What If I Return?

I'm sitting here, lost in thought, and I can't help but wonder... what if I could go back? What if I could return to those carefree days of childhood, when life was simple and joy was contagious? The school zone, the friends, the laughter, the silly games... it all feels like a distant memory, a fleeting moment that can never be recaptured.

I think about how we've grown up and how we've lost that innocence, that sense of wonder, that sparkle in our eyes. We're now chasing grades, competing with each other, and trying to impress others. We're pretending to be someone we're not, hiding our true selves behind a mask of happiness.

But what if I could go back? What if I could return to that version of myself, the one that was real, true, and lively? The one that laughed with abandon, that loved without condition, and that lived in the moment?

I remember those summer nights, spent sharing secrets with friends, playing prank calls, and having the best time. I remember the smell of my nani's cooking, the sound of the azan in the background, and the feeling of being safe and loved.

I miss those library days, the friendly competition, and the sense of accomplishment when I won a prize. I miss the Chand raat, the Eid celebrations, and the Ramadan days, when the world seemed to slow down and we came together as a community.

I wish I could turn back the clock, to a time when my biggest worry was playing with my dollhouse, and my biggest thrill was eating ice cream on a hot summer day.

What if I could go back? What if I could relive those moments, those memories, those feelings? What if I could tell my younger self, 'Hey, slow down, enjoy the ride, and don't grow up too fast?