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"Two roads diverged in a wood,and I-
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference..
- Robert Frost ( The road not taken)
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CONVENTION HALL, HOTEL BLUE RAY, DUBAI, U.A.E
" And today on this auspicious occasion we are proud to honor Dr. Saira Abdul Azeez with the first ever YOUTH OF THE YEAR award...."
Saira watched the people cheering as the next words of the anchor got submerged in the applause. She had that proud smile on her face. Standing up from her seat she received the award from the Union minister of Human resource, Dr. Hafiza Binth Al Fouzan. The applause got louder as Saira smiled at the people in front of her. She could see many familiar faces among them, faces of people whom she has saved from giving up on themselves. The convention hall fell into silence once she walked towards the speech stand handing the memento to her P.A. She had no written speech in her hand and she is not someone who needs it. Her eyes raked over the hundreds of faces watching her expectantly.
" Assalamu Alaikum everyone, first of all, Alhamdulillah, all praises is to the one- the most exalted. "
People watched her as if they are noting down in their mind every word she says. They knew whatever she says comes from her heart and there is magic in it - her words could heal their hearts.
" This is the day I've been dreaming for a long time. Not to be an award owner, but to be recognized among people as someone they could rely upon. I thank almighty for this day, for making me the person I'm today. I don't know whether you are expecting a thank you speech from me. But more than saying a thank you, I want to give all of you a message. Why because, Sometimes it's those unexpected messages that changes our life."
The union minister shook her head as a yes for what Saira said. It was pin drop silence in the hall that many guests in the stage wondered what is so special about the words this woman says that the people wanted to hear them so much. For them, this woman is someone who is lucky to be selected for the first ever YOUTH OF THE YEAR award among the thousands in the country. But the few members of the jury who voted her had proud smiles on their faces when they watched her speaking to the mass.
" We all are humans, and we all are fighting battles that no one else is aware of. We all have sorrows we are trying hard to forget, problems we want to get solved, and wounds to be healed. And some people are so strong that they win their battles alone. But most of us, most of us.. are not so strong as they are.. Am I right or not..?"
She asked to the people who are listening to her carefully. They all answered her 'you are right' in unison as if they were just stating a fact. She smiled at them.
" But we all could be strong as they are,. Sometimes, when life knocks us down, we feel like it's our fault. Thoughts like we are unlucky, we don't deserve happiness and many more similar begins to haunt our minds. Where in fact, life is testing our willpower. Trials come and they may sometimes hurt us, crush us or break us. But it's up to each one of us to give up or not. I'm so sad to say you the truth that many give up by ending themselves, thinking there is no other solution for the problem they are facing, that they couldn't be okay again. Let me tell you, I have talked with a lot of people who tried to end themselves but failed miserably. The only sorrow I have is that I couldn't stop all those out there who thinks giving up is the only option, though I'm trying very hard to help everyone around.."
Her voice faltered when she said that. Memories of people whom she wished she could save came rushing to her mind. Since that dreadened day in her life, saving people from giving upon their life was one of her soul aims. She knew how much one has to be hurt to try to end themselves. Her voice held pain when she continued speaking.
" Dears, I don't blame you if you have ever tried to end yourself. Nobody can blame you. Sometimes everyone will begin to think of ending everything when the pain is too much to bear. Nobody has ever understood how human mind works. Though we feel we are hundred percent positive, we may feel so bad about ourselves other times. Many of us may have tried, or even thought about giving up. And we later regret it and start to believe we are bad. Remember, a mistake doesn't make us a bad person. It will only build us up..."
Everyone had a faint smile on their faces hearing it. Everyone make mistakes and they end up thinking they are bad because they have tried to do it. People want to hear nice things about them though they won't say it to themselves. And what Saira has just said is something many of them wish to hear.
" To all those who are hearing me right now, just know, you're not alone. There are thousands who are going through the same phase you're in. We all are warriors and warriors are strong. They won't give up until they win. And if you ever feel like you couldn't take it anymore, that you can't fight the battle all yourself, that you are not strong enough, come to me. I'll be here for you. I'll stand by your side when you fight your worst battles. I'll cheer you up when you win. Never ever think you are alone and you are weak. Each one of you is stronger than anything else in the world. I wish all of you good luck. I thank each of you for the love and care you have given to me. Thank you so much.. Shukran Jazeelan.."
She smiled as the people stood up to give her a standing ovation. The guests in the stage who have realized how magical her words are, stood up from their seats to congratulate her. She thanked all of them again and excused herself from the upcoming programs. Saira walked out of the hall with her P.A by her side.
" That was... just.. Superb.."
Diana, her P.A, exclaimed once they were in the hallway out walking towards the elevator. Saira looked at her with a smile and raised one of her brows as if asking her 'really'.
" Really.. you just.. how could I say that.. filled the hall with such an energy... you are the best Saira.. love you...."
" I know girl.. I was always the best one for me.."
Saira winked at her and got in the elevator which has opened for them. Getting in the elevator they realized they are the only people inside as the convention hall was on the top floor of the hotel.
" Oh.. I see.. self praising.. by the way, there is someone waiting for you in the lobby..."
Saira paused from pressing the ground floor button. She turned around and looked quizzically at Diana, who had a playful smile on her face.
" Someone waiting for me?.. in the lobby?.. Who is that...?"
" Yep.. someone from ' THE STAR'..."
Diana answered her making a gesture of writing 'the star 'in the air .
" Oh.. To take an interview, I suppose.."
Saira smiled as she pressed the button that takes them to the ground floor and leaned back on the wall of the elevator crossing her hands over her chest. THE STAR is the no.1 magazine circulated around the country. Their interview team has approached Saira a number of times before, asking for her interview. But every time, she send them off saying there are people greater than her whom they can interview. For Saira, she was just a normal psychologist who help people solve their problems. But for the people, she was a savior even though she never accepted that.
" Yes.. they want to hear the story of the great savior, and as a matter of fact, everyone out there wants to.."
Diana's face had an expression as if she was just saying something Saira know very well. People always asked her about her past but she has never answered any one of those questions. She haven't told anyone how she has become the person she is right now, not even to her trusted P.A. And that made her more mysterious before them. She couldn't blame them. Everyone who has achieved greatness has a past that nobody will be aware of. And she too has - a story of pain, heartbreak and finding herself.
" They had almost deafened my ears last night calling me every five minutes asking whether they could interview you. And You know I was so fed up that I finally said yes and told them to come today..."
" You did what..?"
Saira's eyes widened hearing her. Diana shifted her gaze to the flickering light on the roof of the elevator.
" Well, you were avoiding them for a long time. it's time you give them a talk. Saying things won't hurt you.. you know.."
Saira rolled her eyes at Diana.
" That's my line.. don't use it against me.."
" So, please.. Saira. Your life is already inspiring people out there, whatif your story inspires them more..?"
Diana looked expectantly at her. Every time she says this, Saira will find an excuse.
" No excuses this time, please.."
Diana told her before she could come up with one.
" Well then,.. I'm not going to disappoint all of you this time.."
A smile found it's way into Saira's lips when Diana squealed and hugged her as they descended together to the ground floor where two of the journalists from 'THE STAR' were waiting for the 'YOUTH OF THE YEAR'.
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Finally, the first chapter is out.. sooooo happy....🤩🤩🤩
I hope you all liked it.. and a big thankyou for giving it a chance..😍😍😘
Do plz drop your comments..😊

