JINNAH UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN

Name: Muqaddas Fatima

It was New Year's Eve of 2022, and everyone in my family was filled with
excitement and happiness. I'm Ana, a 21-year-old girl living with my parents,
brother, and sister in California. As the clock struck midnight, I joyfully wished
everyone a happy new year, and we gathered around to cut the cake. Although
I'm not a big fan of cakes, I can still enjoy them on occasion. We all danced and
celebrated in the TV launch, thoughtfully enjoying the new year’s night.
While everyone was engrossed in their dancing, I began feeling unwell and
decided to sit in a corner, observing everyone. Suddenly, my attention was
drawn to the storeroom, where I noticed a figure. I couldn't discern what it
was, but I couldn't take my eyes off it. It appears someone was standing there,
watching me. My heart started pounding, and I broke into a cold sweat.
Compelled by curiosity and fear, I mustered the courage to approach the
storeroom. Upon reaching it, I witnessed something indescribable. Words
cannot adequately express the horror I beheld. It felt as though I was being
hypnotized by an entity with dark, piercing eyes. The figure wore tattered
clothing, its body contorted in unnatural ways, and a sinister smile stretched
across its face. I lost consciousness, collapsing right there.
When I regained consciousness the next day, I found myself suffering from a
high fever. My mother was in tears, but when I tried to explain what had
happened the previous night, my parents dismissed it as mere imagination.
They urged me to rest and insisted that I was overthinking things. Deep down, I
knew that what I had experienced was real, but I chose to remain silent,
understanding that no one would believe me.
Time passed, and I gradually began to regain a sense of normalcy. After 15
days, my family planned a trip to New York, but I couldn't join them due to my
university commitments. Thus, I found myself alone at home. One night, as I lay
in bed, I suddenly awoke at 1 am, overcome by thirst. I headed to the kitchen
to grab a drink of water. As I entered the living room, I noticed a figure seated
on the sofa. Slowly, I approached, but before I reached it, the figure vanished
before my eyes. I was shocked and quickly retreated to my room, locking the
door in fear. After a few minutes, I heard footsteps outside my door, which
made me start crying and praying. Suddenly, there was a forceful kick on my
door, shaking it violently. The sound echoed through the house, and I could
feel the vibrations rattling my very being. I cannot recall what happened next,
but when I regained consciousness, it was already 2 pm the next afternoon. I
felt weak and had a throbbing headache. As I emerged from my room,
everything appeared normal, as if I had just experienced a terrible dream but I
couldn't erase the lingering fear from my mind. I had breakfast, a cup of coffee,
got ready, and headed to the university for my classes.
Unable to keep the incident to myself any longer, I confided in my childhood
friend, Mia, who became my pillar of support. She revealed that she believed I
was plagued by malevolent forces. Overwhelmed with fear, I decided to stay at
her house that night. I informed my parents that I would be spending the night
at Mia's without divulging the details of my experience.
The next day was Sunday, and Mia and I decided to watch a movie and enjoy
some late-night burgers. We ordered our meal and chose a romantic movie, as
we both enjoyed that genre. "The Kissing Booth" was our pick, and as we
indulged in our burgers while watching the movie, I momentarily forgot the
troubles that had haunted me. It seemed like the perfect night. However, after
a few hours of sleep, another terrifying experience unfolded.
I found myself back in my own house, lying on my bed, filled with fear. I
screamed and cried out in terror, desperately wanting to call my parents, but I
didn't have a cell phone. Darkness enveloped everything around me, and I
noticed someone approaching. My screams intensified as my bed levitated, the
door began to move violently, it felt as if an unseen force was attacking me, I
tried to fight back, but my hands were contorted backward, inflicting immense
pain. Helpless, I realized there was no one I could reach out to. Alone in my
torment, I turned to prayer, seeking solace in God's presence. I don't recall how
everything was resolved, but when I woke up the next day, it was a normal day.
Though I still felt physical and emotional pain, the light in my room offered a
glimmer of hope, reminiscent of heaven. I realized I was never truly alone
during those nightmarish momentsand. The presence of a divine power gave
me strength to endure. Nonetheless, the experience taught me valuable
lessons. When you're in need, others may abandon you, but your faith in God
will never waver. I understood that true support and understanding are rare,
but I found solace in my faith.
These experiences had a profound impact on my daily life. Anxiety and fear
became constant companions, and the pain from the contorted hands lingered.
It was a struggle to cope, but I persevered, finding solace in my unwavering
faith in God. Relationships with others became challenging, as I couldn't
confide in anyone about these experiences. I wore a mask, acting as if
everything was fine, while keeping the haunting memories to myself. The
unsolved mystery of what transpired and who that figure was continued to
weigh heavily on my mind.
Now, I strive to live my life as normally as possible, even though I am still not
fully healed on the inside. The support and understanding from others may be
rare, but I found solace in my faith and my friendship with Mia. They became
my rock in times of uncertainty. Although I continue to suffer from anxiety and
pain, I've learned to find strength in my unwavering faith. The events of those
nights remain a mystery, forever etched into the fabric of my existence, yet
they have also shaped me into the resilient person I am today.