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Contents NOTE FROM THE EDITOR TOP NEWS TOP MUSIC SOCIAL ISSUES: MISOGYNY A GUIDE TO REPEATING OUTFITS SEAMLESSLY YOUR LOCAL RESTURAUNTS GUIDE THEATRE IMPACT SANDSTORM TEENAGE STRUGGLES THAT’S WHEN THE COLORS FADED K-DRAMAS DYING ROSES THE SMELL OF FREEDOM OVARIAN CANCER AND I, I FORGET STUDENT ELECTIONS I’D BE DEAD THE EYES WHEN HER HEART REPLIED DECEIT TUM PHIR LOT AAO NA ARTIST’S GALLERY

Editor's Note With “Finals” creeping upon us students with a rate faster than we can process, Afsanay brings to your screens its second edition, so that you can take a productive break from all the stress and anxiety. As always it has been our utmost priority to be inclusive, informative and entertaining so that each and every one of you can find their niche within this safe-space that we call Afsanay. Here I’d like to add a piece of advice for all my fellow youngsters who are working their butts off to achieve one thing or another; YOU GOT THIS! You’ve come too far to give up now and we are proud of everything you’ve achieved and your hard work. Do not, and I repeat, do not let anyone tell you otherwise. And coming towards the end a very important issue that needs to be addressed. At Afsanay “Originality” is the pillar of its foundation. All our writers and artists work extremely hard to produce fresh content that our audience likes to read. Implying that Afsanay is plagiarizing or accusing us of stealing someone’s “intellectual property” is not only morally wrong but also a very disheartening move on anyone’s part. We are here to foster harmony and healthy competition and we hope that it remains the same way. I wish all of you the very best of luck! Yours Truly, Hammayl Shammas

TOP NEWS Hammayl Shammas RUSSO-UKRANIAN WAR S taying informed can be hard especially as a teenager with workload piling up and let’s face it a lot of us do not take interest in the global affairs. But here at AFSANAY we realize the importance of being up to date in today’s rapidly evolving world. And so to make it easier for our readers to keep up with the pace we have picked five continuously unfolding stories that we believe everyone should follow-up with. The Russo-Ukrainian war has been an AFGHAN CRISIS ongoing conflict since 2014 that has led to approximately While talking about global headlines we surely cannot ignore the 23000 causalities and left 10 million unravelling series of events that have, after 20 years, led to the return of people internally displaced. Although the questionably the “Taliban 2.0”. Since their return to power in August conflict has been 2021, questions have rose about the legitimacy of the new regime as well on-going for quite some time now as fingers being pointed at the USA for fighting a war which evidently Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24th brought more catastrophe than stability and growth. As of now the February officially started what some call world is closely examining every move that the Taliban are making and the potential WW3 If you want to learn hopefully waiting for some degree of development and change within more about the history as well as the the war-torn country. But recent events such as the Biden recent developments in the conflict, visit administration’s signing of “an executive order creating the possibility the Global Conflict Tracker at: of splitting $7bn in frozen Afghan funds held in the US, potentially www.cfr.org allotting half for humanitarian aid to the country while keeping the other half available for possible seizure by victims of the September 11 GLOBAL WARMING attacks.”, has made the international community skeptical and rightfully so, about the injustices being carried out against the Afghan population. The global climate crisis has been Which side of the conflict you choose to be on cannot be decided by dramatically surging and breaking all reading biased views of different organizations, but has to be developed records. As responsible citizens on individual levels. If you’re looking for a place to follow-up with the educating ourselves about the events taking place in the country visit: problem is the least we can do. To https://www.vice.com/en/topic/afghanistan clearly understand the extent of the problem we can look into cases such as those of Switzerland and Italy where natural border demarcations through glaciers are melting away. Moreover, 2021 was the hottest year on record for the world’s oceans. If we plan on saving humankind from a disastrous ending, awareness is the first step.

PERSEVERANCE ROVER INFLATION Undoubtedly the Perseverance Rover has been making quite some noise ever We have seen empires upon empires falling as a result of an since the economic crisis, namely, \"inflation”. A disease that plagues us operation launched in 2021. It is all at a rate higher than the world disrupting pandemic, Covid- definitely a significant milestone 19. It is interesting to notice that only over the past year overall achieved for all of humanity and food prices have increased by up to an alarming 28.1%, which is opened up a vast range of new more than what we have seen over the past decade. Inflation is possibilities to be explored. 18th no longer a problem faced by individual countries and its February 2022 marked the first promptly increasing pace makes one ponder over the direction anniversary of projects landing on Mars in which the global economy is headed. For more details visit: and to celebrate NASA Mars https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/world-food-prices- Exploration Program planned a series hit-10-year- of in-person as well as virtual events peak-2021-2022-01-06/ throughout March 2022 to help people learn more about the project itself! The TOP MUSIC full timeline of the events can be accessed at www.mars.nasa.gov GO THIS SONG BY ATIF ASLAM AND ABDULLAH SIDDIQUI SURELY IS REFRESHING. ATIF ASLAM CONTINUES TO OWN EVERY GENRE OF MUSIC. YOU CAN STILL COME OV ER -BETWEEN FRIENDS THIS SONG HAS BEEN ON OUR MINDS RECENTLY BUT ACTUALLY IS PRETTY OLD. IT'S CRAZY HOW SUCH SONGS ARE LIKE MINERALS DIGGED DEEP INTO THE GROUND, WAITING TO BE FOUND. COOL FOR THE SUMM ER -DEMI LOVATO THIS SONG WAS RELEASED WAY BACK IN 2015. HOWEVER, TIKTOK USERS MIGHT BE ABLE TO RELATE HOW IT'S BEEN ALL OVER THEIR FYPS. THE POWER OF THIS APP! SMH

(TW)MISOGYNY/VIOLENCE/HARASSMENT When I was haphazardly making notes and planning on what topic to choose, the desi feminist urge aroused and shouted ‘Misogyny’, and this is when I realized that it really is a BIG social issue. For me misogyny really is a shaitaani term but yes, it is where the fasaad starts, to really put it in, it is what gives birth to extreme plight and destruction within the societies. Though, literally it means; “dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.” Pakistani ‘mard’ love this term and are constantly in a state of narcissism and have a sense of dominance upon women, to really say it, this is where it ALL starts (quite literally). We have millions of cases of murder, rape, harassment, violence that have resulted because of the hatred that men encompass within themselves against women. The ‘Desi Pakistani Mard’ urge to have a control over women or to govern them because they are apparently Sinf-e-nazuk is really problematic. Calling women nazuk or bechari give these misogynists the dil ki thandak they deprive from a very young age. I don’t really get the idea of randomly killing an innocent living human being or torturing them to death or locking them up upon the mere idea of nafrat or ehsas-e-kamtari. Neither do I get the idea of always using ‘women’ to instill anger within a ‘man’; giving ‘ma-bhen ki gaaliyaan’ and never ‘baap-bhai ki gaaliyaan’, is where it all starts. This is because of the patriarchal society we live in! By Lubaina Aman

A GUIDE TO BY:URWA NOOR It's totally okay to repeat outfits, we love to re- wear our cutest fits. AND it’s the best decision to not commit to fast fashion, which plays a huge role in pollution and global warming…and honestly WHO has that many clothes?? \"Fashion and style writer Christian Allaire wrote that while he does repeat outfits, it depends on the garment. “I repeat outfits all of the time. My thing is, I don’t shop a lot, but am willing to spend a lot on the pieces that I do love—so you best be sure I’m wearing things more than once! I justify the big price tags with a price-per-wear approach,” he writes. “The only things I wouldn’t repeat a lot, though, are loud statement pieces because they don’t become much of a statement if you wear it every single Tuesday. But more understated pieces, jeans, neutrals...they are all free game.” - vogue BUT YOU DON’T WANT TO LOOK THE SAME ALL THE TIME? I GOT YOU SOME TIPS; 1. Play around with hairstyles. hair can completely transform your look; you could be wearing the same clothes but still look completely different, if you do an updo instead of leaving your hair open with any outfit, it will immediately turn into something more formal.

2. Play around with makeup and accessories. Make it more bold or more minimal by just changing up these things. 3. Do you find yourself wearing the things you love way too many times? While neglecting the rest 80% of your closet? because I’m guilty, if you find yourself wearing something a little too much and think it needs to go, stow it away in a dark corner of your closet, when you find it again 6 months later you might be really excited to wear it again and no one will know you’re repeating. changing up makeup or jewellery can bring so much personality to your outfit, it can even cause attention to be diverted more towards the makeup or jewellery, use bright colours to make a statement, and pair them with simpler pieces. do the same with shoes and bags. make sure to add a lot of accessories

4. Button down shirts will change your life. wear it on its own, open like a jacket with a t-shirt, with pants or a skirt, as a dress if its oversized … the possibilities are endless BBDDUUOOTTWWTTOONNNN there are so many ways to wear to button down shirt ranging from casual to business, and look super classy as well, there is no way you would regret owning some more

5. LAYER. you can change the style of 8. But how do you apply these to desi fits? a piece and transform it for any The exact same way, you can mix and occasion by just match, try your kurtas with different dupattas layering. \"Always think how you can or different coloured bottoms, since they are layer a t-shirt, sweater, or usually multi-coloured, a lot will work, pair button down over a dress. This them with fun traditional creates an illusion that the dress is a jewellery, layer your monochrome pieces skirt \"Catherine Bachelier them with fun colourful vests or cool jackets if its winter…trust me, it can look really 6. Do not buy things that are trendy, good if done thoughtfully! do not commit to fast fashion, they will be considered ugly soon, instead buy staple classics, things you like and things that define you 7. Try to keep a colour palette, so everything can be shuffled around and matched with literally anything else .I own all colours , but the majority of my clothes have a pattern going on ; the neutrals (black , white , beige and grey) along with two colours I really like (That go well with the others ) and two colours I look really good in (that go well with each other or the other colours)

Restaurants By Irza Saqib Fine places to dine in Lahore Wasabi, Gulberg and DHA Phase III Wasabi is one of the best Sumo, DHA Phas e III and Gulberg restaurants for sushi lovers. Wasabi is a Japanese restaurant Sumo has got to be on the top of every list, offering a variety of sushi rolls thanks to its exquisite interior and and live teppanyaki cooking also at reasonable prices. outstanding taste in food. They offer a However, if you’re not willing to variety of Japanese fused dishes, and go for sushi, perhaps having although you might take some time breakfast at Wasabi is a good getting used to their garlic-y and soy idea. I can definitely say with all my surety that Wasabi offers sauce-y tastes, it might soon become one the best breakfast across of your favourite places to dine out in Lahore! The restaurant is built in a very minimalistic manner, Lahore! With freshly rolled sushi and live aligned with Japanese beliefs Teppanyaki cooking, the experience at and traditions. Sumo is never disappointing. Don’t forget to try their Dynamite California rolls and Beef Teppanyaki whenever you visit!

3) Pasta La Vista, DHA Phase II For all the pasta lovers who always fancied a place dedicated to pasta and pasta alone, mark an end to your search! Pasta La Vista, in Lahore is an epitome of taste and pleasure. From alfredo pasta to gnocchi and even pizzas, your Italian pasta and pizza dreams will all come true here. It’s a very cosy small place, so you’ll enjoy your time with the light background music also. And hey, their cheesecake with strawberry sauce is not to be missed! 4) The Pantry, Mall One and Packages Mall The Pantry by Polo Lounge is somewhere you’d go for light munching, or when you don’t want to stuff yourself with too much unhealthiness – so that’s good right? You should go here all.the.time! The pantry offers the most unique salads, something not usually offered at other restaurants. So that’s their speciality, and of course, their thin-crust pizzas are just to die for! Whenever you visit Pantry, don’t forget to try these two, and to top it all off, have their cheesecake. It’ll all be worth it!

FARYAL FAISAL Theatre Impact A matter of discussion no one stresses about. VIOLENCE We’d be worried about norms and cultures Starting with our most sh owed practice in the descending from generations of oppressing Pakistan film industry *drum roll* Domestic women and them always having to endure violence (also called domestic abuse or family whether it’s regarding their taken away rights or violence) is abuse that occurs in a domestic them standing up for themselves against setting, such as in a marriage or cohabitation. domestic abuse or the misogyny they face at With drama industries desperately trying to work. make the serials relatable but all they are doing Why do you think these norms are not losing ground is giving undertones of in this modern world? Does encouragement to these your thought ever roam damaging norms already around the idea that maybe existing in so many something is influencing households. Referring to the these norms? Exactly that’s popular show Ham Kahan our subject for today. kay sachay thay you might want to recall the spouse FASAAD KI JARR Aswad Ayub (played by (BONE OF CONTENTION) Usman Mukhtar) screaming at his wife Mehreen Mansoor Have you ever observed a (played by Mahira Khan) for change in the attitude of not obeying his order which people and mostly children is very unethical. Now after they have just watched instead of making the storyline impactful and a movie? Were you also trying to freeze empowering, later on, the wife goes back to the everything like Elsa when you first watched the spouse which normalizes the way she was movie frozen? Or did you wish to have long hair exploited earlier. This is how so many viewers as Rapunzel because it fantasized you so of this drama may idealize the situation for much? That’s what impact or influence is themselves, hence the norm strengthens. defined as. Therefore, it’s normal for human nature to adapt and learn what we hear or One more example I would call out is another watch. This is where I make my point of Drama series called Aye musht-e-khaak in which the serials playing the role of a serial killer in our life male lead Mustajab (played by Feroze Khan) (literally lol). has extreme anger issues which are endured by every character in the drama including his wife Dua (played by Sana Javed).

To sum it all up, these shows glorify the toxic narrative that people specifically women are meant to condone, the domestic abuse. Whereas in reality, the anger issues, behavioral crises, and the consequences which come within are no one's but a person’s own responsibility. LOG KYA KAHENGAY (WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY) I bet you have heard this phrase a lot if you belong to a desi household. Even in 2022, there is an internalized fear of judgment among people and unfortunately, it dominates most of the decisions they make. Not surprisingly once again instead of setting an example, the theatrical industry fails to use its power of influence to contribute to society. It clearly indicates that people are getting affected but they fail to do anything about it. Recalling the Pakistani film “Verna” released in 2017. According to Wikipedia, the storyline goes [Sara and Aami's married life is put to the test after Sara is kidnapped and raped. Although she wants to report the crime, her family chooses to remain silent.] Do you see the problem here? Now the title “log kya kahengay” makes sense. Airing the idea of choosing not to speak up, especially on an extremely sensitive topic such as rape to thousands of people is what I call the destruction of the mentality of a whole nation. PEMRA BAN If the news hasn’t reached you yet let me do the honors. Last year in October 2021 The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) banned the airing of affectionate scenes such as hugs and any kind of intimacy between married couples, etc. As I quote from a refraining order dispatched by PEMRA stated: “All satellites are hereby directed to refrain from airing caress/hug scenes in dramas”.

A moment of silence for all the people who had high hopes for this very particular issue. Looks like PEMRA has its priorities straight, which is glorifying abuse and prohibiting the idea of normal intimacy and respect between partners making it to appear taboo. From the looks of it, all of this is heading south and no one with authority is paying enough attention to this issue. Concluding this feature on a disappointing note but also with a tiny ray of expectation from the upcoming generation to look into matters that are the ‘baby steps’ leading to huge society taboos, stigmas, and mentalities of numerous amount of people. I hope this week treats you well! Until next time ciao! SANDSTORMMAHEEN ZARA Standing amidst a sandstorm The wind harshly thrashes his body from side to side He has given up fight Dejection hugs every limb in his body Only wish if he could let this heart more time disembody Disquietude follows him around Haunting him like a rogue hound The rain clouds tower above Beneath lightning strikes the ground While against the ribcage his heart pounds A tear escapes his eye Followed soon by a river And he feels himself drown Like a quiet shadow their smile creeps before his eyes Turning his lips upside down with distaste As he recalls how they wounded him from time to time Then with only one thought clouding his mind He looks above and questions God one \"What is it with this mankind?\"

Teenage Struggles Opinions are an important part to character development. They shape the person and their critical thinking skills. A human’s thought process develops in their infancy. Opinions are the core of our personal and civil lives. It’s almost necessary that we make decisions without perfect knowledge of the consequences. If dealing with an opinion different than ours we tend to get defensive or treat the other person’s point of view in a harsh manner. This does invalidate the right to have independent thinking and opinions. We are said to live in a world in which everyone has a “right” to his own opinion, whatever it is but sadly its hardly implemented. Opinions aren’t set on stone, it’s okay to change opinions as life moves on and sufficient knowledge makes us do it. Sadly society as a whole has represented debating as a bad notion and people avoid “arguing” with the fear of altercation. Every evolutionary change began with just one person challenging everyone with an opposing view of thought. Opinions aren’t supposed to be factual or 100% correct to hold value, every human has the right to share their view with people without being attacked to come up to their full potential as a person. Healthy arguments are actually proven to help teens be confident with themselves. Individuals can learn a lot from people with whom they don’t agree completely. Rameen Fatima

That’s Where The Colors Faded FATIMA HAMMAD HASHMI Technology and its advancements The government can definitely let the custom have undoubtedly changed the shape relive by registering all businesses involved of the world and our lifestyles for the and placing certain restrictions and bans on good or worse, this is still a debate fatal materials .Just if tiny little steps are .However, these technological made we might be able to preserve a few advancements has orphaned our beautiful evenings for our generations to traditions, “the traditions of the come . Pakistan” Language is considered to be the nucleus of any Tradition literally means, “The culture and plays a pivotal role in preservation transmission of customs or beliefs from of heritage .But as important as it seems to be generation to generation “but needless the more we are neglecting it as a nation. Urdu to say it is passing and preserving of is a paindoo language for us .Taking pride in emotion, love and affection from one to speaking your national language is just a the other generation. newspaper or exam essay thing, but are we actually the ones to blame. Partially yes, we as Basant is one term which our parents youngsters need to realize that identifying associated with a joyous tradition a yourself is the grass root for you to build a tradition of belonging ,endearment and structure on and thus being Pakistani we are absolutely the tradition of colors and identified by the language Urdu and then our shades of colors together all the regional languages .Here we need to attributes glued to make it an kite flying acknowledge that no language can ever be a but to us it is a banned festival of class description because Persian for ages has history now and our kids might not been the language of elite philosophers and at even hear such a word . the same time the language of the lower class. Basant is one Punjabi Hindu originated festival which took place every spring Urdu is a beautiful language to adopt but that is .Bringing with it the joy and festivity it a discussion for another day, for now let’s start was a source of earning for many, but off by accepting our identity so we can grow a the race of being the best and the successful future on the bases of our well- humanly trait of achieving success in nourished seed . all walks of life lead to people using hazardous string (dore) which had First step towards started to slit throats of innocent acceptance is feeling people .Thus, the years old traditions confident about who you lost lives at hands of competition. are, do not think the world will mock about your lineage because legacies are made over burning ashes of coal

KDRAMAS IRZA SAQIB Binge worthy Kdramas to watch on Netflix NOW IT’S TIME TO BOARD THE KDRAMA MANIA ,ONCE YOU ARE ONBOARD THERE IS NO GOING BACK.I AM GOING TO SUGGEST YOU SOME BINGE WORTHY KDRAMAS TO WATCH. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING KDRAMAS FOR 4 YEARS NOW AND I HAVE WATCHED MORE THAN 200 KDRAMAS UNTIL NOW . YOU LITERALLY NEED A LOT OF AUDACITY TO START WATCHING KDRAMAS. AS MANY PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THE EPISODES ARE TOO LENGTHY AND NO DOUBT YOU WILL FINISH A WHOLE MOVIE IN THAT TIME BUT KDRAMAS ARE WORTH IT. ONCE YOU START TO WATCH THEM YOU WILL KNOW HOW DIFFERENT EACH ONE IS FROM THE OTHER. 1) Vincenzo Vincenzo is one of the most hyped kdramas of 2021. I waited long enough for this drama after the trailer was released expecting it to be a thriller and Romance drama and I was right although you won’t see too much romance but the drama is full of action , thrill , and comedy with a versatile cast. The drama follows Vincenzo Cassano ,an Italian mafia consigliere, who returns to Korea after his boss dies. He returns for a few months with the plan of getting some hidden gold and then going away. His plan gets sidetracked as he becomes involved in the fight against Babel, a very corrupt group of companies. He ends up representing and helping a very ragtag group of people living in Geumga plaza with the help of Hong Cha - Young, a Korean lawyer. The drama pits villain against villain in a world where justice does not exist and law is not enough.

2) HOMETOWN CHA CHA Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is like a healing drama you will amazingly feel good after watching it.It’s such a warm kdrama that I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves small-town romances, it’s main genre is rom-com . The thing I loved about it was the cast of lovable townable ,the bond between friends and obviously the dimple couple. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is the story of a successful dentist called Hye-Jin, who lives and works in Seoul. However, when Hye-Jin righteously quits her job in protest of her greedy boss and then drunkenly posts her story on the internet, that boss makes sure she can’t get hired in Seoul again. In an attempt to soul-search, she visits a little seaside village called Gongjin and on a whim decides to open up her own dentist practice there. Naturally she has some issues adjusting to small-town life and regularly comes across the town handyman called Hong Du-Sik, a man who’s always helping out the townspeople and held in high esteem by them all. They cross paths regularly and though they seem opposites in every way, they soon form a connection. 3)MY NAME My name is one of the most thrilling and exciting dramas I have ever watched. The genre of this drama is action , thriller, noir and crime film. After watching this drama Han so hee the lead is my girl crush now , she just nailed it . If you enjoyed watching squid games then this is definitely recommended for you. MY NAME is about a young woman seeking revenge for her father's death with the help of organized crime. When 17-year-old Yoon Ji- woo witnesses her gangster father's murder, she's determined to find his killer. The police have no leads so she turns to her father's best friend, Choi Mu-jin , the head of Dongcheon, Korea's biggest drug ring. Under his direction she joins the police force with the goal of serving as the gang's secret agent to help her with her search. Five years later, under the name Oh Hye-jin, she's assigned to the Inchang Metropolitan Police Agency's narcotics unit, and partnered with reluctant Detective Jeon Pil-do . But Yoon's boss is determined to take down Dongcheon before he retires, and she must be careful.

4) PENTHOUSE It’s main Genre is mega -rich life , intrigue ,opera, Business , Investment , Children , Affairs . The best thing about this drama was that you will be astounded with some amazing plot twists from time to time as there is so much mystery in the whole plot .If you like dramas that make your adrenaline rush, this is the best pick for you. There are three seasons of this drama . The story revolves around the affluent residents of Hera palace, a fictional high- rise luxury apartment. Aside from their place of residence, the families take pride in sending their children to study classical music in the prestigious Chung Ah Arts High school. Greed becomes the root of all evil in the show, as the individuals ignore rules, reasons, and decency of money, power and prestige. A murder mystery becomes a central theme too. The characters unravel, revolve or take revenge for the death of one of the students . 5) TAXI DRIVER Taxi Driver is one of the most terrifying k-dramas I've ever watched and to think that the reason why it's so overwhelming is that it focuses on modern society's critical problems like slavery, bullying, and harassment in one's workplace, gives me goosebumps. During each episode I found myself holding my breath as I couldn't believe the viciousness of the villains. The story follows a group of employees of Rainbow taxi company, who secretly run a side \"business\": they get revenge on behalf of the victims of all types of crimes who request to be avenged of the ones who've hurt them. All team members went through some major tragic events in the past and that's why their bond goes beyond friendship and companionship: they lost faith in the justice system and so decided to make the criminal pay for what they did by themselves.

Dying Roses Ishmal Khan “GO! Please...just go. Leave!” Her voice was hoarse and languorous as she clutched her stomach, and held my stare in her tear stained, crystal blue eyes. I could witness twenty years of life wasting away, all the colors that filled her curling up into a ball ready to rot away for the decades to come. And I caused it. More than the agony of the knife I thrust into her stomach, there was torment of betrayal, a pang of helplessness and an ocean of hurt that she was battling with. She nudged my shoulder with the vague amount of energy left in her, indicating me to leave once again. All color and life was slowly withering from those once pouting and luscious lips. With sheer determination she managed to utter a slight dying whisper , “Why? I...I don’t...understand.” To my knowledge, those were the very last words she could manage to breathe before her body was drowning in her own pool of blood and the little light that was left in her eyes ripped itself away from her to descend to a better, or worse, place. Instinctively, my feet swiftly guided me through this mansion I’ve been in, millions of times. I left her there as all proof of life shrunk to a sort of nothingness around her. I found my way to the exit and started sprinting towards the warehouse I had pre-planned to dispose of all the evidence, every connection that could possibly lead back to me, including the knife I didn’t realize I was clutching so tightly that I cut my own hand. The rivulets of blood tracing my hand and intertwining with the already existing streams on the blood-covered knife. I briskly unlocked the warehouse to avoid any CCTV cameras catching my glimpse. I had already worked out which path I had to take to make sure none of the cameras caught me. Running the shower, I examined my hand. Even though the cut was deeper than I thought, I didn’t feel it at all as if it didn’t exist. But this nothingness wasn’t unfamiliar, in fact it was my long lost friend since the moment I took my first breath. The only alien thing was the heaviness in my heart as I stepped under the warm water. I washed her off of me, her blood and disappointment and piercing stare, but why did it feel like someone had placed a million pound weight on my shoulders?

This was justice. I didn’t do anything wrong. I only balanced the scale. But...why did I feel sick to my stomach? I shook the thought that seemed to be taking me over and got back to work. I had to cover everything up. “Daughter of a famous lawyer found stabbed to dead in her mansion.” By the time I heard the news headlines the following day, I was already heading to Professor Langdon’s class. I took the night train back to Glasgow from London. I wanted to be the last person the police had on their radar. I had to follow the act so as soon as I heard the news, I collapsed on the floor on my knees. That’s what they usually do in movies when their lover dies. I waited for people to swarm around me and coddle me and sympathize with me. It happened exactly as I had expected. To add a dramatic touch, I even forced some tears to run down my face as I ran theatrically towards the station to get a train ticket back to London, to mourn the loss of my lover with her father. I had been waiting for that moment all my life. I wanted to see the face of the man who took everything from me and my mother, who was responsible I was born broken, without emotions. I wanted to watch his whole life crumble away from him like it did with my mother. I took the only light of his life: his daughter. THE SMELL OF FREEDOM JAVERIA BASHIR Sippin up the sheer chai, on misty night Blood running down the throat, tryna overcome the fear of reprisal felt my soul trapped, was dead-inside Buried under the swoon-worthy vistas, No shelling, no pellets where the nature echoes synchronized just the delicate bone, crushing deaths Where rape and beheading, Crystal rocks covered with blood sheds were used as weapons of war as if pristine pearls, on pir panjal Smiling between the sheets, Juvenile, heard the tales of war in all darkness will I be ever able to beaten with batons on the buttocks smell the scent of freedom ?

A MALIGNANCY OR A HUSHED WHISPER Ovarian Cancer BY: Zuha Amir Stigmas affect everything, followed by breast cancer, in Frequent urination, fatigue, from one's identity to their women. An estimated 13.6% of constipation, and irregular confidence to their health. women suffer from this menstruation. Despite the They shape a hostile society malignancy in Pakistan and 70% of symptoms being unignorable where hushed whispers are the cases reported are either at the and quite noticeable, women in preferred over the well-being third or fourth stage of cancer. The Pakistan tend to overlook them of individuals. We belong to a leading cause for not reporting or until the very last stage. The society that subjects women to reporting late is either the stigma second last stage whereby various stereotypes and associated with consulting a cancer spreads beyond the associates every aspect of their gynaecologist before marriage or pelvis lining to the abdominal life with shame. While there having very limited knowledge lining, and the last stage are topics that are no longer about the symptoms of ovarian whereby cancer spreads to the hushed, there is unfortunately cancer. pleural fluid (the fluid that no exemption for the health covers the lungs). care of women. The leading cause of ovarian cancer in women is often a result \"An estimated 13.6% The stigma surrounding the of endometriosis, family history of of women suffer words such as breast, vagina or cancer, or mutation of inherited from malignancy in ovary has restricted a lot of genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 or Pakistan and 70% of women from reaching out on those associated with Lynch the cases reported the basis of getting the syndrome. However, in absence of are either at the third information required for self- both scenarios, there are chances or fourth stage of diagnosis. Years and years of of developing mutated genes cancer\". reinforcement of this stigma through radiation and cancer- has either made women too causing chemicals. The natural Once cancer is diagnosed at early stages, shy to talk about it, have them cause of this cancer is more there are higher chances of saving a believe that being outspoken inclined toward women who are patient through numerous rounds of about personal things will more than the age of 50-55 or chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or bring shame to their family or women who have already gone surgery that removes cancerous cells. they are under an erroneous through menopause. However, reporting cancer at the last notion that neither these stages streamlines treatment options for diseases exist nor is there any Although, there are three different women, especially for families that are treatment for it. types of ovarian cancer: epithelial unable to access medical facilities or According to research tumor, stromal tumor, and germ unable to pay for the costly treatments conducted by Shaukat cell tumor, the symptoms remain Khanum Memorial Cancer the same. Some of the common Hospital and Research symptoms are listed as abdominal Centre, ovarian cancer was pain or pressure, established as the second most common type of cancer,

Every year about 19,980 women from across the Although various awareness campaigns, body globe fall victim to ovarian cancer and an estimated positivity movements, and activists are working 12,810 women lose their battle against cancer. The around the clock to enforce these ideas within majority of these women remain unaware of their the rural community, it is also imperative for the condition until the last stages. According to Dr. government to take initiatives by establishing Adnan Zuberi and Dr. Qurat-ul-Ain Badar “ovarian free health care centers in rural areas, to assist cancer is a common and fatal gynecological those who cannot afford the cost of medical malignancy with high morbidity and mortality rate” assistance. and that “survival chances are less than 30 percent at advanced stages” Breaking away from the shackles of stigma can be easily done if everyone comes together to play In order to address the issues regarding social their role in creating awareness. Human rights stigma it is important to start from those affected activists, volunteers, mass media, and healthcare the most. Educating women in rural areas about workers have the potential of enhancing a various diseases and the detrimental risk they pose, community’s understanding of the risk factors of encouraging them to get to know their bodies cancer; and the people to cooperate with the without any shame, and seeking help in times of strategies of government and nonprofit need. organizations. and i, i forget BY: Fajar Munawar I used to know every little detail of my life, My tongue twists itself up in a noose, but everything has changed. It's haywire. I'm not able to spell out any sound Now, as I try to interpret myself in words, anymore. my fingers get heavy, and my eyes, droopy. It feels like I'm standing on the outer side Not anymore, not anymore am I able to be of my body, seeing everything through a at guard. stranger's eye. I'm tired beyond visibility, and my reality's But the eye's my own, and so are the obstinate. voices. I used to prefer syllables to silence; but Every morning holds the same routine. now I'm the one who's claiming, not to be I count my dreams, bad ones, and how at war. many times I woke up. While writing this down, I forgot myself Then I wake up, make sense of myself, but twice. I forget. I had to restart reading, I had to realign. I forget to see. I forget to breathe. And I, I I'm too tired to make sense of myself. forget to scream. I presume that's the reason I find it impossible to write these days.

Student Elections BY: AMNA “Fellow students, I am *a suited candidate with hopes and dreams* and I stand before you today as your future head girl!’ And so starts the war, to say the least. Spirits as high as their hopes and nerves a minor inconvenience away from a breakdown. As you may know by now, yes we are talking about the student council. To put it in words, the time when tentative candidates put on their best faces for a mere two weeks and win the hearts of admirers. It all begins from the start of the school year when students burst into the school with goals, targets to achieve, and commitments to fulfill their hearts' desires “yaar is saal tera bhai head boy bane ga! ” can be heard from one corner of the common room to the bleachers at the basketball court. Student council is an important part of a student’s life as it not only shows capabilities but also brings out the leader in them. Now we can only hope the leader in this case is fluent in our native language (no burgers please!!!). Initially, enthusiastic candidates go through the nerve-wracking and SO NOT FETCH (mean girls reference) process of the interviews, which is where they are chosen for the elections on the basis of academic capabilities, extra-curricular, time management, and most importantly leadership qualities. Moving on to the electoral process, days of extreme nerves and being on your toes, running around with campaign posters in one hand and candies in the other, hoping to get people on your side with a bar of chocolate. Candidates spend the next few days going to classes with their supporters where they present themselves in front of potential voters. The initial few lines would be a cheesy punch line followed by the roar of fake laughter. For the sake of their achievements, we will let it slide. Then they proceed to give a brief introduction to the agenda which gives us the hope of ‘Naya School’ and what not. Winning the hearts of the innocent by the promise of trips every month, events like dances, fundraisers and parties, etc., plans for a better school. Surprisingly, you see students with heart eyes and adoration on their faces for the candidate like 7 others did not just promise them the same things. With posters decorating the four walls of the school, roars of “Vote for _______” and an aura of excitement lingering in the air, the election days come to an end and the results are announced. Stress is at its peak and you can see nervous faces, hands being squeezed and minds running at speeds beyond calculation. Then the council is announced and the school erupts in shouts and screams, patting the winners on their backs. The other few are seen leaving the assembly with tears in their eyes. Now that the elections are done and the student council for the year rules over the school with their fake promises long forgotten about, one can only wish they bring peace, prosperity, and ‘tabdeeli’ to the school. In the end, we have one piece of advice to give, make your decision wisely. This might as well be the beauty of elections and student council.

I'd be dead The Eyes Bisma Waseem Khan Lubaina Aman Words of wisdom spoken by them, Woh khoobsurat ankhein, kitni Hijacking the drug in me, haseen thin Infusing the emotion that feels like a stab, Like spiral galaxies and ethereal skies A stab at the back of my heart, So powerful, I was hypnotized A pang that you cannot save me from, The enraptured look on my face; When my eyes met yours. Building up walls without doors and windows, No, you cannot come in, Kitnay khoobsurat din thay who Nor can you peek, Those hazel brown eyes; It’s dark inside, like the hues of trees in a dense forest But I like the dark, reminded me of amma keh hath ki chocolate brownies Taking a mallet, you try to break it down, I build another around me, As sweet as honey, your eye-perhaps And another, and another, Made me forget my melancholic life Until my body can barely breathe, Dekhtay hi bhool jati thi who faani Don’t come closer for if you break further, I’d be duniya dead, Kitna acha hota gar tum abhi bhi hotay yahan I say you could’ve broken faster, Maybe you could’ve caught me, Yes, I blame you, But falling in love itself was a save, But don’t come closer for if you break further, I’d be dead.

\"When Her Heart Replied\" Noor-ul-Eman Hashmi Was it a point to stop, or letting go to move on? Walking alone on the broken glass would hurt her and quitting has never been her game. With a confused mind and a bleeding heart, she stood up to say goodbye. Was it an end or the beginning? Her wounded soul asked, Her heart replied: “It is neither the end nor the beginning; it is freedom, it is success.” Her eyes questioned: “What about these tears, will they stay forever?” Her heart responded: \" Were they here in past? They weren't and they will be not in the future. \" She asked: \"These tears will stay as long as this pain will stay. I can't let go of this pain for a lifetime.\" Her heart replied: “Your tears will take the pain away\". She replied: “When they dry, I'll absorb the pain again.” \"DECEIT\"Alizah Syed I drown under chasmic depths, Agony-inordinate. Oh! Your lies and monopoly, Blaming fate? Exploitation of our vulnerability, Oh! Your heinous schemes, While we manifest our misery, Filling the caliginous sky with Only to fill your treasury. nothing but torment and grief. Who shall discern this melancholic melody? I give in! I shan’t retrieve, Justice? Those cherishing moments, Oh! The one’s that’s sightless? Allowing me to misperceive, Mightless? Fruitless? Life. To answer our terrible cries, pleas and shrieks? Oh! A malediction, For the eyes that see, Singing the momento mori, None other than your We shall depart from this calamity. harrowing, Such synchronised catastrophe Shadow of hypocrisy. Can’t, but only, Be your doing.

‫تم پھر لوٹ آؤ نا‬ ‫‪Raffey Abbas‬‬ ‫کہیں تم لوٹ آؤ گے‬ ‫مجھے سینے لگاؤ گے‬ ‫تم جو روٹھ جاتے تھے‬ ‫ہم پھر ٹوٹ جاتے تھے‬ ‫مگر تم کو مناتے تھے‬ ‫تم ہی سے نبھاتے تھے‬ ‫پھر دیکھو تم‬ ‫میں آخر ہار جاتا ہوں‬ ‫چل کے پرکھو تم‬ ‫تیرے دل کو لگاتا ہوں‬ ‫مجھے تم معاف کردو نا‬ ‫مجھے تم معاف کردو نا‬ ‫میرے محبوب سن لو تم‬ ‫تہ عمر کے حجر میں‬ ‫میں آگے بڑھ نہیں سکتا‬ ‫میں کچھ بھی کر نہیں سکتا‬ ‫تم پھر لوٹ آؤ نا‬ ‫گلے مجھکو لگاؤ نا‬ ‫میں راہیں دیکھتا رہتا ہوں‬ ‫تیری وہ یاد میں رہتا‬ ‫میں انتظار کرتا ہوں‬ ‫تجھی کو یاد کرتا ہوں‬ ‫تم پھر لوٹ آؤ نا‬ ‫گلے مجھکو لگاؤ نا‬











Credentials:- Thanking the core team for spending sleepless nights and restless days on this edition: Aamina Aamir Editor in Chiefs: Aliza Rashid Hammayl Shamas Faryal Fatima Hammad Aayla Zainab Lubaina Rafay Abbas Sanish Omer Irza Saqib Urwa Noor Rameen Fatima Graphics: Urwa Noor Aayla Zainab Hammayl Shamas Sanish Omer