as well as on home ground. His work and long association with A R Rehman goes a step further as he has leant his vocals for Rehman's composition 'Secret of success' in the up coming movie 'Boys' to be released sometime around March.

Shazie has proved to be the silent star whose determination to work and deliver some really super music is accepted by everyone on all fronts. With his own heartrending 'Roya Re' for the film 'Dhoka', Shazie is proving that he is working with some of the best names in the music industry of the sub continent and we are hoping for more fab stuff from him.

Oh Lord he has done it again! Once again the super star has left people waiting for him while he does the disappearing act. Let's ask the mega question, is Omar Sharif proving to be an enigma or is he just trying to see how far he can test the patience of his peers, or is old age catching up on him - as he forgets whom he has given a date to and where he is to meet them. We have to accept that his idea of punctuality is a quality that people have given up on, after all, no one can change the spots on the leopard. But what people are left wondering at is his opinion on commitment. Once again he has left the producers of a show that he committed to in a flap. He refused to come at the last hour saying that he was unwell. Wonder what it was that has been eating away at this star. Could it be that he is sick of making people laugh and therefore is turning his hand at making them sob! The only difference is that now the management involved in recording show have grown accustomed to the quirks of such mega stars and this one in particular. If he turns up well and good, should he not, the show will go on. And let's face it, more often than not the show turns out to be pretty good when the hosts are not left waiting for guests. All we can meow about is that Omar Sharif should remember that it is the audience that he is sidelining and it is the audience that has made him the star he is.

The modern touch

These days postmodern, neoclassical styles are ruling people's hearts. Influenced by the clean design phenomena of the west many are now incorporating the same approach in their homes. Interior designer Mohammad Salman ul Haq speaks of the latest trends in the market, "Personally I have noticed that people are now favouring stuff that goes along the modern line of furniture. Most are generally avoiding stuff that has a lot of ornamentation and people are now trying to stay clear of that extremely classical furniture."

When it comes to the walls Salman recommends plain soft colours with one or two bright extended walls. "Bright colours are not really being used as such these days. Mostly if people opt for bright colours, they are usually in combination with a more subtle shade. Also what I have noticed is that, whether it's lighting or flooring everything these days is in a very clean form. There isn't much art involved in the design. Here at SUH we use a lot of natural material for furniture and stone finishes and flooring etc. You will notice that these are getting very popular these days along with rough textures for the walls," says Salman.

You can also try using interior landscapes that is indoor plants and rockeries to give your home an earthy touch. There is also the option of dry landscaping i.e. dry stores with indoor plants, "water is also being used as an element these days," informs Salman.

*SUH design consultants can be found @ Main Shahrah-e-Faisal, Karachi.

Do it your way!

While re-decorating or up-dating your home you don't need to follow the latest trends blindly. You need to discover your own personal style because at the end of the day the only thing that doesn't go out of fashion for anyone is their individuality.

"If you are doing a room the first thing you should do is peel out unneeded items. Then look at the room and figure out if you can do with a colour change; whether the place would benefit from a simple colour change or a new wall paper or even a textured wall depending on the effect you want. Your choice would depend on the room whether it's a bedroom or a more formal setting such as a drawing room," says Zeeba Korejo, an interior designer at Silkworm,.

Lighting is another important aspect of any room, normally people really underestimate lighting but in reality that's what gives a room its subtlety - care should be taken when choosing the lighting i.e. whether you need *up lighters or down lighters or whether you need lighting on pieces of art etc. whether it should be too low or too high. "Gone are the days of typical glass chandeliers. Now, a variety of beautiful chandeliers with intricate designs and finishes are in the market these days, you may find exquisite chandeliers made of wrought iron. And they bring elegance and majesty to any place," informs Zeeba.

Another good idea is to play with rugs. For a day-to-day room try and pick up something very durable. One can also combine small pieces to dress up the floor. "A few small rugs are also more hygienic. The best addition to any room of the house is to have a nice tiled or wooden floor and throw small pieces of rugs around," suggests Zeeba.

As a last piece of advice she says, "If you see something in a magazine that you really like which is red for example, then don't just go out and replicate it, my suggestion would be to go for something neutral so you don't get tired of the colour. Mix up a subtle colour with bright and/or bold accessories - instead of a bright red wall you would have things which have meaning for you and things that would please your eyes. Also be safe with big purchase and playful with accessories, and always look at new things in terms of their life span, will you live with a red sofa for the next 4-5 years?"

*You can stop by Silkworm @ Lane 3, Shop 2, Zamzama, Karachi.

Parallel lines...

There are some people who like to have a mishmash of everything. According to Interior Designer Ainee Shehzad there are two parallel trends going around these days. "You can see the very straight lined contemporary stuff and then on the other hand you can also see the very intricate, detailed, carved furniture. So it's more like the classic piece of beauty that reflects the old world charm. It's like Elizabethan or Mughal times are coexisting with their modern siblings and of course both are worlds apart," she says.

Ainee prides herself on giving her customers the very best, and in fact is one of the very few designers who are running a website for their clientele. Speaking of the latest trends she says "there is a lot of embroidery that's going into the fabric and upholsteries these days. People are going more for custom made things - they prefer things that will set them apart from the rest. The thing is people have now realised that they are spending the ir money so why not add value to it by buying something that's more of a personal statement?"

Custom made goods are undoubtedly very popular these days and Ainee's style is very client oriented. "The upholstery I use is very individually embroidered, it's not just off the rack and every piece is distinct," she says. Her work has an old meets new feel to it as she has combined elements from both to create unique pieces of furniture. People who are looking for something that not the same old cliched carved mahogany furniture should check out her work.

*Check out Ainee's style @ www.aineeshehzad.com