Have you ever been afraid of something so much that it consumes your whole being? So much so that you cannot eat or sleep? I have a fear….but you will laugh if I tell you what I am afraid of. This I am sure of. I am scared to death of Chipkalis to the point that I think I have a phobia! Interestingly, when contemplating my move to Karachi some six months back F.A had said, “You know you will have to deal with chipkalis in Pakistan all the time?” And I said, “Oh whatever! I can deal with anything!” I should have kept my mouth shut….

Chipkalis are small house lizards in colors of orange, green, light green or orangy-green. They come out at night, mostly during humid conditions, and like to roam around bright lights. They usually climb on walls or hang out on the ceiling. Apparently they are useful to have in your home because they eat small ants, bugs and even mosquitoes. N.A informed me Imam Sultan Mohammad Shah has said that chipkalis are “lucky.” Unfortunately, I do have any reference for this….

Outside the women’s residency, there are chipkalis hanging out on the walls at night. I time myself when entering my room so no chipkalis can enter. If I have to get to the other side of the hallway and there are chipkalis on the ceiling along the way, I run! While in my room, I periodically scan every corner and all the walls. You can say I am slightly paranoid…

Since I have been in Karachi (two months now), I have had to deal with Chipkalis 5 times while my fellow women’s residency neighbor, K.M, has never had a chipkalis in her room since the 6 months she has been here. My other neighbours do not have to deal with this 'problem' either.

I have always believed that if you are meant to learn a lesson in life, that same situation will present itself over and over again until you actually learn that lesson. In my opinion, I have had many encounters with chipkalis compared to my neighbours is because I have to learn a lesson. My lesson is to overcome this fear I have of chipkalis because in the end, I should not be afraid of anything but God (Allah). And this fear is so ridiculous because a chipkali is actually scared of humans and hence, will never do anything to harm them. So what is wrong with me?!

Let me describe to you what transpired during my dealings with the dreaded chipkali(s).

Situation #1: I am in my room at the AKU guesthouse watching television and surfing on the net when I suddenly notice a small lizard type “thing” on my ceiling. I automatically knew that that was a chipkali. I ran out of my room, screaming for the guesthouse caretaker. While he was trying to locate the chipkali, (btw, they run like nobody’s business!) I sat in the corner crying. The care taker only managed to cut the chipakali’s tail but the chipkali itself hid somewhere in my room. That night I cried, not wanting to live in Karachi anymore. That night, I refused to sleep in my room. I managed to make the caretaker let me sleep in an empty room that night.

Situation #2: The next night I am watching television in my room when I notice the same chipkali climbing my wall. I know this was the same chipkali as last nights’ because it had no tail….Again I run out the room and scream for the caretaker. Again, I’m crying uncontrollably. Thankfully, the caretaker killed the chipkali. You may think I’m evil for wanting the chipkali dead, but try to step into my shoes.

Situation #3: Now I’m in my room at the women’s residency when I notice a chipkali on my ceiling. I panic, I cry, I lose control. I call downstairs to the reception and ask them to please send someone to my room to get this chipkali out. It takes them 15 minutes to get to my room but it seemed like a lifetime. All the while I am standing at a corner in my room crying…waiting for someone to come…watching the chipkali slirher across….my heart pounding uncontrollably… Again, the man does not get the chipkali and it hid somewhere in my room. I did not eat and neither did I sleep that night. I had the light on the whole night, constantly scanning my walls and ceiling. I had my whole room fumigated the next day. I even placed egg shells at every corner of my room because I was told chipkalis do not like egg shells.

Situation #4: I see a Chipkali run across my floor as I enter my room last night. These egg shells are useless. Instead of panicking and crying, I grab my shoe and aim at the chipkali. The chipkali escapes yet again. I scanned my room over and over again but could not find it. How did I sleep last night considering the fact that the chipkali was still hiding in my room? Pretty well. I even slept with my light off and ate my dinner properly. I did not cry once! Have I overcome this fear?

Situation #5: Another chipkali is identified. The fumigator is called right away and the chipkali is killed after a little fight. As soon as the fumigator leaves, a SECOND CHIPKALI OF THE NIGHT passes right by my feet. I panic! I grabbed a broom and struck it. I think this chipkali had already been hurt because it was not moving fast at all. As I was about to kill the chipkali, I could see it's eyes staring at me. It was as if he/she knew its’ fate and was begging me to not do it. I actually felt horrible…said sorry….and killed it…As much as I am fearful of chipkalis, I still feel horrible.