Secret Love, Hidden Loss

Deep, Down & Desi

In this episode of Fresh To Death, Saima and Maleena discuss how honest you can be about your grief and what it’s like dealing with death in unfamiliar surroundings.

Maleena uncovers an incredible story of a young woman who goes on holiday with her secret boyfriend and tragically has to return home without him.

Back at the café, Saima and Maleena chat about the complex cultural issues when discussing the most personal of circumstances, including who you can share your love and pain with.

Saima opened Masala Wala cafe with her family, a small Pakistani restaurant that serves her mother’s recipes with love and charm. Out of nowhere, she was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer, before she even turned 30. Her life has been dramatically cut short - without treatment, she wouldn’t be here today.

After dealing with her diagnosis, she talks frankly on how she’s getting over dying, so she can get on with living.

Maleena, a Journalist and Producer, lost her brother when they were both teenagers, after a long battle with leukaemia. As she became an adult, her father passed away suddenly and without warning. She shares openly what it’s like growing up with grief, the guilt of being left behind and how her identity as a British Asian was tested to its limits.

Together, they bond over their unique perspectives on life and death and ponder the ultimate question - why?

Join them for their chat over a cup of chai - this could be the most important podcast of your afterlife...

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this programme you can find support at the BBC Action line for bereavement: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4MmhHDSbdDmTpVJhBs2v4Py/information-and-support-bereavement