Saira’s journey started when she was in kindergarten. One of the first things she accomplished at that young age was winning a drawing contest. She was really happy and excited when she heard her name announced as the winner. That’s when she felt like her journey had truly begun. Later, in fifth grade, she got chosen to be part of her school’s sports team and she even earned the title of the best player.

Saira knew she could do a lot, and she felt like she had the power to change the world. But when she was 12, something really sad happened. Her father, who had always been like a superhero for her, was not with her anymore. This left Saira in a terrible shock.

Her dad had a kind face that always lit up for Saira, a voice that spoke up for her and eyes that watched over her. His hands were always there to help Saira, and his legs worked hard in the struggle to support her. Imagine losing all of that at such a young age. The arms that used to comfort Saira were gone forever. These thoughts and feelings made Saira very scared and sad. She cried and screamed out loud for her father. But sadly, he couldn’t hear her.

Feeling down and not interested in life, days turned into months, and things were getting worse. One night, while lying in bed, she remembered how much her father wanted her to become a lawyer. He used to pray for her success and always encouraged her to study hard. That night, she made up her mind to live her father’s dream. He wished to see her as a successful lawyer, fighting for people’s rights in court.

Saira had a natural talent for speaking and debating; she would never stay quiet when it came to justice. So, she started studying hard. Even though many challenges came her way, she faced them all with determination and didn’t give up. After successfully taking the intermediate degree, Saira applied to one of the most recognised universities to study law.

There was no support. It was a tough struggle, but every time she thought about her father’s dream, it gave her the strength to keep going. Some people tried to bring her down, saying that only those with support and from a rich background could succeed in getting a degree from a good university. They believed that those without any influential backing could never make it. But Saira didn’t let these discouragements stop her; instead, she used them as fuel to start afresh and prove everyone wrong.

After successfully earning a law degree, Saira became a successful lawyer, always doing her job with honesty, just like her father had taught her. People now respected and admired her because she always stood up for what was true and right. This became her mission in life, and it also drew a positive spotlight on her.

Every night, before going to sleep, she would remind herself that in the real world, many doors might close on us, but if we learn from our mistakes and stay determined, we can achieve big things. When she woke up, there were always a few tears in her eyes as she remembered the one person who played a huge role in everything she was — her father, the one who started her life story. Even though her father was far away, his memories kept her strong. She cried because he couldn’t be there to pat her on the back and hug her for her achievements.

She never forgot him. And how could she! All she was today was because of him and his love.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 6th, 2024