| Creative Emulation of Laura Esquivel’s writing style | English Higher Level IA-2 | | | 2/21/2010 |

Candidate Name: Shaz Jaleel
School: Dubai American Academy
Word Count: 1121
Teacher: Mrs. Williams

Creative Emulation: Isra Ahmed, a seventeen year old girl from Karachi had yearned for the day where she would be able to express her love for Mihir Jham. They had been together ever since the beginning of their college year, though this had been a secret kept from her parents. The idea of Muslim girl marrying a Hindu boy would never be deemed acceptable or appropriate by them. When she finally garnered the courage to request them to fulfill her desire, her parents were aghast. Isra’s father was taken aback, and questioned her intentions. “How could you even think of such a thing? We are Muslims, and marrying you off to Hindu boy is considered haram.” A similar response was received from her mother, when she reacted; “Do you even know of the consequences of such an act? We will be shunned by the Muslim society, and moreover, we will lose all our respect.” As a result, Isra was denied any further meeting with the love of her life, and was bound to her room until further notice. Isra was devastated, and ran to her room in despair. She knew for her parent’s sake and their family’s reputation that she had to cut all ties with Mihir. In an attempt to explain the unfolding situation, she sent him an email citing reasons for why they could no longer be together. For the first time in years, her parents kept a tab on her, right from what she did, where she went, and more importantly with whom she socialized with. Isra experienced an invasion of private space, and no longer felt comfortable with her surroundings. She began to feel a loss of freedom and all this culminated into a state of depression. Despite these circumstances, Isra was forced to cook,