Dreams, Deception, and Determination

A Village Boy with Big Dreams

The village I grew up in was simple, slow, and full of laughter. Days rose with the sun and nights melted into family jokes, stories, and shared meals. I was just another boy from this village, but I carried a dream heavier than the summer sun: one day, I would become a doctor and make my family proud — my parents, my siblings, and the whole village.

After completing FSc (Pre-Medical), my heart beat with a single desire: to pursue higher education and step into the medical field. I was always drawn to newspapers, reading them cover to cover. One day, something caught my eye — an advertisement offering scholarships abroad in nursing and medical fields. My heart skipped a beat, and hope flickered like a candle in the dark.

A Spark of Hope

I called the number listed immediately. The voice on the other end was warm and convincing:

"Come to Islamabad. You’ll get the scholarship. No money needed. We will guide you through everything."

Those words felt like honey melting in my ears. I had never imagined going to Islamabad, but in that moment, I made a decision. My family’s joy knew no bounds — my parents’ eyes sparkled with hope, my siblings’ laughter seemed brighter, and the whole village began to whisper: “Our boy is going to become a doctor!”

Within two days, I packed my bags. On the journey, my mind painted endless scenes: wearing a white coat, helping patients, walking the corridors of hospitals. From the calm of village life to the glitter of the city, I was ready for the world — or so I thought.

The City and the Shock

Islamabad greeted me with towering buildings, busy streets, and strangers whose faces did not match their intentions. Excitement turned into confusion when I reached the people who promised the scholarship.

"Yes, the scholarship exists," they said, "but you must pay these fees first."

The ground beneath me seemed to vanish. I, a simple village boy, had believed in sweet promises. My family’s joy, their hope — all seemed to crumble in a single moment.

Finding a New Path

In despair, I turned to my cousin, who had always been a source of support. Seeing my condition, he offered me a job and said softly, “Work hard, and I will help you continue your studies.”

I accepted. The path I had imagined — becoming a doctor — shifted, but life had given me a different opportunity. I enrolled in BS Demography, a field far removed from medicine. The beginning was tough. Every lecture, every assignment reminded me of the dreams I had set aside. Yet, financial responsibilities and personal determination became my companions.

Struggles and Small Victories

Living alone in Islamabad is a battle of its own. The comfort of my family — a mother’s prayers, siblings’ teasing, the protective shadow of my parents — was gone. Some nights, loneliness pressed heavily against my chest. But in those quiet hours, I reminded myself: “Allah has a reason for placing me here.”

Money was tight. Between work and university, I carried the weight of my postponed dreams. Yet every paycheck, every completed assignment, felt like a small victory. I learned to smile through exhaustion, to laugh through setbacks, and to find joy in the journey, not just the destination.

Lessons in Resilience

This story may seem simple: a boy leaves his village, faces deception, and finds a new path. But within it lies a world of dreams, heartbreak, struggle, and hope. Life rarely unfolds as we imagine, yet each challenge carries a lesson.

I have learned that failure does not define us — our response to it does. I may not yet be in a white coat, but I have discovered courage, patience, and the quiet power of perseverance. Every lecture attended, every shift worked, every lonely night studied — it is all part of a journey that is shaping me.

Dreams may change. Paths may twist. But resilience endures.

Author’s Note ✍️

If this story of hope, struggle, and determination resonates with you, please leave a ❤️ or comment below. Sharing these experiences reminds us that even in hardship, we are never truly alone.