I am Wajiha. It is the year 2026 and I am 18 years old. I just found an old treasure map among my old possessions and my heart is flooded with countless memories which will stay in my heart till my last breath.

Rewind to 2021

It was my 13th birthday. I’d just woken up from a very peaceful sleep and a lovely mauve-coloured dress was waiting for me, hanging right on the door of my wardrobe. There was also a dazzling pair of white heels and loads of pearl jewellery, just waiting to be worn.

I quickly changed and got the garden ready along with my mother because my friends would be there any minute. I didn’t have to wait for long as my friends, Ayesha, Fatima, Simal and Bareen, soon arrived! We spent a lot of time dancing to our favourite songs and playing all sorts of games. Soon, it was time to eat. Before that, however, we performed the most important ritual of any birthday party — cutting the cake!

“Go ahead, Weji, make a wish!” Simal nudged me.

I closed my eyes tightly and made a wish — a wish that no one heard — and blew the candles out. We ate our favourite snacks and after an afternoon of fun and games, it was time for my friends to head back home. They left and by the time I cleaned up, night fell and the glowing moon smiled upon me as I fell into a deep slumber.

The next morning, I rushed downstairs to see if I had received any birthday cards or letters. Sadly, there was nothing on the doormat except for the daily newspaper. Dejected, I picked it up and, guess what! I rubbed shoulders with something that would change my life forever … it was a treasure map!

There was an ‘X’ on it, which indicated where the treasure had been hidden. I changed from my PJs into a green jumpsuit, running shoes, tied my hair in a bun, and set out to find the treasure by following the map.

After a long and tiring journey, I stopped to take rest before hitting the road again. My feet were completely sore by then and I was thankful that I wore running shoes or God knows what would have happened to my feet!

After resting for about 15 minutes, I started walking again, but unfortunately, I got chased by a tiger and escaped with a horrible scar on my left arm. After walking a few more metres, I came across a circle of trees and didn’t know where to proceed. I kept roaming around for a while and, all of a sudden, I bumped into a huge stone, which was more of a switch since a tunnel appeared out of nowhere!

I kept sliding down the tunnel and ended in a dark cave. There, I found the treasure chest! But before I could open it, I sensed the ground shaking. I grabbed the chest and ran for my life as the place was collapsing.

I found my way home as I had dropped some glowing rocks to mark my trail. I reached home, safe and sound. I opened the chest and it was overflowing with different sorts of jewels, and coins made of gold and silver!

Fast-forward to 2026

I still keep the treasure chest with me and all the jewels and coins I found inside of it. Though it has been many years since that thrilling experience, those memories are still with me. And who could forget the tiger attacking me and leaving a huge scar behind! Yes, the scar is still there.

Now I might as well find a tissue, because these precious memories are flowing from my eyes and dripping from my cheeks in the form of tears — happy tears.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 22th, 2022