The One-Sided Paratha

The One-Sided Paratha

This morning, my wife made a paratha with ghee on only one side. Not on purpose, of course. She was multitasking, which in her case means packing lunch, checking messages, and giving me a look that clearly said, “You could help, you know.”

When I sat down to eat, the first bite was heavenly, crispy, and full of desi comfort. The second bite felt like karma, dry and slightly emotional. That’s when it hit me: this was not just breakfast. It was a life lesson.

Many of us live like that one-sided paratha. We focus on appearances but skip the real work. We join meetings but don’t really contribute. We plan big goals but forget consistency. We say insha’Allah (God willing) and then leave everything on divine autopilot. Half effort, full expectation.

The result? A life that looks fine from one angle but feels incomplete from the inside. Just like that paratha, no amount of pickle on the side can fix what is missing in the center.

Real satisfaction, whether in work or life, comes when both sides get equal attention. So, whether you are cooking up your career, your project, or even your relationships, take that extra minute to flip it. Add a little mehnat (hard work), a touch of dil se (from the heart), and maybe a reminder that perfection needs both sides to shine.

Because no one remembers the person who made the “almost” good paratha.

So next time you are at the tawa of life, ask yourself: is this going to be a one-sided paratha or a properly golden one?

P.S. If you liked this story, do check out my humor book **Pakistani 24/7**. It is a compilation of lighthearted tales about everyday life in Pakistan.