Bradford resident Khudayja Makda is on cloud nine since learning of her First-Class honours in a hard-earned Open University English Literature and Creative Writing degree that happily coincided with her first published work.
The 26-year-old confessed that she spent many hours conducting her studies over four years whilst sipping her favourite caramel lattes at Bradford’s Waterstones café.
Khudayja, who moved from Pakistan five years ago, lives west of the city in Lidget Green, says the bookshop’s Gothic surroundings in The Wool Exchange in Hustlergate were truly inspirational: “It’s incredibly beautiful,” she says.
“That is where a lot of ideas come to me. I used to write my Open University assignments there, too, because it’s quite a nice atmosphere. It’s quiet and you can take in the sights and find inspiration there.”
And it’s easy to see why. Towards the top of the building inside, where the café is located, are vaulted ceilings that would not be out of place in the magical Harry Potter books penned by J.K. Rowling who famously worked in cafes on the books.
And so it was particularly fitting that independent publishers Fox & Windmill used the venue to launch the anthology of short stories ‘Tales from the kitchen’, in which Khudayja’s story appears.
It’s a collection of South Asian authentic tales on food, life and cooking including the joys, hardships and comfort it brings.
Khudayja’s 1,500-word short story “Mangoes” is about South Asian women in the kitchen and how they rebel in little ways. “It’s a subtle, story where you look at how mangoes feature and metaphorically explain the sacrifices that South Asian women in the kitchen make,” she says.
“It’s not very overt – it tries to subtly tell you about some social issues while talking about the delicacy that mangoes are in Pakistan.”
She says female members of her family are finding it very relatable. On seeing her own work in print Khudayja’s thoughts were somewhat different: “It feels amazing. I keep saying to people it’s a bit like having imposter syndrome. Is it real?”
Khudayja continues to work full time as the Centre Director of Bradford’s Maths and English tuition centre for children, having juggled a job there and studies over a four-year period.
On achieving a first in her degree, she says simply, and with much satisfaction: “I’ve got what I wanted.” The next challenge? A book, which means Waterstones will be seeing her sipping her caramel lattes for a lot longer yet.
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