Khyati and Mitul Patel
My name is Khyati Patel (formerly Modi). I am 33 years old and currently residing in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
I met Mr. Sobhag Haria also lovingly known as papa when I was only 22 years old. Our relationship feels like ages ago but still holds fond and fresh memories of how we met, how he generously welcomed me and my sister in to his loving home and gave me a second family I can call mine.
I was in London for studies in year 2008 when I happen to walk in to papa and Anju Aunty at a shopping mall. I was working that day and started sharing details and promoting the product to both of them. Not long after, papa asked me where I was from and I proudly mentioned Dar es salaam, Tanzania and the next thing I remember is both of them started shooting me with Kiswahili words like Jambo (hello), Habari (how are you?) etc. I learnt from them that Papa was originally from Kenya and Anju aunty was from Zanzibar which is also my late fathers’ birthplace. Obviously both Anju aunty and I started correcting papas Kiswahili as we Tanzanians stick together and take pride in correcting Kenyan Kiswahili. We laughed and connected instantly! The rest is all history.
I was in London for studies in year 2008 when I happen to walk in to papa and Anju Aunty at a shopping mall. I was working that day and started sharing details and promoting the product to both of them. Not long after, papa asked me where I was from and I proudly mentioned Dar es salaam, Tanzania and the next thing I remember is both of them started shooting me with Kiswahili words like Jambo (hello), Habari (how are you?) etc. I learnt from them that Papa was originally from Kenya and Anju aunty was from Zanzibar which is also my late fathers’ birthplace. Obviously both Anju aunty and I started correcting papas Kiswahili as we Tanzanians stick together and take pride in correcting Kenyan Kiswahili. We laughed and connected instantly! The rest is all history.
Anju Aunty and Papa have both been a rock for me during some of the most difficult times in my life. I lost my father just before I left for the UK, both of them taught me how to be strong and stay positive, they guided me throughout my stay in the UK and continue to do so to date. I have always been treated as a daughter and one of the family members for which I will always be grateful.
Being a daughter also meant I now had to learn how to cook! I learnt how to make my first-round roti (chapati) under the supervision of Anju aunty and Nanimaa (Kanta baa) and the list of all the authentic delicious food that I have learnt to make from Nanimaa goes on. This is one of the fond memories I hold special to me. To date I entertain my family and friends with some of yummy recipes I have learnt from them and it always wins. I owe a lot of what and where I am today to both of them. Some time passed I qualified as a certified chartered accountant and decided to return back to Dar es salaam to my sisters and mother and pursue my career further. I landed a job as an external auditor at Ernst and Young (EY) and it was upwards from there.
I met my loving husband the same year I returned back to TZ and we decided to tie the knot after a few years of getting know each other. In year 2013, I requested papa and Anju Aunty to give Kanyadaan (giving away the bride) to me during our wedding ceremony. I was thrilled when they told me that they would be there. This is normally the father of the bride that takes his daughters hand and places it in the groom’s hands. I could not think of anyone else performing this auspicious ceremony on my big day other than them for the role they have played in my life. They travelled all the way to Dar es salaam to be there and celebrate our union.
Although my stay with Papa and the family in London was short, the memories we made during the time will always stay special to me. I gained and got blessed with another set of parents, grandparents, siblings, family friends and well-wishers who are cherished. We laughed, cried, fought, learnt, be there for each other in all highs and lows of life like in any family and years flew by just like that
Always grateful!.
