New Roads, Broken Dreams, and a Second Chance

When Dreams Break

The first dream had already shattered.

On my way to Islamabad, I carried with me a heart full of hope — visions of scholarships, white coats, and the proud smiles of my family. But the moment I arrived, the truth hit me harder than I could bear. The scholarship that had drawn me from my quiet village life turned out to be a scam. Sweet promises became bitter lies.

I sat in silence, my suitcase at my side, as the city’s noise drowned out the noise inside me. Disappointment, loneliness, and the haunting thought of my parents’ faces wrapped around me like a storm.

The Longest Night

I went to my cousin’s place, broken and unsure. That night, sleep refused to visit me. Questions crowded my mind:

“Was coming here a mistake? Should I just return to my village? Was my dream too big for me?”

But in the middle of that darkness, another thought whispered: “Allah does not bring you somewhere without a reason. Hold on. Be patient.”

A New Door Opens

The next day, my cousin introduced me to his boss. After hearing my story, the man’s heart softened. He offered me a job and said:

“Work with us, and we’ll support you in your studies too.”

Those words felt like rain in the desert. Just when I thought the road had ended, Allah opened another door. It wasn’t the road I had chosen, but it was a road I could walk.

I accepted the job. With that, a new journey quietly began.

From Medicine to Demography

My heart had always been set on medicine. I had imagined stethoscopes, hospitals, and the chance to heal people. But reality pushed me elsewhere — to Demography.

At first, I resisted. What did population studies have to do with the dreams I had nurtured since childhood? But slowly, I realized that every field holds importance. Demography connects to health, society, resources, and planning. It was not the dream I had chased, but it was a new dream slowly unfolding before me.

I chose to stay. I chose to fight for a future in a field I had never imagined.

Struggles That Shape You

Islamabad was still unforgiving.

• Loneliness: In my village, I had the comfort of family — my mother’s prayers, my siblings’ laughter, the presence of my father. In the city, I had only four walls and silence.
• Financial Stress: Balancing work and studies was never easy. There were days when my pocket was empty and nights when my energy ran out before my assignments did.
• A New Field: Demography was unfamiliar. At times I felt lost, sitting in classrooms where nothing made sense.

But I held on. Because I learned something important: struggles don’t disappear — they shape you.

Lessons From a Broken Dream

Today, when I look back, I see more than just failure. I see transformation.

Yes, my dream of becoming a doctor collapsed. But Allah placed me on another road, one I never would have chosen for myself. Maybe, in this road, there is more goodness than I can see right now.

We dream. But Allah decides. And His decision is always wiser than ours.

The Story Isn’t Over

From a village to the heart of Islamabad, from deception to determination, from medicine to demography — my journey is far from easy. But it has taught me one thing: broken dreams don’t mean the end. They sometimes mean a new beginning.

I am still here, still fighting, still believing. The story is not over yet. It has only just begun.

Author’s Note ✍️

This story is not about success — it’s about survival, hope, and the courage to keep moving when life changes your path. If it touched you, please leave a ❤️ or share your thoughts in the comments. Your support means more than you know.