Since this is our final year of graduation (B.Com), the teachers of Government College of Commerce Bahawalpur arranged a wonderful trip to Multan. Students from different sections, including both seniors and juniors, participated in this trip. The college administration had arranged two buses to take everyone. Everyone was very excited but we either missed the buses or we missed them intentionally. In fact, the buses were overcrowded. That is why we, a group of eight friends, decided not to be a part of this rush. In fact, we had missed the buses intentionally so that we could travel in peace and comfort.

Instead, we traveled in a local Hi-S van and followed our classmates while keeping in touch with them. This way, we also made the journey calm and connected with our colleagues.

After reaching Multan, we visited various parks and historical places. One of them included the shrine of a famous Sufi saint (the shrines of Multan, called the “City of Saints”, have their own peaceful and spiritual atmosphere). Later, we went to the banks of the Chenab River, which was the most wonderful moment of the trip. The weather was pleasant. Everyone took off their shoes and dipped their feet in the cool water. Initially, I was reluctant, but when I saw that all my friends were enjoying themselves, I also participated. And this moment was truly memorable.

Some friends also rode a camel on the Chenab River. Initially, this scene seemed scary, but I gathered courage and rode it, and this experience became an unforgettable moment of life. Since we had not arranged for lunch with the college, we headed to the city market and had lunch separately at a hotel there.

In the evening, we went to a beautiful park in Multan Cantt, where we enjoyed boating and paddle boating. Everyone had a lot of fun, took countless pictures and also made memorable pictures with the teachers. On our way back, the teachers lovingly offered to take us on government buses. Although my heart wanted us to go back separately, the majority preferred to save money, and so we returned by bus.

Out of many memories, one memory has been etched in our hearts forever. In a park, we asked a stranger to take a group photo. After a brief introduction, he asked us: “What is life?” We all gave different answers. I said: “Life is love.” After listening to everyone, he said: “For me, life is the name of sacrifice.”

It was a simple but profound sentence that changed my thinking. I may forget the names of the parks and places, but I will never forget this lesson that this stranger taught me.