Betty’s a mess today.
Heard that before haven’t you? But I am…I am.

For the past more than a few days…in fact ever since I had the scaling done on my teeth and was spitting blood out like I had just gotten out of a boxing match…my teeth have just been hurting at regular intervals. Not only that, the doctor warned me that the freak that I am, with a mouth full of extra molars, the walls of my mouth (whatever the correct terminology is) will be injured from time to time due to their pointy protrusion. Well that has happened twice in the past month, meaning that I can’t even open my mouth properly. Chewing is entirely another issue. And given the fact that my appetite is roused every time I see haleem or nihari, the usual lunch in my office…I can’t eat anymore than a few niwalas before my teeth protest and my mouth starts hurting.

Even this morning, since I was late…another story altogether…An had ordered donuts for me from Rahat…and I couldn’t eat them. Life’s ironic…ain’t it? There are people starving because they don’t have food to eat…I am starving b/c my mouth’s giving me an attitude.

I really should have the extra molars taken out…but right now, taking days off is not possible. My promotion (one that has come in effect without documentation) is due next month and I have my fingers crossed for an increment. Not just that, I want to take days off when the family and I can go somewhere for a much needed family vacation.

As for this morning, rather a couple of mornings…I haven’t been able to wake up in time for my prayers. In all honesty, I hardly ever miss my Fajr prayers…but in the past week, I have only been able to wake up once for my prayers. And that alone makes it more times than I have ever missed my prayers in a single year. What bothers me is that this has been my routine for a good four years…that’s not an easy routine to be broken. And I very very rarely miss my Fajr prayers. Plus last night, Bhai and Aban were out as usual for a dinner and called me a lil’ before mid night to open the door in ten minutes…I was so sleepy, I mumbled an affirmative and fell asleep again. Thirty minutes later I woke up, rushed down and saw the door was locked…meaning that they had come in. Lights were on in their room and I am sure they’re angry at me for being so irresponsible.

I don’t know what’s coming over me.