It runs in the family: Samar Husain and Scheherazade Husain

Samar Husain, co-founder of Kublai’s Kitchen and her sister Scheherazade Husain, a graduate student

Samar Husain, co-founder of Kublai’s Kitchen, a Mongolian stir-fry restaurant in Islamabad, and her sister Scheherazade Husain, a graduate student in Health and Public Policy at Brown University, talk to us about their bond. These sisters are goals in everyway, from never fighting to sharing an unconditional bond with one another — they are two peas in a perfect pod

What is your first memory of each other?

Samar: Holding her the day she was born! I was seven then and my khala pulled me out of school early to go to the hospital together. I remember being so excited about this magical, living doll that had suddenly appeared, just for me to play with.

Scheherazade: Since I’m seven years younger than her, it’s hard to remember a lot of ‘firsts’, but I remember always wanting to be around her friends when they were over, and getting thrown out of the room fairly soon! I would then proceed to ‘spy’ on them with my toy spy-gear. Oh, how the tables have turned!



What is the craziest thing you have done together?

Samar: I don’t think we’ve done too many crazy things, but we do
love to play small pranks together on our mom.

Scheherazade: I think the crazy gene skipped us, perhaps. I think we can be really funny together though.

What did you get punished for the most as a child?

Samar: Neither one of us has ever really been punished.

Scheherazade: We haven’t been punished. We are either very good kids or super spoilt…I think maybe both!

If you could only wear one piece of clothing for the rest of your life, from the other’s closet, what would it be?

Samar: Her super-fun t-shirts with quirky one-liners. They fit better than any t-shirt I’ve ever found!

Scheherazade: It would be really hard for me to pull off a lot of the looks that she does, but I love her winter clothes! I would probably pick one of her sweaters or faux fur vests.

If you could swap places with each other, what is the first thing you would do?

Samar: Read her journal, instantly! Then I would colour ‘my’ or her hair dark.

Scheherazade: Eat all the food in the world, and truly enjoy it without worrying about the calories.



What is the one thing you love about your sister?

Samar: Her grace and sense of humour. She is like an old Hollywood starlet.

Scheherazade: Her ability to handle any situation — she always knows exactly what to do and say.

If you are fighting with each other, how do you make up?

Samar: We’ve never really fought. Maybe just once or twice over who would get the car and driver.

Scheherazade: We don’t really fight, but I do remember biting her a lot as a child, and she takes her revenge now from time to time.

What is the one secret talent your sister has, that you wish you did too?

Samar: She’s amazing at picking up languages. Tell her a word or a phrase once in any language, and she’ll remember it forever.

Scheherazade: She is the epitome of multi-talented. If she decides that there is something she wishes to achieve, nothing can stop her. I truly envy her ability to turn simple ingredients into a work of art. I suppose it works out because I enjoy the ‘fruits’ without any labour!

Describe your sister in three words:

Samar: Poised, wise and stubborn.

Scheherazade: Selfless, talented, and just as stubborn!

Which fictional character is your sister most like?

Samar: She’s named after Scheherazade from, but I think she’s more like Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda — only prettier.

Scheherazade: Our mother always compares us to Alex and Hailey from Modern Family. Obviously she’s Hailey!



How are your personalities similar?

Samar: I think we are very different. She’s seven years younger than me but everyone thinks she’s the older sister. She’s an old soul and I’m a complete ‘adultescent’.

Scheherazade: Our personalities aren’t very similar, but somehow people mix us up quite often. It’s also near impossible for anyone, including our mother, to tell the difference between us over the phone.

I can’t live without my sister because…

Samar: Because she’s my little baby!

Scheherazade: I would be completely clueless.