I was so excited! My family and I were going on a holiday after many years. We were all busy packing our things when I suddenly began to feel tired and fell asleep.

I dreamt many lovely things and woke up to find that I was all alone in the house! I walked around the whole house to find it all empty. Everything had vanished, including my family. All the rooms were cleared out and I was the only one there. I was shocked by the thought that my family had left without me.

I walked out to the garden and found a big “For sale” sign. I couldn’t believe that the house I had grown up in was for sale. I wanted to ask my neighbours about what was going on, but they weren’t home either. By this time, I was starting to panic.

I wanted to go to the police station when I heard a faint, but familiar voice that sounded like my mother’s voice. It got louder and louder and then I woke up and realised it was all a dream, thankfully. I had dreamt of waking up and finding everything and everyone gone away.

I was so happy that the packing was all done and we were at last going on a holiday. I almost forgot the dream, but later I remembered it and now I have written it down.

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 26th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...