“A lush green place – a breeze brushing across my face – me sitting – facing a mosque. This is what I used to imagine every time I closed my eyes.

Making it to one university over another wasn’t really on the agenda, but one thing led to another, and I ended up here, at LUMS. On my first day, I hardly knew anyone. Yet, after 2 hours of unpacking, I decided to go out for a stroll across campus. Not used to these long walks then as I am now, I spotted a bench and sat on it. I didn’t deliberately pick this bench, but when I looked up, I saw the cherry blossom tree and, right next to it, the LUMS mosque in all its glory.

It was surrounded by trees, and I, too, was sitting in this lush green garden. At that point, I realized that even though I had never ritualistically prayed to see this image in my mind come to life, I had always hoped I would.

Four years down the lane, this bench brings unparalleled solace to me. Since it was here where I felt heard by the universe four years ago, and this bench is a constant reminder of it. As brief a moment as it was, that point in time keeps me anchored to this day; for I felt in sync with the universe and the universe with me.”