I still remember to this day that when I was asked to write an essay on a person I admired the most as the final task to conclude the semester in my 8th grade, I wrote about Aaliyan.

He was one of my classmates, and even my class teacher was surprised that while everyone wrote about either their parents, siblings or some celebrity, I chose a classmate. But to this day, if I were asked about an inspiring personality in my life at that age, it would still be him.

Aaliyan was a popular person not only in our class, but throughout the school. He was talented and participated in, and won, almost every competition, be it sports or academics. What added more to his personality was his friendly and funny nature. Some friends would even call him the class joker because often, when the teacher came to class late, he would stand in front of us and entertain us a riddle or joke.

No one could beat him in his sense of humour, and this is why he was the favourite of almost every student in school. But what made me admire him was not just this, but much more.

I remember it was right before the mid-term exams when the school announced the annual field trip to the zoo. Everyone was excited about it. Every year, the school took us to the National Museum, as it was free. However, this year, the students asked the management to take them to the zoo, with everyone paying for the ticket.

The trip was announced a week in advance and, as always, every group was buzzing with discussions about it — what to bring, what to eat, what to do and, most importantly, what to wear. Someone asked Aaliyan what he would wear and he replied that he wasn’t going on the trip. Everyone was surprised because they had assumed he would go, just like in previous years.

The reason he gave was that he needed to study for the upcoming exams. Everyone tried to convince him, but he stayed adamant about his decision, and eventually the students quietened down since they were out of ways to persuade him. The next day, the students requested the teacher to convince Aaliyan to go on the trip, as everyone knew it would not be as fun without him. Sadly, none of the teachers could convince him. The matter was then taken to the headmistress, since everyone, including the teachers and the head, wanted him to come.

When the headmistress asked Aaliyan to take the trip, he felt bad declining her and finally agreed. This sent a new wave of excitement among the students, and preparations started twofold. Eventually, the day of the trip arrived. Everyone gathered outside the school at 9 am sharp. Three big vans were arranged to take us to the zoo.

That day, I got a little late, and just as I got out of my car, I saw Aaliyan standing to the side, talking on his phone in a worried manner, while everyone else was getting on the buses. Instead of walking towards the buses, I went towards him, as I felt something was not right. When I asked him, he told me that his grandmother was not feeling well and that he had to go back home. He rushed to our class teacher and informed her. Everyone was reluctant to let him go, but since it was a serious reason, they had no option but to allow it.

As he started walking away, I asked him how he would go home, and he told me that he would take the bus. Since I knew the buses did not have a fixed schedule and he might have to wait for an hour, I offered to drop him off. My car was still there, as my father was waiting for me to get on the bus before leaving. Initially, he refused because he did not want me to miss the trip, but I kept insisting, as I sensed something serious at his place. When he saw that I was adamant, he reluctantly agreed and got into the car.

What I saw next was what truly made me admire him. When I asked for the address, he mentioned an area known for informal housing. When we stopped outside his house, he asked me to come inside out of hospitality. I initially thought of declining, but out of curiosity, I agreed.

Inside, I learned that he lived alone with his grandmother, as his parents had passed away when he was six. He worked hard in the evenings to put food on the table for both of them and to afford his grandmother’s medicines. In the mornings, he attended school while a neighbour looked after his grandmother.

That woman had called him because his grandmother had a high fever that day. I learned all this from his grandmother while he saw off the doctor who had been called for her.

As I came to know all this, I began respecting him even more than before. It was that day that I truly started admiring him. He lived such a hard life, yet still managed to put a smile on the faces of those around him.

He worked hard, never asked for a handout from anyone and, most importantly, never used his poverty as a crutch. He had declined the trip because he did not want to spend money on something like this, even though his grandmother wanted him to live like a normal boy for a day.

When I returned home that day, my perspective on life changed. I realised that not everyone was as privileged as we often assume. I spoke to my father and requested him to consider Aaliyan for a job at his company. Aaliyan declined when I discussed it with him, but I made him comfortable by agreeing that he would appear for an interview like all other candidates, and only if the recruiter deemed him capable enough would he be hired.

Since he was a very intelligent student, he got the job, and now, years later, he still works there, as the most experienced financial consultant in my father’s firm.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 21st, 2026

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“Beta,” Ammi coaxed me out of my room. “Dinner is ready. Leave that phone for a while.”

“Fine,” I grumbled and got out of bed.

I had planned to go shopping with my friends. Finally, it was my first time out in a proper mall. I had been scrolling endlessly, searching for ideas about what to do and how to have a good time there (Google has very good advice sometimes). I felt a little conscious to go for a proper hangout at the age of 17, but I guess that doesn’t matter.

As I sat at the table, my dad asked, “So, are you going this weekend?”

I nodded.

“Mm, beta, you should check how your friends actually are, if they are good friends or not. You don’t know who is loyal these days….”

“Abbu, I know who is good for me. You don’t have to worry,” I said, trying to keep my irritation out of my voice. Everyone thought my friends weren’t good for me, but I knew better, didn’t I? I knew how good they were sometimes… or did I?

Ammi side-eyed Abbu, clearly saying, “We had to discuss this after dinner!”

I went to my room straight after. Nimrah had texted me: “Don’t wear anything cringe tomorrow, please!”

I stared at it, my was confused and sad. That’s what they thought of me? No, maybe they didn’t want to embarrass me; they were saving me from ridicule. I laughed a bit, trying to think they were being thoughtful. I knew I was kidding myself, but I was blinded. I wanted to be known, to be seen.

The next day, I met my friends at the mall. They were, as usual, dressed as nonchalantly as possible, but I had resisted my temptation to wear that orange kurta I love.

They looked at me approvingly, as though they had control over my choices as well. They had, to be honest.

“Where will we go?” I asked too eagerly.

“Well, just to the café, then we will go and have a bit of fun in the arcade,” Saira said, checking it off on her fingers.

“Cool!” I said.

“Don’t forget the new shop we have to go to!” Nimrah reminded us.

“Yeah, yeah, you and your shopping.” Bismah rolled her eyes.

“Remember the time when we went to the arcade last time and got glued to the same game and the manager had to pry us away?” Saira said.

I laughed loudly. They all looked at me and so did everyone else in the vicinity. I lowered my head as they looked at me with disgust. Why did I have to embarrass my friends when they are so nice to me and try to attract as little attention as possible?

We walked to the café in silence. After sitting down, I saw them taking selfies. I tried to make the same pose as them, but they told me to stay still and normal as the frame wasn’t big enough. They took four photos with me, me being in the left corner. That was enough, wasn’t it?

I forced myself to drink the bitter coffee they all ordered. I usually drink ones that are sweeter, but I didn’t want to be left out. They chatted about school and gossiped about the latest celebrities (who even cared about these people?) while I just nodded. I didn’t want to interrupt.

We headed to the arcade. The lights loomed at me, more like haunting me than making me feel hyped up like the kid who was next to me in line. They headed to the claw machine because they wanted to win a teddy bear. I stood in the corner, watching. They started playing. They tried twice, but failed. They tried for the third time, but as the claw didn’t pick up the teddy, Nimrah punched the machine. It turned off, even its happy music. Everyone stared.

An employee came over.

“Is there a problem?”

“Um, yeah, the machine turned off,” Saira said.

“Did you do anything to it?”

“Someone just punched it.”

“Who?”

They looked at each other.

“She did,” Nimrah said, pointing at me.

Silence.

“What?” I stammered. “I didn’t! You guys were playing!”

“Oh, come on, don’t lie…” Saira said, eyebrows raised, and they quickly left the spot, leaving me alone with the staff.

“Follow me,” the employee said, her eyes kind. I followed, a lump forming in my throat. I couldn’t believe that they betrayed me!

The lady took me to the “Employees Only” room.

“Now, tell me, were they your friends?”

I nodded.

“I know you didn’t do it. You were standing far apart from the group. Be careful who you choose to be your friends. I don’t want to say anything else,” she gently said to me.

I nodded, with an embarrassed expression.

“That’s all, you’re free to go,” she smiled, her face radiating a warmth that made my heart relax.

“Thank you,” I said.

I quickly left the mall without event bothering to see where my friends were and hurried home. I wanted my bed and peace.

I closed the front door with a soft click and tiptoed to my room.

“Beta, everything all right?” Ammi asked from the kitchen.

“Yep, everything’s good,” I said. I didn’t want to discuss it right now.

At night, I told everything to my mother — how I tried to blend in and how they blamed me. My mother comforted me.

Sometimes, you don’t need fables or big speeches to realise who is who. You just need the right perspective. Don’t blame the people who made your life miserable. Kind people make your life better, but bad people prepare you for times ahead. It’s far more embarrassing to turn up for people who won’t turn up for you.

Some people are the rewards of a claw machine, but some are just the claws themselves.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 21st, 2026

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New Phineas and Ferb movie coming to Disney+

Disney Branded Television has greenlit a third Phineas and Ferb movie, set to begin production later this year for Disney+ and later the Disney Channel.

The time-warp story follows the boys as Dr Doofenshmirtz’s experiment erases the moment their parents meet, threatening their very existence.

Vincent Martella (Phineas), David Errigo Jr (Ferb), Ashley Tisdale (Candace), and other familiar voices return, along with creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh.

This follows 2011’s Across the 2nd Dimension and 2020’s Candace Against the Universe.

Yoshi joins The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

The first trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie introduces Yoshi alongside returning favourites Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad.

Brie Larson joins the cast as Rosalina, a space-dwelling princess who raises the Lumas, while new dinosaurs, including Birdo and a T. Rex add, to the galactic adventure. The sequel picks up after The Super Mario Bros Movie, sending the heroes across the galaxy to stop Bowser Jr from freeing his father, Bowser (Jack Black).

Set for an April 1 release, the film is positioned to be an early 2026 box office hit, potentially following its predecessor toward a $1 billion haul and paving the way for spin-offs like Donkey Kong.

All eight Harry Potter films to return to theatres

All eight Harry Potter films will be re-released in theatres this summer to mark the 25th anniversary of the first movie. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, the films also feature Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton and Emma Thompson.

Meanwhile, a new Harry Potter TV series is in development at HBO Max and a star-studded audible original series debuted in late 2025.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 21st, 2026

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