“What a bummer!” Mahnoor exclaimed, annoyed while looking at the news.

“What happened, dear?” her mother asked while sitting down next to her.

Mahnoor’s eyes were wet, “It’s nothing mum, just another lockdown. I mean I know it’s so that everyone can be safe, but I wanted to buy a present for Anum aapi because she won that trophy in her Spelling Bee competition.”

“Hmmm… you know, when I was your age, I would make my sisters handmade cards and gifts. Why don’t you give it a try?” her mother said while getting up and going into the kitchen.

That idea clicked with Mahnoor. Later that night, she thought about what her mother had said. It would be fun to make something by oneself, but how would she know what to do? All her life she had only ‘bought’ gifts, not ‘made’ them. She began browsing through the internet until she came across a bunch of videos called DIY’s, meaning ‘Do it yourself’. Each video that she watched was creative and unique.

Finally, Mahnoor decided to make a pop-up box card. She spent all night making it and it was well past midnight when she gave the last touches to her creation. The pop-up box card was glittery pink and black, with a cute little bow on top. Inside, she had placed different pictures and the chocolates she knew her sister liked.

Somehow, Mahnoor was very proud of herself. This was her first time making something from scratch. She couldn’t wait to give it to her sister in the morning.

When morning arrived, Mahnoor hid the gift box behind her and quietly tiptoed towards the dining room where her sister was working on her laptop. She cleared her throat which caused her sister to look up.

“Anum aapi congratulations on the trophy. I made something for you!” Mahnoor said and gave her the box.

Her sister was surprised. She carefully took it and then opened it. She smiled at what she saw inside and then put the box down and gave Mahnoor the biggest hug.

“Thank you, Mahnoor!” Anum aapi smiled. “I love it!”

“It’s no problem. I had fun making it as well,” Mahnoor replied. “In fact, while this lockdown is still going on, I think I’ll start making more DIY things. Better to be creative than lazy!”

“I agree! And while you do that, you could help me make a gift for my friend,” Anum aapi asked.

“I would love to,” Mahnoor exclaimed “DIY to the rescue!”

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 19th, 2020