Rising Waters, Sinking Hearts
Today, the school announced a holiday because of the heavy rain and adverse weather conditions. Ironically, I received the message the moment I reached school. Around me, I saw teachers and students rejoicing at the unexpected day off—the sudden gift of a day without lessons, bells, registers and routines. Yet, amidst all that laughter, something inside me grew painfully quiet. My heart was not celebrating. It kept drifting towards those unfortunate families for whom the rain was not a holiday announcement, but a heartbreaking announcement of loss. We spend years working hard, saving money and sacrificing little joys to build a home. We choose curtains with care, polish our furniture, arrange crockery lovingly, decorate walls, place delicate showpieces in carefully chosen corners and turn four walls into a place we proudly call home. Every object carries a story—a sofa bought after months of saving, a plate received as a wedding gift, a child's favourite toy, slippers left casuall...