It Runs In The Family: Ruby and Mehar Hasan
Ruby and Mehar Hasan share their bond
Lahore-based hair stylist Ruby Hasan and her daughter Mehar Hasan Rafi, who is also pursuing her career in the hair and beauty business, run one of the exclusive beauty salons in the city, Spiltends. This week, the two spoke to TEdit about their adventures, shared memories and more.
What inspires you the most about your daughter/mom?
Ruby: She has a good heart and does a lot of humanitarian work. She goes out of the way to help people.
Mehar: The colour and life she brings to everything and everyone around her, relentless positivity and genuine love for all things beautiful.
What trait of your daughter /mom encourages you?
Ruby: Her positivity and her calm nature.
Mehar: Her disdain of the bandwagon and being true to oneself.
What is your favourite memory of each other?
Ruby: Our trip to Prague when she was studying in England.
Mehar: She picked me up from school once and we were stuck in a traffic jam when a woman in the oncoming car a couple of feet away, window rolled down, let loose on driving rules and the ineptness of women drivers. You should have seen the look on mum’s face.
What is the most adventurous thing you have done together?
Ruby: We survived the worst flood in Srinagar, for a week. How we were rescued is another story!
Mehar: We had the most unimaginable week in Srinagar, where we spent some days at a school-turned-relief camp after being rescued by boat from the second floor of a hotel when the city got inundated by the worst floods in over a century. The adventure involved a complete rainbow, multiple chopper rides over a flooded city, an insight into the people of Srinagar, Indian air force camp life, respect for BBC journalists and the Red Cross, the reality of the real damage floods cause and the uncelebrated heroes who address it, apply orchards, blooming rose beds and snoring choruses at the Lalit hotel, the value of a shower, and a secret forest escape route to a chopper that took off from a golf course!
What’s the best thing about being a part of your family?
Ruby: We are there for each other and we understand each other. Caring, sharing, laughing, problem solving - everything is done as a family!
Mehar: There’s no way out. There’s no excuse. Whatever it is, we’re in it together - a sense of humour and no-ego will create ease.
Is there anything that you wish had been different between you two that you would still like to change?
Ruby: No! I love her the way she is.
Mehar: I’d change nothing, don’t know any other way to be! There is actually NEVER a dull moment.
What is the one thing you love about each other?
Ruby: She’s very kind and patient with me Haha!
Mehar: Never failing to see the humour in any situation..
Is there anything you wanted to tell your daughter/mom but never have?
Ruby: Haha! Lots of things! Better left unsaid.
Mehar: I’ve been writing letters to her since I could write. The things one didn’t tell are better left unsaid!
Describe each other in three words:
Ruby: Caring, positive and funny.
Mehar: Dynamic, other-worldly, a lover of beauty.
How are your personalities similar?
Ruby: Both of us love nature.
Mehar: We are mindful of the importance of a moral compass and the love of nature!
Do you have a favourite child?
Ruby: No, I love both my children equally.
Do you think you are your mom favourite child?
Mehar: No, there’s no favouritism.
Which fictional mother-daughter duo are you most like?
Ruby: Queen Elinor and Merida (Brave).
Mehar: Balakrishna and Bernadette (from where’d you go Bernadette?)
What inspires you the most about your daughter/mom?
Ruby: She has a good heart and does a lot of humanitarian work. She goes out of the way to help people.
Mehar: The colour and life she brings to everything and everyone around her, relentless positivity and genuine love for all things beautiful.
What trait of your daughter /mom encourages you?
Ruby: Her positivity and her calm nature.
Mehar: Her disdain of the bandwagon and being true to oneself.
What is your favourite memory of each other?
Ruby: Our trip to Prague when she was studying in England.
Mehar: She picked me up from school once and we were stuck in a traffic jam when a woman in the oncoming car a couple of feet away, window rolled down, let loose on driving rules and the ineptness of women drivers. You should have seen the look on mum’s face.
What is the most adventurous thing you have done together?
Ruby: We survived the worst flood in Srinagar, for a week. How we were rescued is another story!
Mehar: We had the most unimaginable week in Srinagar, where we spent some days at a school-turned-relief camp after being rescued by boat from the second floor of a hotel when the city got inundated by the worst floods in over a century. The adventure involved a complete rainbow, multiple chopper rides over a flooded city, an insight into the people of Srinagar, Indian air force camp life, respect for BBC journalists and the Red Cross, the reality of the real damage floods cause and the uncelebrated heroes who address it, apply orchards, blooming rose beds and snoring choruses at the Lalit hotel, the value of a shower, and a secret forest escape route to a chopper that took off from a golf course!
What’s the best thing about being a part of your family?
Ruby: We are there for each other and we understand each other. Caring, sharing, laughing, problem solving - everything is done as a family!
Mehar: There’s no way out. There’s no excuse. Whatever it is, we’re in it together - a sense of humour and no-ego will create ease.
Is there anything that you wish had been different between you two that you would still like to change?
Ruby: No! I love her the way she is.
Mehar: I’d change nothing, don’t know any other way to be! There is actually NEVER a dull moment.
What is the one thing you love about each other?
Ruby: She’s very kind and patient with me Haha!
Mehar: Never failing to see the humour in any situation..
Is there anything you wanted to tell your daughter/mom but never have?
Ruby: Haha! Lots of things! Better left unsaid.
Mehar: I’ve been writing letters to her since I could write. The things one didn’t tell are better left unsaid!
Describe each other in three words:
Ruby: Caring, positive and funny.
Mehar: Dynamic, other-worldly, a lover of beauty.
How are your personalities similar?
Ruby: Both of us love nature.
Mehar: We are mindful of the importance of a moral compass and the love of nature!
Do you have a favourite child?
Ruby: No, I love both my children equally.
Do you think you are your mom favourite child?
Mehar: No, there’s no favouritism.
Which fictional mother-daughter duo are you most like?
Ruby: Queen Elinor and Merida (Brave).
Mehar: Balakrishna and Bernadette (from where’d you go Bernadette?)