Icarefully examined a stunning dress that had caught my interest. I studied its material and perfect embroidery, while my caring aunt stood beside me, offering her expert advice to help me find the perfect dress for Eid.

Suddenly mum’s voice called out, anxious and frantic, as she urgently asked, “Where’s Zoha?”

Instantly, shock gripped us all and fear swiftly overcame the joy that had filled the moments before. I had completely forgotten about my younger sister, Zoha. Panic set in as we realised that Zoha was nowhere in sight.

Without a second thought, we sprang into action, frantically searching for her in the mall. We ran through the bustling shops and passages, calling out her name and asking every person passing by if they had seen a young girl all by herself. We searched every corner of the mall, moving from one section to the next, floor to floor. Zoha was nowhere to be found. It was like she had disappeared into thin air, like some gas.

Suddenly, “The toy store!” I exclaimed, the words escaping my lips as I remembered that Zoha had a fascination with the toys. Without hesitation, I darted towards the toy store, scanning every nook and corner to find her.

My heart pounded like a drum as I reached the last row of the toy section. And there, as if in a world of her own, sat Zoha, unaware of the anxiety that had consumed us for the past half hour. A sigh of relief, mixed with a burst of frustration at the same time, left my lips along with a prayer. She was clutching the doll she had asked mum to buy, but mother was unwilling to buy it for her.

With her innocent five-year-old grin, Zoha looked up at me, her eyes shining with pure delight. In that moment, it was as though nothing had happened at all. She had simply been enjoying her time among the toys, unaware of the chaos that had enveloped our family.

Summoning my patience, I finally asked, “Where were you, Zoha? We searched the mall from top to bottom, and we were so worried.”

Her response was yet another mischievous grin, as if her adventure had been nothing more than a casual stroll in the park.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head in mild exasperation. “Come on, Zoha,” I said with a mix of relief and annoyance, extending my hand for her to take.

She reluctantly got up, clutching my finger as we made our way back to the first floor where our family anxiously awaited.

As we descended the mall’s escalators, Zoha and I approached our concerned family members. Their faces, once etched with worry and anxiety, transformed instantly into smiles of immense relief and joy upon seeing Zoha safe and sound by my side. We bought her the doll she had asked for and we went home after buying the dresses we had opted for the big day.

Zoha’s adventure in the toy section had truly and unknowingly put our family through an emotional rollercoaster and that day is forever etched in my mind.

Published in Dawn, Young World, July 6th, 2024