In the flourishing town of Umar's upbringing, where the days flowed like a gentle river, his aspirations had always been simple yet profound. He longed for success, not just for himself, but to lift his family from the shackles of hardship. Umar's heart was filled with a burning desire to bring prosperity to his home.

One fateful morning, as the sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, Umar embarked on a journey that would change his life forever. Determination etched on his face, he left home without tending to his appearance, uttering a heartfelt farewell to his beloved mother in their native tongue. "Mama bei naerai," he whispered.

His mother, responded with a prayer, "near kormak khudayas Hawali," asking the Almighty to guide her son's path.

Atiqa watched him with an unwavering gaze. She didn't blink an eye until Umar disappeared into the bustling streets, heading towards the examination centre. To Umar, this wasn't just any exam; it was a promise made to his father, a salve on his bruised shoulders, He had vowed to succeed this time or take on any manual labour to support his family. With resolve in his heart, Umar arrived at the examination centre promptly at ten o'clock. After finding his seat on the seating arrangement list, he sat down and began to pray fervently. "Khudaya wen gacxhi asun paper asil, khudaya wenn kerzi Abraham," he murmured, asking for divine assistance.

As the invigilator checked his pockets, Umar's heart raced. After what felt like an eternity, the exam papers were finally distributed. Umar meticulously filled in his particulars, double-checking everything, and then started reading the paper. To his relief, the questions seemed manageable, and he proceeded to complete the exam with determination.

Returning home, Umar faced his father's eager inquiry about the paper. With a hopeful smile, he replied, "Asil, inshallah gachi emlatti selection." His father, overjoyed, embraced him and said, "Near the know."

Umar resumed his teaching duties, but his mind was consumed by thoughts of the impending results. Three long months passed, and then one day, his friend Saqib called with jubilation. "Mubarak jinab!" Saqib exclaimed. Umar, puzzled, asked for the reason behind the congratulations. Saqib revealed the astonishing news, "Cxe ha chuk godniken 100 manz. "

Umar couldn't believe his ears and asked Saqib to send him the list. Trembling with anticipation, Umar checked and rushed into the kitchen to share the joyful news with his parents. "Mami papa mubarak bei guwas select," he exclaimed. His mother's eyes welled with tears as she thanked the Almighty and kissed Umar's forehead. In celebration, Papa brought a chicken as a token of joy for the family.

The days that followed were filled with laughter and happiness as the family savoured the taste of success. Umar embraced his role as a teacher with renewed vigour and began dreaming of a better life. He envisioned building a comfortable house, retiring his father from strenuous work, sending his parents on a pilgrimage to Hajj, and living a life of contentment.

However, destiny had one final twist. a shadow of despair fell upon Hamid's life. News reached him that a court case had been filed, alleging irregularities in the exam, and the recruitment process was under scrutiny. It felt like a thunderbolt from heaven, shattering his dreams into a million pieces. He stood frozen for a moment, grappling with the harsh reality.

Weeks turned into a month, and finally, the court announced its verdict. The agency was ordered to conduct the exam once again. All the hope dwindled in Umar's heart. He found himself wondering how he would break the news to his father, whose expectations and dreams were now hanging by a thread. Lost in his thoughts, Umar found himself walking over the bridge and in a moment of desperation, unable to bear the weight of uncertainty and despair, Umar made a fateful decision. He walked to the edge of the bridge overlooking the Jehlum River. In the blink of an eye, he jumped into the water, surrendering to the depths below.

In the inexorable embrace of the Jehlum River, Umar found his existence dissolved, marking a somber denouement to life once pulsating with dreams and aspirations. The cosmic jest lay in the tragic punctuation of a voyage that commenced with hope, affection, and an unyielding yearning to steer the trajectory of his family's fate.

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