A Moment I’ll Never Forget

I must begin with an apology for the delayed response — in truth, I’m still in shock.

August 16th, 2025 started like any other day. I woke up, went for a walk, grabbed a coffee, and settled in, planning to write through the morning. I’d been working on a piece for a Vocal Challenge, trying to focus despite having had a restless night full of strange, unsettling dreams. My mind was scattered, and focus was elusive.

Still, I sat down and tried to write.

Not long after, a notification popped up: “You received a comment on your story After the Rain.” I minimized it quickly — I didn’t want distractions. But then another came… and another. One was a message about a “reader insight,” then more comments, and then the one that stopped me cold:

“You received $… bonus from Vocal.”

My heart paused. My mouth went dry. I didn’t dare read further. In that moment, it felt safer not to know than to be disappointed. After all, disappointment had often followed hope, especially when it came to winning anything.

Over the years, I had entered many challenges with stories I genuinely believed had a shot. Titles like:

Silence of Time

Down the Rabbit Hole

Hey Buddy

Two of a Kind Equals a Pear

Fast Like the Wind

The Legend of Foggy Waters

I’m Broken

Each piece carried a part of me, and while some gained recognition — three runner-up finishes and one honorable mention — first place always seemed just out of reach.

Until now.

I shut my laptop, grabbed my iPad, and went to find my wife, Linda — the one person I trust to read everything before I hit "publish." I needed her beside me for whatever this moment would bring.

We signed into Vocal together. Scrolled to the winners of The Summer That Wasn’t Challenge. And then… there it was.

First Place: “After the Rain” by Jbaz.

I froze. Couldn’t speak. Just stared. My name — in the winner’s circle. Among so many talented creators whose work I admire and respect. It didn’t feel real.

HOLY... S...

This wasn’t just about winning. It was a culmination of persistence, growth, and the quiet belief that maybe, just maybe, I had something worth sharing. I started writing on Vocal in February 2021 with a story for The Black Book Challenge. That piece — Cost of Freedom — was my first publicly shared work. To my surprise, it received a Top Story. Then, silence for almost two years.

I quickly learned that writing — especially in the online space — demands more than just skill. It demands patience, humility, and an unshakable commitment to keep going even when no one seems to be watching.

Vocal has been a crucial part of that journey. Without this platform, and without the support of fellow writers, I’m not sure I would’ve continued. Your encouragement, your feedback, and your incredible stories kept me inspired.

To the judges: thank you. I can only imagine how difficult it is to choose from such a wide range of talent.
To the readers: thank you for your time, your insight, your kindness.
To my fellow writers: your work challenges me to improve and reminds me why I love this craft.
To Linda: thank you for always being my first reader and my greatest supporter.

I know I still have a long road ahead. There are pieces I’m proud of, and others I look back on, shaking my head thinking, “You could’ve done better.” But that’s part of the journey, isn’t it?

Right now, my focus is on finishing the novels I’ve been working on behind the scenes. That’s why I’ve been submitting less — but I still read, still cheer on others, and yes, Vocal challenges still find a way to lure me back.

This win is not the end. It’s motivation.

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey. You’ve made a difference.

I hope to keep writing stories worth your time.

— israr khan