The Story Of PAF Chapter's Football Team

Words of Rimsha Khan
Submission by Daniyal Naeem

 "This is how we see these players now, smiling. They've conquered the raging seas. But, their story, as every other story, had its share of highs and lows, ups and downs, those moments when nothing makes sense and then the glory that makes everything worth it. So, fasten your seat belts. The story you're about to hear is as exhilarating as it can get."

Here goes, the Story of PAF Chapter's Football Team. :)

Ever wondered what happens when Passion and Love collide? Think. Well, let me make it a little clearer. What happens when Passion for Football and Love for Chapter collide and become one? Yes, you’re thinking exactly what I’m thinking. This collision gives us greats like none other than our own Chapter Football team. In times when we hailed for events like PAFMUN, elections, the efforts of the Outreach and PSS, did we ever wonder what these eleven, absolutely fanatical players have been doing for the past year?

Their passion for football is fierce, no less than a raging fire, and their love for Chapter only provides more fuel to the fire that keeps getting stronger. They train, play and put themselves out there so that WE, the students feel PROUD to be a PAFIAN. These players give their all just to make their school proud. 

Their zeal is endless and their enthusiasm is indescribable. The PAF Chapter A Levels Football team has made our school’s head rise with pride on numerous occasions.

The team started off their season with the Zamzama United Schools Championship. This was the first time this tournament was held and so was eagerly waited for by the ten teams taking part in it. The tournament kicked off on 8th November 2012. Our players went up against Southshore Titans in the first game of the tournament on 9th November 2012. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with the young Muhammad Afridi scoring for Chapter. Next up, our team played against Bayview College on 10th November 2012. After a tough competition, Chapter prevailed, beating Bayview by a goal to nil. The goal being scored by our left back, Zainuddin Chawla. Our next match was scheduled against Lyceum B on 11th November, 2012. The team TROUNCED the opponents with a mighty 6-0 win! The goals coming from our very own captain Naveed Subhan Lone (3), Muhammad Afridi (2) and the aggressive Faizan Khalid (1). The team met up with Lyceum A on 14th November 2012 but the match ended in a goal-less draw. However, we managed to top our group and qualify for the Semi Finals of the Championship.

ZUSC Semi-Final moment.
(left to right) Naveed, Afridi, a KGS player and Shabbir Ali.

The Semi Final of the Zamzama United Championship got scheduled on 29th November, 2012. The team was head on against Karachi Grammar School. The game ended in a goal-less draw yet again after extra time. Hence, a penalty shootout took place. The match ended in a disappointing manner, as KGS beat Chapter on penalties (3-1). While Afridi scored for us, Naveed, Faizan and Hamza Khatri missed their penalties. Although it ended in a sad way, the boys put up one hell of a fight and still came across as Semi-Finalists of a major tournament.

Our ZUSC Semi-finalists.
"They are the ones who play for the name on the front, not the back.
THIS is what makes them strong."

As we all stepped into a new year, 2013, the team anticipated the HBL Karachi United School Championship; the biggest tournament of the year. The highlight being the fact that the Semi-Final and Final were to be aired on television. On 7th January, 2013, HBL KUSC draws took place. PAF Chapter's Football team was placed in group B along with The City School Darakshan, Cordoba School and BVS Parsi. The KUSC tournament kicked off on 12th January 2013, with our team playing against City School Darakshan. We managed to trample Darakshan with a humongous 6-0 victory. The goals being scored by our center back Daniyal Naeem (2), Afridi (2), Shabbir Ali (1) and Atta Malik (1). The tournament proceeded and our next match was scheduled against Cordoba School on 20th January, 2013. The team managed a comfortable win against Cordoba with a satisfying score line of 3-0. The goals were scored by the guy who needs no introduction, Aliasghar Makati (2), and our number 8, Daniyal Naeem (1). The team went up against BVS Parsi next on 26th January 2013 and bagged another win of the tournament rather comfortably. Makati, Shahmir and Atta, all managed to score a goal each while the opponents managed just one goal in response, courtesy of a defensive error.

The team marched into the Pre-Quarter Final stage with a high morale and confident approach. The match was to be played against Bahria College on 3rd February 2013. The score line after extra time remained 0-0 hence, a penalty shootout took place once again. A nerve wracking end as Naveed, Afridi, Naeem, Sherdil and Makati all scored their penalties and took Chapter to victory with a 5-4 win. The tournament was supposed to continue, however, the city law and order situation deteriorated and the tournament was postponed till further notice.

On 4th February 2013 the Inter School tournament kicked off and the opening ceremony took place at the UBL sports complex. On 6th February, 2013, a charity match took place in which 4 teams participated. Our school teamed up with Nixor College, while the other side consisted of KGS and Lyceum. Chapter and Nixor, though fierce rivals, worked together quite brilliantly to win 1-0, the goal coming from Nixor’s Sheheryar Jahangir. On 7th February 2013, City PAF played against City North Nazimabad. The City School North team was crushed with a heavy defeat as the scoreline showed a whooping 10 goals to nil. The never ending list of goal scorers was: Osaid Tabrez (4), Moiz (1), Tauqeer (1), Shahmir (1), Naveed (1), Khalid (1) and Hammad Javed Khan (1). The next match was played on 12th February 2013 against City School PECHS. Once again, our team managed to put up an exceptional performance, sealing the game with an incredible 6-0 win! The goals were scored by Shahmir (3), Naeem (1), Osaid (1) and Moiz (1). The Final was scheduled on 14th February 2013, against our blood rivals City Gulshan. Though the match ended goal-less even after extra time, The City School PAF Chapter lifted the Inter Branch Cup after defeating City Gulshan on penalties 4-2. Our penalties were scored by Naveed, Naeem, Osaid and Moiz.

PAF Chapter's Team in white at the TCS Inter-Branch finals.

After almost a month’s gap, KUSC came back in action after the city's law and order situation settled. On 3rd March 2013, Chapter played their quarter final against Bayview College. After a tough game, Chapter’s number 7, Mohammad Afridi managed to score the only goal of the game and helped our school march into the Semi Final.

On 9th March, 2013, our defending midfielder, Hamza Khatri met with a serious car accident after returning from his tuition. Due to severe injuries, he was rushed to the hospital where he was provided the necessary treatment. However, the injuries proved to be fatal, and Hamza Khatri passed away. The school lost a gem and the team lost a brother. No words can describe the emotional setback that these players went through. The suddenness of the incident and shock had literally swept the floor from underneath their feet. For two weeks, nobody played, nobody trained. Everybody knew that the semi final was around the corner, but the blazing passion with which the players played was no longer there. The will to win and the will to succeed had taken the back seat. All that they knew was that Hamza was no more and that nothing would ever be the same again.

In such time of distress, Hamza’s parents stood firm and strong. Only they knew what sorrow was buried within their hearts, but they encouraged the team to play, and to play well. Our pack leader, Miss Shireen Karamally wasted no time and bucked up the players, it was time that they used the emotional loss and turned it into their strength. Hamza Khatri’s absence was a knife in the heart of all those players, but, they only had one thing in mind now: Play for Hamza, win for Hamza.

And they went ahead, with Hamza in their hearts.
May Hamza Khatri be rewarded a place in Jannah. Aameen.

On 22nd March 2013, the KUSC semi final was scheduled, and we were to play against the Southshore Titans. On paper, Southshore was a well trained team and we had never beaten them before. On the other hand, we were playing with no training and with one of our major players gone. However, at this time, it was all mind over matter. It didn’t matter whether we had trained or not, it didn’t matter whether we had beaten the Titans or not, what mattered was our brother, his love for football and his aspiration to win the KUSC. 

The school left no tables upturned in supporting the football team; buses were arranged and special T-shirts saying 'Rest in Peace Hamza Khatri' were worn by the massive crowd of PAF Chapter's supporters. As the semi final was being played, Chapter’s crowd went sensational; the emotion and passion were captured on television too. Southshore’s Nabeel Baloch scored a goal in the opening few minutes of the game. It was a major setback, but the team was persistent in their efforts and they only knew one thing: they HAVE to win it for Hamza Khatri. Just as the game was ending and all hopes were lost, in what was probably the last kick of the game, Haider Illahi, yes, the guy substituting for Hamza, scored the equaliser! That moment, was surreal. The joy of coming back in the game and the elation of coming close to winning it for Hamza, EVERYTHING was suddenly magnified. As the adrenaline took over the hearts and bodies of our players, the game ended with a score line of one goal to each side. 

Haider Ilahi in action at KUSC Semi-Final.

EXTRA-TIME! 

At this moment, every citizen, every heart, every person was praying. They WANTED us to win! Three minutes into extra time, Chapter earned a corner. Our winger, Fahad Rehman, kicked the ball with utmost accuracy and Moiz Khan (sub: Afridi) managed to score a brilliant header which turned out to be the winner!

Meet M. Moiz Khan! :D

The celebration that followed can be termed as insane, fanatic, crazy and thrilling! But it was ALL justified. These boys could see victory close up and they patiently waited for the referee’s whistle to blow. After the match finished, two heroes, no actually three came up: Haider Illahi, M.Moiz Khan and of course, our brother Hamza Khatri. Playing for him and winning it for him was what they wanted and achieving it made the team aim higher: the KUSC trophy. After the semi-final, one thing was for sure, this was destined to be and Allah was backing the team up with His support and all they needed to do was give in their 200 percent.

On 23rd March, 2013, Pakistan Day, all students thronged to the Baloch Mujahid stadium to support PAF Chapter against Nixor College and in hopes of witnessing history being created. PAF Chapter was in the final of KUSC second time in a row; first time in 2012 when they played against Nixor College but lost the match 3-2. However, now, they returned to correct the mistakes, change the silver into gold and most importantly, play for their brother. Before the match, a tribute was paid to Hamza Khatri when everybody observed a minute of silence in his remembrance. The match started and Nixor played their top notch game. Their attack could have easily rattled any team, but we were formidable opponents. Our defense was exceptional and our goal keeper, Waleed Sherdil made impossible saves. The score remained 0-0 after extra time as well, and a penalty shootout took place. All eyes, ears and hearts were on Waleed Sherdil, our goalie. As the crowd became restless and the nerves started to give up, the five players stood strong as their penalties approached. Every person watching the match, whether on television, or live in the stadium was about to cry, throw up or simply just faint. THAT was the level of pressure everybody felt, but since nobody could do anything, everybody PRAYED. Prayed to Allah to help us, prayed for us to win, prayed to help us win for Hamza!

And this is JUST one-fourth of the crowd of PAF Chapter that rang the stadium with  echoes of
 'Chapter Jeetay Ga'

Those excruciating ten minutes of ten penalties were probably the LONGEST ones of our lives. After 5 penalties each, Naveed and Naeem, missed their penalties for us while Afridi, Illahi and Waleed scored their respective ones and Sherdil blocked two. Hence, the score line was 3-3 which meant Sudden Death. One by one, team members came to take the penalties and scored. Nixor, then Chapter, and it continued. 4 all, 5 all, 6 all. The score just kept on leveling and changing. Every time we scored, sighs of relief were heaved, every time Nixor scored, well, not so much. As PAF Chapter’s Atta Malik scored the 7th penalty for us, Nixor’s Adil Khan came in to take his. As he kicked the ball, Waleed Sherdil BLOCKED it! Yes, THAT MOMENT, is still unbelievable. The entire stadium RAN to the center and cheers for Chapter were sung. Hamza Khatri, our deceased brother, the team played for him, the team stuck together for him and the team WON for him. And, there is absolutely NO doubt in the fact that Allah helped them all through it. He somehow gave these young boys the strangth to play with zeal even after such a big vacuum in their lives. Chapter won the KUSC for the first time EVER, and Waleed “the wall” Sherdil received the well earned trophy of the “Most Valuable Player”. All A2s, including our captain, represented this school for the very last time. An end to an era and a legacy passed on.

Waleed 'the wall' Sherdil receiving his MVP trophy.

The KUSC trophy now sits in Hamza’s room and his gold medal hangs around it. Who knew that a tragedy so big, and so severe could lead our boys to THIS? Our team has truly defined the word family: One for all and ALL for ONE. Indeed, brothers for life. When I look at these players I find inspiration, love, passion, loss and anger too. These players stuck together till the VERY END and did not stop BELIEVING. Yes, it’s the belief that they carried for those two weeks that they can and they WILL win it for Hamza; and they DID. Our football team, not only proved to be the best, but it also managed to pass on a very positive message to every single person out there; people may leave us, but we do not stop living. Instead, we turn that person’s absence into our strength. Just like Tony Dorsett once said, "To succeed... You need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you." Our motivation was none other than HAMZA KHATRI (May you R.I.P, brother).
Today, personally, I am IMMENSELY proud of what this team has achieved. Today, you boys have definitely made the school VERY PROUD. No words are good enough to appreciate your courage and strength, but we sure as hell respect you guys for it. Chapter Football Team: you are our pride, you are our hope and you guys are the light that taught us how to stand up when you fall. All the best for the future guys, may you succeed and may you guys stay like this FOREVER. (Ameen).

1st Row (L to R): Faizan Khalid, Daniyal Naeem, Waleed Sherdil, Samad Raza Khan and Zain ud din Chawla.
2nd Row (L to R): Haider Ilahi, Naveed Subhan Lone and Aliasgher Makati
3rd Row (L to R): Moiz Khan, Sharukh Naviwala and Shahmir Khan

Not only did they prove themselves as the DREAM TEAM, but also became the NATIONAL CHAMPIONS by defeating the KUSC Lahore winners.

They are truly PAF Chapter's Heroes.

"An Uphill Battle"

By: Farishtay Zaidi.
Class: O2

I stare up at the starry winter sky
from the moonlit patch where i lie,
and wonder about the other part of my soul
restlessness roles in and my thoughts too, are of no console

so i give up and brace myself to face it
and let it all come down on me in separate bits,
but nothing makes sense, i feel like crap
for causing the pain & wonder, was it really worth it?

but worthy the decision truly was
as i think about the things that led to that cause,
and hope that he believes me because i am right
i promise to reason with him with all my might

and alas, i win the fight
of trust over love and wrong over right,
i can now say for sure that being truthful can get anything done
when decisions are limited and choices are none.

A Scattered Dream...

By: Neha Batool

My wide eyes never seem to blink when they see you
My crazy heart seems to skip a beat when it feels you
O, I guess, I am in love, if there's such a thing,
But I won't call it love because what we have is much more precious;
Seeing the world go by in a daze
You take me away from reality
With a gentle embrace and a soft kiss,
You take my hand and lead me to your world;
A world full of beauty and love, happiness, and joy,
That is when I realise the perfect world I see with you
Is only just a dream...

The Spirit of Eid.

Just so you know, this story bagged third prize in a story writing competition organised by The Truth Magazine! We are proud of you, Lubaina Ehsan. :-) 

“Happiness, blissfulness, thankfulness, augustness, balminess these were the most best fit “ness” words I could find in the worldly possession near and dear to me … my dictionary. I am new to my teenage years and have been brought up without my mom and dad. My aunt and uncle did a pretty good job. Tomorrow is the day when Eid is expected to be celebrated but of course it depends on the white, exuberant, crescent moon. If Allah shows it to us tonight then tomorrow will be our day to celebrate with merriment and joy. And I found the words that could best describe the way my heart or you can also say my nucleus with four chambers felt at the mention of the word ‘Eid’. Yes, I love to play with words and I’m always searching for new ones. Do you know what? Words have a taste too. Some feel bitter while others give a sweet savor to the tongue when spoken. And when written down, these words have an eternity of feelings, emotions and sentiments behind them. My dictionary belonged to my dad. He and my mom died when I was only six years old in a car crash, and now it is mine. My uncle, a bookbinder, helped me in modifying it a bit. We have attached crispy white pages at the end so that I can write down my words and sometimes my thoughts too. This is my first entry in these leaves (I recently discovered writing ‘leaves’ instead of pages; fancy words make a write-up more interesting.)

Ayesha had just finished writing this when her aunt called her from downstairs.

“Come on Ayesha! We’re going out to get khussay for you.” “That sure is my aunt’s voice,” were Ayesha’s thoughts. “But her melodious voice seems a bit raspy and flaky too due to her sore throat.” “Coming aunty!” Ayesha’s voice was filled with glee as she pounded down the stairs. She was getting new khussay, new shoes, after all!

Roaming around the crowded market Ayesha made a mental note that the market was ‘packed to the rafters’. “Assalam-o-alaikum,” greeted the salesman as they enteredthe shop. Ayesha’s eyes were wide open as she took in all the colors, shimmer and vibrancy of the rows and rows of khussay arranged. Wherever she looked she saw sparkles and tinkles, but in the midst of all this she spotted a spot of dullness. She stopped to look at what it was and to her surprise it was a girl!

A girl dressed in rags. A cloth barely covered her head. To anybody else she would seem like a beggar, a person who pleads for money, but to Ayesha she seemed different. Ayesha saw a tiny bead of a tear streak down her cheek.

While Ayesha’s aunt was busy haggling over the price she went over to where the girl stood. Both girls stood equally tall facing each other and looked of about the same age. “What’s wrong?” Ayesha’s voice spoke with empathy. The girl just stared at her as if she had seen a ghost. “It’s alright, I don’t bite.” At this the girl smiled just as Ayesha realized her phrases rhymed. “I am an orphan,” spoke the girl in a low voice, “It’s only been six months since my parents passed away. My grandfather has taken me in but he earns hardly enough to feed me and himself. I remember coming to this same khussa shop last year with my ‘ammi’, holding her hand and stepping into this shop not knowing that she would not be with me the next year. I miss her and my dad so much.” By this time Ayesha’s eyes had welled up with tears too. Both the girls sat down near the shop and cried. Ayesha felt what it was like not to have one’s parents but she felt worse knowing that an orphan, just like her, was going through such dire circumstances.

Ayesha’s aunt came out just then and saw the girls on the curb, sitting together like long lost friends. Ayesha, sensing her aunt’s presence stood up, took the new khussay from her hand and gently gave them to the girl. The moment spoke of happiness. The girl smiled, a smile that was as flawless as the smoothness of silk. It lit up her face until it was like a star’s shine.

Ayesha looked up at the sky. On the dark sky was the Eid moon smiling down at her. For the moment the moon’s glow seemed no different than the girl’s smile, like gems shining in a dark cave. That’s when Ayesha knew what the spirit of Eid was, something she had not given much thought to, before.

This was Ayesha’s entry in her diary for that night. “Eid is about sharing; sharing happiness, sharing joy, care and laughter. And the biggest achievement on Eid is to make another person smile, for a smile can light up even the darkest of moments. Thinking about it, I didn’t even ask the girl’s name!”

"Beauty Of A Day"

By Umair Ali.
Produced by the Step Up Productions.

A personal message by Umair Ali: Hey there, Pafians! I hope you guys like this video. I worked really hard on this and I pretty much think that it's worth it! So check it out. But yeah, the song's photography video is still in progress. Cheers :-)

Isn't he an amazing teacher?

By Rimsha Khan A1C6.

Short heighted, short tempered, he lashes you out in front of everyone and is known for making the life of a student a living hell. A typical example of “you have to be cruel to be kind”. A man of his words, he is, Ahmed Saya.
A confident walk, a gruffly voice and zeal like none other. This gentleman’s first impression is most likely to be downright scary. Just as you’re thinking along the lines of changing your section, your conscience wakes up, knock’s your head and screams, “Are you nuts?! You won’t get a better teacher than him!” And so, the journey begins!
An absolute master of his subjects and knows exactly what he’s doing. His attitude and focus towards his students is worth mentioning. A man with an absolute straight forward nature and the enthusiasm to help his students reach new heights! He does not leave any margin in polishing his students from coal to diamonds. However, if you happen to be on his hit list then your worries are just beginning. You never know, you might find yourself outside in the corridor, peeking inside the classroom to catch a glimpse of the lecture just because you skipped a class. You might end up being filmed in the class while singing a nursery rhyme because you were late. And to top it off, the video might very conveniently appear on Facebook tagged as: “Welcome back to kindergarten!”
His witty and quick sense of humor might just leave you wondering, “Was he talking about me?!” More of a public figure, he is the safe resort to all those who are surrounded by the demons of Accounting and Mathematics. His perfect idea of practicing is a load of homework, usually, consisting of minimum fifteen questions, which is mostly due by the next day! I still remember how elated we feel sometimes after class and whisper to each other, just in case he overhears us, saying, “No homework?” And our weekend plan would crumble to dust as a six page text from the class representative snaps us back to reality!
His methods are nowhere close to what I have seen before. But they are absolutely genius! However, with this man, it’s always two-way traffic. The second you make him feel that you’re not interested; it takes him seconds to decide your fate in his class and possibly the school.
With him around, accounting classes are a joy! His witty one-liners change the atmosphere of the class easing the terror of the subject.
His love for teaching is very obvious; it’s more like a passion. It’s a force within him that pushes him to put such an extra lot of dedication and hardwork. His sincerity is commendable and he happens to be one of the very few people who are loved and feared at the same time.
Influential and charismatic, he is a sheer joy to be taught with. Believe me, being his students is no less than being on a roller coaster ride. It’s thrilling, fun and terrifying! You would never regret studying from him because once he sets off with a goal; he is bound to achieve it. And if he promises you the best, he makes sure to deliver the best. But take an advice, never, ever, ever, ever, EVER, even “dream” of bunking his class. You just might get thrown out of the window for it!
Mark my words: Studying from him is a lifetime experience, one that you don’t want to miss for anything! So all hail to Ahmed Saya, one of the best and most respected teachers on board! We are very proud of you sir!

Five things I don't like about my teacher.

By: Syeda Ramsha Wasti

It’s almost impossible to like each and everything about a person. So here are a few things that I don't like about my teacher.
My teacher disregards the other aspects of my life. 

Why do most of the teachers give out quite a lot of homework? Do they take an oath of assigning a bundle of homework everyday before they get appointed at a certain school, or do they just do so in order to earn a good reputation in the eyes of the principal? In my case, my teacher makes sure he gives out at least three hours of homework every night because he thinks that I have an ample amount of time at home which I usually waste. The other day he gave me some homework and there was a party going on in my house so I was reading, serving and laughing all at the same time. I stayed up until two in the morning just to complete those questions and turn them in on time. Just picture this: A girl is doing her homework while there is a party going on in her house and everyone's is enjoying besides her. Don’t you feel sorry for her? I bet you do. What my teacher doesn't understand is that he is ruining my social life by bombarding me with this much homework. Honestly, he leaves me with next to no time for the after-school activities and without these my college applications would look bad since colleges do not accept nerds nowadays. On top of it, he punishes me if I fail to submit my homework on time even if I have a genuine reason. I am afraid people would start labeling me a nerd if I carry on with the same boring and lifeless schedule.  

He talks more and listens less!

Generally, though, my teacher talks more and listens less. He’s always busy lecturing us and thus, spends a little time listening to our questions. A few days back, he was explaining a very difficult concept related to commerce. Obviously, I was staring at the white board like a dumb person since I am from a complete science background. And as you may already have guessed it, the ideas kept flying over my head and when I raised my hand to ask a question, he requested me to hold on to it until the end of the lecture. The cut off bell rang by the time he got done and so he rushed out of the class without answering my question. As you would expect, he began with a new topic in the next class. To tell you the truth, whenever I look at the questions related to that topic, I think it’s some weird language written by the ‘Incas of Peru’ (this is some ancient tribe that lived in South America). I personally think he should entertain some questions during the lecture in order to create a friendly environment in the class and to make it a little less boring. If you enter our class while he’s teaching, you would find half of the people yawning and barely keep their backs straight and this is just due to his extremely long lectures.
 My teacher doesn’t trust me!
A loud voice scared me and made me take a step backward as soon as I entered the class.
“You are tardy!!!” my teacher yelled.
“But I am just a few minutes late. It takes time to get here from the library as it is at the other side of the school, “I explained.
“Ahh…that good old excuse. Sit down!!” he ordered.
So I took a seat but surely was a bit annoyed since my teacher didn't even bother to accept the genuine reason behind me being late and listed it as a ‘good old excuse’. This clearly shows a lack of trust between my teacher and I. I don’t like the fact that he regards my genuine problems as lame excuses and puts me in the category of students who bunk classes and then show up with a good and smart excuse. I have never bunked his class yet he doesn't trust me. Honestly though, there’s nothing I could do to change his way of thinking.  
OH! So he’s a little arrogant.
Yes, my teacher is a little arrogant because he always thinks he is right although he is wrong at times. If I say something which contradicts his ideas and beliefs, he asks me to empty my cup and take my foolish and senseless ideas elsewhere. For example, one day my teacher was explaining his views on extremism but when I contradicted his view, he asked me to change my way of thinking since it’s extremely baseless according to him. Isn't this what Albert Einstein's teachers did to him? But then he turned out to be one of the most influential scientists out of the blue. So maybe, there's a great philosopher seated inside me which my teacher is yet to discover. This is usually how I console myself.
He usually compares me with some nerds.
My teacher usually advises me to be like, XYZ, a girl whose life is all about studying and you can always spot her in the library during the free periods.  He often says, “You should learn something from XYZ. Such a bright student, she is. I am certain she’s going to get an A*”. I don't like it when he does that. I know he does this just to create a competition, but it seems like he’s mocking me and telling me that I am extremely dumb and do not deserve an A* at all. My point is that being a teacher, he shouldn’t show favoritism because it can discourage and hurt quite a lot of students. 

I hope I don’t sound like a person who has a problem with each and everything her teacher does. Obviously, he teaches quite well and that’s the reason why most of his students score an A grade. But I think he can make his class a little bit more interesting by overcoming the above mentioned issues.

Belle effet.

By: Hussaini Shan-e-Abbas

My love for Miss Carol

                                                     By: Javeria Rehan

Just a few days in the AS Level, a class awaits its GP dose of the day. Enters a short heighted teacher with a gesture of tranquility and a perfect smile on the face. Five minutes of her arrival, comes in the wandering, lousy bunch of friends with an excuse of rush at the canteen. Poor souls! Get to suffer the wrath of standing at the back of the class for the entire period or two. Then she takes a random look at the class and her lovely eyes find someone missing. "Absent or bunking?" shouts she to an otherwise dead class and boldly again. Then continues, "You can lie to me but not to yourself. God is looking. I'll find out anyways and make a call to his parents!" so that any saint attempting to save a bunking friend may die of absolute shame. Thereafter bunking her GP lecture remains an eternal dream. And so begins her class.

During every single lecture of her's, one wonders how she brings life out a subject as boring and unendurable as GP. From discussing current affairs to giving hints on examiner's quest of knowledge to making one memorize an entire book, she leaves no stone unturned in making one's GP paper worth a look. Amongst her most amazing and startling qualities is her individually catering to every single student. A model of moral values, she knows every student's weakness by heart and makes the fortunate spirit work on it day and night. In addition is her royal attribute of producing accomplished orators. So one naturally expects most of her classes to be full of heated debating sessions. The fondest of her GP memories is when she speaks, or tries to speak Urdu, in her utterly English style. Hilarious as it may seem, it makes us love her all the more!

So here's to Miss Carol Dsouza - your ultimate resort to General Paper specialization, if that, to you, truly matters!

The Discoveries. Episode I.

By

Syeda Ramsha Wasti & Ali Mehdi Zaidi

I am sitting at the counter, drinking tequila. Shot after shot. I have never tasted tequila before. People tell me its strong, I don’t see it. To tell you the truth, I don’t see the girl behind the counter. I don’t see the beautiful ceiling. I don’t see the magnificent furniture. I guess I am too lost. Too disappointed. No, no, not disappointed but destroyed. Yes that is the word: destroyed. Destroyed completely, blown to pieces. Every last ounce of hope shattered, thrown back in the jungle, left to be finished off by the vultures. Come vultures come. I don’t mind them coming. At least, I will not go to waste. At least someone would be happy. No, but I am happy too. Happy to be finished, happy for the end. There is no purpose to live so I wait. Wait for the axe to drop. Wait for the end. I am enjoying my tequila. Well, not enjoying but gulping and sipping. I take a sip and wait. Wait for the right time. As soon as it comes, I’ll pay the girl and walk to my home. But maybe I shouldn’t pay her. But what well would the money bring to me? I’ll pay her more. Maybe she has a child, maybe she is lucky. Who knows!? I’ll walk home to the peace, and quiet.

I still have a decision to make; one last decision. The most important decision. Well, not important, but the most defining one. One that sets my legacy. The gun in the drawer, the acid in the cabinet or a jump from the roof? I can’t decide. It’s so confusing. I think it’s the alcohol. Yes, it’s the alcohol. Take gun, load it, put it in your mouth, pull the trigger, boom - short and simple. I like it. No pain and no wait. I hate waiting. But there would be a mess, a splash of brain on the wall. Someone would have to clean it up. Who? Grab the acid, open the lid, drink it...ah, but there’s a wait. I don’t want to wait. Sorry acid, you’re unable to help. Don’t worry though; I know how you feel. That is all that I wanted to do as well: help. This is my punishment- the jump.  A long walk to the roof, then jump. It would be fast, but I am not in the mood to walk. No, not today. Today is my day, my holiday.

What does a jump show? It tells nothing. Maybe it was an accident. It puts everything in doubt. I don’t want any more doubts. No, no doubts, not about my, Sui…, Ah, I can’t say that word, A shot to the head, then. It shows intent. It would be my decision, my death. It’ll let the world know about my disappointments, my frustrations.

I am sitting at the counter, drinking tequila. I have made a decision- a shot to the head. I am gulping my tequila too fast now. The girl behind the counter is looking at me. Looking at me with a look of disgust, or maybe it's pity? Maybe she’s laughing at me? I don’t care. Laugh all you want, losers. Yes, you are all losers. I am the winner; the smart one. I found a way out, a short cut. While you wait for the miseries to slowly erode you, while you wait to get old and die helplessly, I have found a way. I will die my way on my terms. I am happy.

It’s my fifth shot now. I am seeing everything now including the girl behind the counter. Beautiful she is, but deceptive, very deceptive. The beauty is a mask for the horrors that lie beneath. It always is. Bait thrown by the prey, tempting, alluring, inviting, but as soon as you move in, the real face erupts out of the shadow to reveal the horrors. I don’t care anymore. I see the ceiling as well. It's glorious. The design and finishing are just breathtaking. I won’t miss it though. This is my final shot. Sixth, that is. As soon as I finish, I’ll head home for the finale of my life. I rotate the straw in a circular motion as if mixing, but there is nothing to mix. It seems the beautiful design that is forming is begging me not to do it, but alas, I will. Can’t you understand all is lost?

 I am sipping the last drops now. The liquid is unwilling to leave the glass, unwilling to let go of the embrace. It is making that noise-a cry I always thought about . A cry I choose to ignore. As the lost drops go down my throat and as I get up to leave, I feel a hand on my shoulder. A firm yet gentle hand followed by a whisper in my ear from an authoritative and determined voice; the kind you would expect from a four star general. “Don’t do what you’re about to do”. My first impulse is to run, to hit the man and run, run as far away as I can. I don’t know why, but I stay. What can possibly go wrong? The worst he can do is, kill me, in which case he’d be doing me a big favor. He can’t change my mind. No, not after what I’ve gone through. I turn around to look at the man. His countenance is divine. A man of no more than fifty, he has a white beard but he looks young and energetic. He has a spiritual presence, an almost therapeutic touch that only adds to his charm. Quite frankly, I am over-whelmed by his personality. “You’re closing the book too early”, he says.  He then stares in my eyes, probing, discovering. It seems as if he is reading my darkest secrets, my most inner thoughts. I want to turn away, to stop myself from being unlocked but I can’t. I can’t turn away. After ages, the man, as if satisfied by the proceeding s thus far, walks away.  

I am perplexed by this meeting with the stranger. Who is he? how did he know about my intents? Should I listen to him?

Smallville - Umair Ali (Prod . J.cole) Lyric Video

By 

Umair Ali

Pictures are indeed worth a thousand words.

By Salar Umar.

If you want to have a look at some of his other pictures, hit the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Salar-Umar-Photography/147812691919740
and
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Salar-Umar-Photography/147812691919740

"You don’t know"

                                        By Umaiya Rehman. 

           

There are words in my head

But I don’t know what to say

There are words on my lips

But they just won’t stay

It’s all jumbled up inside me

And I just can’t take it anymore.

‘Cause you don’t know what it feels like to be left behind

‘Cause you don’t know what it’s like to be left alone

You don't have to go through this everyday

You don’t know who I am.

Laying on my bed, staring at the ceiling

And the film rolling in my eyes

Hand in hand walking down the beaches

And picnics in the park

Angels in the snow, birds in the sky

And that was the day of our last goodbye.

And you don’t know what it feels like to be left behind

You don’t know what it takes to stand this way

And you don’t know what it feels like to be hollow

You don’t know what it’s like to live for a change.

Slammed the door shut and you walked out on me

And I can still hear you say that it was easy

And honestly I agree

‘Cause you don’t know what it feels like to be left behind

‘Cause you don’t know what it’s like to be left alone

You didn't have to go through this everyday

You never turned and looked my way.

‘Cause you don’t know what it feels like to be left behind

‘Cause you don’t know what it’s like to be left alone

You didn't have to go through this everyday

You don’t know who I am. 

Pictures 1.1

By 

Osama Khalil

To support and see more of his work, visit

Osama Khalil.

Great Work, Man.

• • The picture of the city at night is of Islamabad taken from a hill top restaurant in the Margalla hills known as monal. PS, I had to reduce the size. This picture is really beautiful

'Raindrops on my car's window' in Islamabad.

These pictures were taken at Islamabad. They somewhat depict how blind people see lights as we do. The pictures are of car headlights taken out of focus, and refered to as bokeh.

This doesn't in anyway promote "Sheeshas". Don't blame us.

These pictures were taken during a visit to the flood affected area of badin in the tharparkar desert. The picture of the girls was taken at a make shift school for the children of the flood affectees at a relief camp set up by the Pakistan army.