Vasandwali-Winning Entry of Short Story Writing Competition

Recently, Journalism Society held a Short Story Writing Competition, with the highlight being that the students had the liberty of choosing their own theme to write a story about. Good idea, no? Well, they received several excellent contributions and out of those five winning entries were announced.

The winners of Short Story Writing Competition (in no particular order):

Kiran Bhimani

Maheen Farooqui

Lubaina Ehsan

Rahim Rasool

Mahnoor Sohail

The Student Blog Team (SBT) contacted the Journalism Society and got the privilege to the publish the winning entries. Well, hold on to you seats as you read the short story written by Maheen Farooqui of A2S1.

 Vasandwali

Image Source: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzrprjMDVm1qkhropo1_500.jpg

Omar kicked his football along the muddy banks of a narrow river. It didn’t go far. The football was losing air quickly and was about to collapse. But he’d kick it around anyway because that was his only friend in his village, Vasandwali. Omar stared at the flooded rice fields across the river and sighed. Mosquitoes swarmed above the stagnant water. The flood had destroyed his crop, so food was scarce. He stared across the horizon and watched the sun set behind the rice fields. He reminisced the one time when he had been to the city, he loved the vibrancy of the metropolis but the shackles of bonded labor meant that he could never abandon his village.

A gentle poke in the back disturbed Omar’s thoughts. It was his sister, Marvi. “Please let me play”, she asked timidly looking at his football. “Girls don’t play football”, he sneered, “now go back to the kitchen where you belong and find something else to do.” With that Omar stalked off towards his cottage where he heard his father calling him.

“But I spent the entire morning doing chores!” he heard Marvi call from behind. Her voice was shaking and he could sense that she was near to tears. He was remorseless. Inside his cottage Omar found his father sitting beside his mum. “She’s getting worse”, his father said gravely, “none of the herbs are working and the baby might die. I am going to the outskirts to find medical aid.”

Omar’s father stood up and put his hands on his son’s shoulders. “Son, I don’t know how long I’ll be away. Take care of Marvi, be good to her, and protect her”, he said. And they began arrangements for the journey.

By evening Omar’s parent’s left for the outskirts where some flood relief camps were set up. Omar was in a bad mood, he was annoyed by the constant mosquitoes buzzing in his ear. All of a sudden he heard terrible screams coming from the river. He rushed towards it and saw Marvi being swept away by the furious waters. The river was too fast for him but luckily Marvi was able to cling on to a sturdy rock. Omar grabbed a large stick from the soil and held it out. Marvi grabbed on to it and soon was safe on the river banks.

“You stupid girl”, Omar yelled, “You could have died!”

“Oh brother, you saved me. I was so scared I thought I’d drown!” she shivered.

“Shut up! Do you know how much trouble I would be in if you died?” Omar stopped and looked around. 

His football was gone. He had left it right there earlier that day. He tried to control his indignation.

“Marvi, WHERE IS MY BALL?!” now Marvi shivered, not because of the cold.
“I… it... I... was... playing and it fell… it fell into the water”, she stammered.
Omar stormed in an uncontrollable outrage, “You lost my ball Marvi?! You pathetic fool! My ball it’s gone, it’s gone! I wish it had been you instead!” with such awful words Omar thrashed her. She wept silently all the while.

Several days had passed since his father’s departure and Marvi grew sick. When her coughing would not Seize, Omar began to worry. One morning he decided to apologize to her. He sat beside her and held her hand. She was red-hot. He observed her hand carefully, and whispered, “I’m sorry.” She turned towards him. He was staring at the bruises and mosquito bites on her arm. “My head aches” she said meekly. Looking at her sorry state Omar grew very pitiful. He gently massaged her head and quietly wept.

“Don’t cry”, she said. “I miss my ball”, he lied. Marvi managed a weak smile. She pointed to a bundle in the corner of the room. Omar walked towards it and uncovered his ball. “I went searching for it by the river yesterday. I knew how much it meant to you. I just wished it… it could have bonded us.” Saying that Marvi grew quiet and her breathing slowed. Omar hugged her, but when he let her go she fell back slowly and lay very still, eyes closed.

Omar stayed beside her body till nightfall when his family returned from the medical camps. His mother was too ill and his father too grieved to admonish him for his irresponsibility. Amidst the mourning Omar listened to the cries of the baby, his new baby sister. And he realized how lucky he was. Too often do people realize the true value of someone or something only after they lose it, but Omar was given a second chance. He stared into the wide eyed bundle which he now held in his arms and afforded a smile, realizing his blessing. He looked at her and whispered “I will protect you.”

Featured Pafians 1.4

'LUMUN IX' one of the most talked about event of 2012. Taking place at the LUMS Campus Lahore, the event proved to be a hub for many talented students from all over Pakistan. One of these many talented enthusiasts were Mister Khushhal Nadir Hadi, Mister Moaaz Sidat and Mister Usman Baig, representing NEPAL at their respective committees.

Khushhal Nadir and Moaaz Sidat, our very own Public Speaking Society Heads, battled their way through the ups and downs at LUMUN IX as double delegates at DISEC. Yes, even the mention of this committee gives you never-ending goosebumps. And, guess what? They won 'Best Delegate' awards at DISEC LUMUN IX.

Usman Baig, the AS student who has not only proven himself capable at various other events but also made his dream of winning at LUMUN IX become true. This fellow won an Honourable Mention at WHO LUMUN IX. Yes, heard about the committee that had a crisis related to genetic mutation? It was WHO folks, and Usman Baig was there!

Congratulations! You guys are the pioneers for bringing home LUMUN IX awards. Keep making PAF Chapter A levels proud :)

Here's their side of the story; the journey of Khushhal, Moaaz and Usman at LUMUN IX.

Interviewee: Moaaz Sidat

Interviewer: Maheen Farooqui

Moaaz Sidat :D

1. Let’s start from the train ride where the journey started. What will remain as the most unforgettable ‘train journey memory’?
Undoubtedly the 2-on-2 Parliamentary debates that took place against 2 members of the Szabist team behind closed doors; due to the amount of crude humour involved in the debate ;)

2. There’s this popular quote ' Lahore, Lahore hai'. What do you have to say about the city?
Karachi, Karachi hai. No place like home. ^_^

3. LUMS-a place many students all over the country aspire to go to. Tell us about it.
After 5 days of running around LUMS, I will surely recommend LUMS to all those wanting to pursue higher studies in Pakistan.

4. LUMUN IX! How did it feel to be a part of the toughest and most prestigious MUN in Pakistan?
It was something I was anticipating for quite some time. Taking into consideration the involvement of various factors, it was indeed the toughest I’ve ever been to. The overall experience was exhilarating!

5. How would you best describe your nervousness at LUMUN IX?
There was only one point at which I was extremely nervous, and that was right before the award ceremony.

6. Describe DISEC at LUMUN IX in three words.
Challenging. Intimidating. Frustrating.

7. Best delegate at LUMUN is a dream for even the most adept of MUN-ers, how did you feel the moment it was announced that the coveted award was yours?
It was one of the few occasions at which I’ve lost control of my emotions. :)

8. Last but not least, your secret to success?
When I take up a task, I work with utmost dedication, put in all my efforts and leave the results to the Almighty with the belief that whatever He does is for the best.

9. Oh and this one is for all the food lovers reading your interview. What was the best food you had during your stay at Lahore?
LUMS kay Khokay ka Zinger! ^_^

10. This is an open question. You may skip this one or you may write an answer regarding absolutely anything that you want to. (Related to your LUMUN IX journey, of course)
Nothing’s better than a double delegate experience with Khushhal Nadir Hadi as your ‘partner in crime’.
I would like to thank each and every member (some, a bit more than others xP ) of the 21-member (Ms.Bushra included ^_^), along with all well-wishers from PAF Chapter (especially Ms. Shireen and Ms. Naureen) for their continuous and undying support. Thank you all. 

Interviewee: Khushhal Nadir Hadi

Interviewer: Minahil Malik

Khushhal Nadir Hadi at PAFMUN 2012 :D

1.     Let’s start from the train ride where the journey started. What will remain as the most unforgettable ‘train journey memory’?

Well, unfortunately, I could not be with the team when they left for Lahore, since I’d already left a few days before to ‘explore’ Lahore with my family. Nevertheless, the ride back home was THE BEST experience I’ve ever had. I will not forget the debates we had in our compartments, but the real thriller was probably staying up till 5 am and applying mascara and lip-gloss on our team members. Hats off to Usman Baig there; we managed to cover his entire face with ‘graffiti’ and were on our way down to his arms before he stirred! And of course, singing like crazy when the clock struck 12, just because it was 2013!! =D

2.     There’s this popular quote ' Lahore, Lahore hai'. What do you have to say about the city?

The city? Not so much, other than the amazing FOG. One was invisible in plain sight (Yeah, I had trouble figuring that out before I came to Lahore too). And the people; I love the Lahawri accent!

One thing good about Lahore in general was probably it’s greenery; it IS green and nice. Lahore waaqi me Lahore hi hai!

3.     LUMS-a place many students all over the country aspire to go to. Tell us about it.

LUMS is simply amazing! If it offered any courses in MBBS, I would NOT hesitate to go there! The amazing layout, the litter-free lawns, the picturesque window seats (very romantic too, but that’s another story ;) ), the creepers on the walls and having Dr. Pervez Hoodhboy dine with you in the PDC building; simply sensational! Oh, and don’t forget to try out the zinger burger at the ‘khoka’!

4.      LUMUN IX! How did it feel to be a part of the toughest and most prestigious MUN in Pakistan?

Honestly speaking, LUMUN might be slightly over-rated. The circuit we have here in Karachi with respect to MUNs, where your committee directors constantly keep cross-questioning you, ensures that delegates are well-researched and raises the level of debate here. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising to see a fair bit of awards go to the Karachi delegates. But there’s no doubt about the fact that LUMUN has been the running in Pakistan since many years, with TEN committee sessions, and with delegates from all over Pakistan, it was an intense and fascinating experience nonetheless.

5.     How would you best describe your nervousness at LUMUN IX? 

After so many MUNs, as weird as it may sound (and I am NOT making this up), I no longer feel nervous when the actual debate begins in an MUN. what was different at LUMUN was the fact that it was my first MUN as an outstation delegate; the real challenge therefore was waking up in that freezing weather, donning formal garb and making sure I had that much-needed cup of coffee before I rushed to the committee room with Moaaz, my co-delegate/brother/partner (yes, theres a lot in there *wink wink*). So I spent more time worrying about how to wake up and what to wear, rather than about what I would actually debate about in the committee session.

6.     Describe DISEC at LUMUN IX in three words.

Intense. Fun. And Perverted (And I’m sure that’s how our PAF Chapter LUMUN Team will ACTUALLY remember it as being)

7.     Best delegate in LUMUN is a dream for even the most adept of MUN-ers, how did you feel the moment it was announced that the coveted award was yours?

Relieved? Surprised? Ecstatic? I don’t really know how I felt. It was pretty… confusing. My friends say that I went red in the face and had eyes the size of golf balls, if that helps, but personally I think I was probably teetering between relief and extreme happiness, with an element of surprise thrown in.

8.     Last but not least, your secret to success?

Pre-preparedness. That was the KEY to winning this award. The amount of time both Moaaz and I put into our Research Reviews, and then sitting together working on our research before actually going to Lahore was what completely soothed our nerves before we actually started with our committee sessions. Also, never shying away from chances to speak up and utilizing those chances effectively along with a superb informal lobbying strategy helped us a lot too.

9.     Oh and this one is for all the food lovers reading your interview. What was the best food you had during your stay at Lahore?

Well. If you’re talking about LUMS, the Pizza and zinger at the ‘khoka’ are probably the best you can have cheap. The food we had at the Shahi Qilla food street was amazing too, where the palak paneer was so tantalizingly DELICIOUS, it literally melted in our mouths!

10.  This is an open question. You may skip this one or you may write an answer regarding absolutely anything that you want to. (Related to your LUMUN IX journey, of course)

A lot happened over the course of our trip. If I started narrating all of it, you would all express varying reactions ranging from disgust and shock to envy and maniacal laughter. So with regards to what exactly ‘happened’ in Lahore over the course of our trip, I can only reply with what the City School PAF Chapter LUMUN IX Team agreed on unanimously: “What happens in Lahore stays in Lahore.” Cheers! ;)

Interviewee: Usman Baig

Interviewer: Lubaina Ehsan

Usman Baig :D

1. Let’s start from the train ride where the journey started. What will remain as the most unforgettable ‘train journey memory’?
The train journey was spectacular. It was an absolutely adverse experience then what I initially expected. The way everyone enjoyed every moment of it partying, talking to each other and what not; was amazing. The most unforgettable train journey memory will be the one when we sang silly songs on New Year’s Eve while we were on the train and said ‘Happy New Year’ to each and every one in the train compartment.  

2. There’s this popular quote ' Lahore, Lahore hai'. What do you have to say about the city?
It is a beautiful city, I must say. The weather, the atmosphere, the historic architecture, the heritage sites were truly eye-catching and mesmerizing. The people were humble and welcoming, but then again, without being biased, nothing beats Karachi.

3. LUMS-a place many students all over the country aspire to go to. Tell us about it.
LUMS is a world in itself. When you are in LUMS, you don’t wish to go anywhere else. There is each and every facility provided to you over there, from hi-tech labs to top notch classes and splendid cafeterias, it comprises of everything you aspire to become an independent and complete individual. It is made on a wide area base, with outstanding grounds, comfortable hostels and astounding atmosphere, which comprises of its greenery and environment. And of course, security is an aspect whose credibility must not even be questioned. All in all, it is an amazing place to be at.

4. LUMUN IX! How did it feel to be a part of the toughest and most prestigious MUN in Pakistan?
 Honestly, it was like a dream come true. A dream which every debater, specifically every MUN-er dreams of. I never expected myself to be a part of the LUMUN team from my school, because of the fact that LUMUN is nothing but amazing and the participants over there are also none but the best.

5. How would you best describe your nervousness at LUMUN IX?
 Have you ever noticed dinosaurs jumping in your stomach instead of butterflies? That’s how nervous I was. Well, putting jokes aside, I was nervous yet confident at the same time, trusting in my abilities and all the training which was given to me by my seniors. It doesn’t get any better than LUMUN, and it’s just the confidence which you need to overcome your nervousness and fear and that’s exactly what I did which ultimately gave a positive result. 

6. Describe WHO at LUMUN IX in three words.
 Enthralling, Educating, Fair.

7. Winning an award at LUMUN is a dream for even the most adept of MUN-ers, how did you feel the moment it was announced that the coveted award was yours?
 It felt like the floor started shaking and my hands automatically went up in the air with me jumping off the seat and shouting “Yes, I did it. Thank you God.”
 It was a feeling which words can’t describe and I can’t thank God enough for considering me legible enough for that noble award and paying me for my hard work. It was an incredible moment indeed.

8. Last but not least, your secret to success?
 The secret to success is actually not a secret; rather it’s an open recipe which people mostly fail to realize and copy. The only thing I did was work hard, and I worked and researched until I reached the point where I was able to convince myself upon the fact that yes, now I am absolutely ready.
There are no shortcuts to success. I did what I had to, worked day and night, kept my research as my basic priority, enjoyed the debating and took all of it as a healthy contest rather than a game of life and death, and I think that’s what made me meet my destination.

9. Oh and this one is for all the food lovers reading your interview. What was the best food you had during your stay at Lahore?
 Oh well, I always knew this was coming. Every food which I had throughout my trip was amazing, because as they say, everything seems delicious when you’re hungry, and that was mostly the case with us when we had spent the whole day debating and socializing. But yes, the food which we had on our last night of Lahore at the Food Street (most of the food over there) was quite scrumptious and delicious. 

And here's the Student Blog, signing out :)

1

New Term, New Beginnings

Mahrukh Mohsin
A1S1

Let's light up the sky with Fireworks to welcome the new term, shall we?

Alrighty then, Hello Pafians!

Welcome back to school. Now, I could go on about the scary things this term has to offer; be it the absolutely lovely mid-term results, the build up towards the mocks or the fact that the dreaded CIE exams are just a few months away. Tick, tock, tick, tock... 

No, don't worry. I'm not here to play with your brain and ruin your day. Let's talk about the things we all are looking forward to! 

Well, first up A2s enjoy those AWESOME hoodies (Courtesy: Syed Zohaib Ahmed and Moaaz Sidat. Design ours too next year, maybe? ^_^) while us AS twerps just stare with awe (read: hatred) and suddenly our ugly sweaters start to seem ten times more ugly. But seeing them all I can think about is how we would be able to top them next year. Any creative people in AS? You have your work cut out for you. 

February. Only one thing comes to mind. Yes, you got it. The event of the year. The one we've all been talking about. Anticipating. Waiting. Anxiously. This one deserves capital letters: PAFMUN '13. From the big wigs to the volunteers, everyone must be equally excited for this one. After all, it isn't every day you get to play your part in event as big as this. Hundreds of kids, tons of jobs to do. So many things we need to get right. And so many expectations we have to uphold. Days of sheer exhilaration and excitement are coming up, boy and girls! The one time when you'll go home tired and elated all at the same time. Let's make PAFMUN '13 an event to remember. For them and for us!

Coming over to one most important thing that I, personally, CAN NOT wait for. The beach trip! Yeah yeah, we've all been there. Numerous times. But this... THIS will be different. The beach, Pafians all around, familiar faces and friends galore. Sandcastles and buried chumps. Ahh, just one day that'll definitely be indented in our memories forever. Well, the A2s have already had this experience once but let's face it, they haven't had with people as awesome as us AS, eh? I confess, I have already made future plans about how I will spend that day. Let's hope, for all of us, it lives up to my expectations and all I have written doesn't come back to haunt me. 

Alright, well honestly as much as I try I can't skip this part. I'm sorry, you may burn me for this later. But lastly, the CIEs. DUMDUMDUM. I'm going to make this one short for obvious reasons. Yes, you're welcome. Study hard, solve them past papers like there's no tomorrow, revise and finally ACE THAT FILTHY LITTLE PIPSQUEAK WE CALL AN EXAM. 

So, looking forward to an amazing term with all of you. Let's make it even better than the first, eh guys? :D

Life Of An A2

Aimen Nadeem
A2C1

 
Hola readers,

Ah, I've missed jotting down a bunch of mixed emotions down on a very poorly equipped, however the-only-writing-tool-available i.e the Wordpad in my laptop because clearly I am too lazy to upgrade my Microsoft Office. 

Ummm... Why did I just substantiate my indolent nature on a public platform? Oh yes, that's because today I write about the life of an A2 student. Yes, it's not my indolent nature neither am I a listless person, but the fact that my life has been clustered by so much work that I possibly can not take time out to get a decent writing tool on my laptop which I desperately need. Sad story? No, the sad story is when my mom keeps yelling at me for not making up my bed in the morning because I crave for that oh so satisfying 5-minute-more sleep. Who wants a peace of mind from their mom at 6.15 am in the morning. So yeah, that's a sad story. But the thing is my life is so heavily equipped that I can't help but be this lousy person whom I don't want to be. (Note: when I say "MY life" I'm speaking from behalf of all my fellow A2's, all of them who can relate).

So, life of an A2 student? Oh yeah, we be the seniors, party mode on? Eh, eh eh. NO! One starts working since the first week of August. One enters the class and without even an intro, one starts working. Oh so much work. Then one waits for the most dreaded moment, the CIE result. Oh great, some be so happy and cheery about it, while others cries down a river. One then comply his/her self with meeting the deadlines and the submissions of the retake requirements. Regardless of the result and the study pressure which keeps boiling, the hectic life continues for one struggle to get him/her self a post as the student council body. Yaaay, one wins it hands down (Hi Aliasgher ^_^, the deputy head boy, a friend I campaigned with), while one doesn't (That's me, right here -_-), but that's not the point. The struggle and the effort it took is so Magnum that one feels "Oh I've already done so much". 

Sigh. 

Moving on, one then starts to apply to these universities. Oh those never ending requirements of those prestigious universities. The reign of SATs and IELTS, TOEFL etc begins! Writing those extremely lengthy, cheesy notes about one's self known as the 'Personal Statement', comes up next (which I should be writing instead of this piece). One writes, gets their certificates attested, those passport size hideous looking photos, those MUCH NEEDED recommendations from our beloved teachers, preparation for the entry tests goes on, LCAT, GMAT and what not. Oh dear Lord! One is still giving up on sleep to catch up on those UCAS app's deadline when the schedule for midterms is put up on the notice board. Yeah, life's EVEN exciting now, isn't it?! One starts to work hard for midterms because one needs to send the midterm result to those universities one is applying to. One finally gets over with it, but nah, the struggle still continues.

Yes.. The struggle's continuing. One also needs to keep up with the extracurricular activities going on, the MUN's, those arduous parliamentary debates and these other external grand events which one DEFINITELY doesn't want to lose out on participating like LUMUN, Psi-fi, CARMA and oh let's not forget, the opportunity awarded of being a proud member of the PAFMUN organizing committee, one DOES NOT want to let that go. And the professional tasks?! That's not all that keeps one occupied to the bottle neck, but those conspiracies, the gossips, those Facebook drama just adds to it. The stress load keeps rising while WE'RE STILL THE SAME. And this is just till the moment I am writing in, THERE'S SO MUCH MORE OF CRUCIFIXION TO COME. >___<

And I'm saying all this even though I'm not much of a happening figure in PAF Chapter A-levels, yet my life seems so miserable, God bless folks like Sirjee Moaaz Sidat. :O 

But you know readers, something that I've been able to spare a thought over is the fact that, it's January, and as I look ahead, I have barely three months left to kiss my PAF Chapter and its walls goodbye (yes, my never ending love for walls).. 

Three months left to let go off all of it. The responsibility, the carelessness, the hectic routine, those two minute gaps between the lectures, the canteen's overly expensive fries, the golden brown cat near the canteen Faisal (I NAMED HIM THAT, STOP TAKING CREDIT FOR IT PEOPLE) and all the insanity that Chapter contains. Life's extremely tough and brutal right now, and yes, it does go out of hand, drives you into being a lunatic and you just wants to rip your hair off for the work load is so heart-swelling and unsettling, but you know something? There you will be, sitting somewhere someplace in the mid of July, thinking back to this day and the craziness this moment contains, dwelling over that SOMEHOW you could still go back to it. And you just won't be able to and hence the psyched atmosphere seems frivolous to all that we're about to lose. I see myself there in the future, watching TV and somewhere thinking I wish I could relive all of that hyped up mess again. 

Surely, life of an A2 doesn't let you spare a minute or two to even look neat, it is maddening, but it's worth it. Hence, this is to my lovely juniors asking them to make the most of their time in AS because you won't realize how time would slip away whilst accomplishing all those above mentioned tasks and that all you will be left with would be three months to an end of a beautiful journey just like I'm drooling over it. This is to my A2 fellows for I just want to say let's seize the day my pals to the last three months that we've got and to all the upcoming challenges, the driving force, and the brink of next-level madness that's to come. 

Cheers.

Let the bygones be, lets make the most of the time we have left at CHAPTER! :D