The diary game: A Day of Fasting, Prayers, and Responsibilities

Today I had an off from the office and felt quite relaxed. Still, I had to wake up very early at around 4:50 AM to have the morning meal. As we are passing through the auspicious month of Ramadan, we fast throughout the day. Right after getting up, I performed ablution and got ready for the morning prayers, which I offered at the nearby mosque just a few meters from my house. After praying and establishing a divine connection with the Almighty, while also embracing some peace and positivity for the day, I returned home and went back to bed for a little more rest. These days we hardly get enough sleep, so sleeping till around 9 AM feels quite satisfactory.

After waking up again at around 9 AM, I got ready and headed towards the office through a shortcut route. For the past six to seven months, I have been deputed to a different department for some special work, and now in just a couple of days we are likely to be relieved and join our parent department again. I am not very excited about it because I have grown quite attached to the staff there and have also developed an interest in the work. Anyway, it is a part of our duty and there is nothing much to worry about. After all, I am being paid for my work, and it does not really matter where or what kind of work I am doing.

I stayed at the office throughout the day and meanwhile offered the afternoon prayers along with other office staff in a room that has been designated as a prayer room for this month of Ramadan. Praying there feels very peaceful. Since the office is away from the residential area, there is hardly any noise, and the separate room provides a quiet space for contemplation and meditation, something I truly enjoy doing again and again.

Later, I returned home and it was time to help my aunt, who was not at home. She had asked me to assist with some work in a nearby tehsil area located about 10 km from my place. I had to complete the KYC of beneficiaries of a government scheme under which food is provided to underprivileged children to help prevent malnutrition. I stayed there for the rest of the day until it was time to break the fast. I drove back quickly and somehow managed to reach my village just in time.

I broke the fast, offered the prayers, and then had an early dinner. After that, I went again to the mosque to offer the special Taraweeh prayers. Later, after returning home, I had some fruits before going to bed. During Ramadan, sleep becomes quite limited, so going to bed early feels important. That is why these days I have been sleeping a little earlier than usual.