Spectator 5.0 has been quite a ride. To claim that it was difficult would be an understatement; it took a lot of effort, tears, determination, and more tears, but we’ve gotten through. It was an uphill battle, but we came out triumphant on the other side, albeit with lesser patience and friendships. Sorry we ever doubted your legendary phrase, Tayyaba: "Ma'am, I don't have any friends, put me in whatever group you like". It sounded funny to us earlier, but no, Tayyaba, you are our messiah.

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This course has seen a lot of dark and dreary days but it has also witnessed many miracles; like Nabeel turning up to work on time — this was a miracle not many have seen in these past 4 years. And that one day, Eesha came to class on time. We swear we heard fireworks go off that day. We’d like to thank Ma’am Farahnaz Zahidi (aka FNZ) for making the impossible possible. Believe us, plenty have failed at this before you.

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From the very first day to the very last, FNZ was adamant on making sure we leave our comfort zones miles behind, and try to experience new things: like turning on our cameras in the introductory zoom class. She has no idea how petrified we were, and how this ordeal has been burnt into our memories forever. Even wallflowers like Sumaira and Maham came out of their cocoon (only to be sent back in months later, after FNZ tyrannized the entire workforce of Spectator 5.0 to get work done). The “cameras-on” rule was one we were never allowed to break through the entire semester, except for when someone said “Miss I don’t have a webcam.” (Yes Taimoor, we totally believe you.)

 

Before the lockdown, the classes that took place on campus were an absolute joy. Not only did we get to learn a lot, we also got to see Nisma and Amir brown nose FNZ at every slight chance they got. It was funny because the act itself was rarely reciprocated from the other side.

 

What we’re going to cherish most from this class is finally learning how to write somewhat professionally, and then getting the reality check: “you’re not George Bernard Shaw” (as FNZ put it). We will also miss listening to the Resurrection Ertugrul theme song every time FNZ’s phone rang in class.

 

We weren’t lying when we discussed leaving our comfort zones far behind — people don’t realise how incredibly awkward and nerve-racking it is to just walk up to someone with a birthmark or dark skin and say, “Hey, you’re unique — can we take a photo of you for an assignment?” Only we know how many death stares we got. Btw, “we” means Amira, who took charge of this when Rida, Sharmeen and Mahnoor hid behind her to do the approaching and the talking.

 

Having a man force of only four boys was indeed a bit odd. It meant Sara, Qirat, and Afia making Taimoor hold their bags and the camera while they shopped till they dropped at the Sunday Bazaar. But thankfully, he had the emotional support of his equally diligent friends: Abrar and Nabeel, who are still figuring out what Spectator 5.0 really is.

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It was all fun and games till the second wave hit and we all fell sick. It definitely took a strain on our work considering how stringent parents became over not letting their children go out for field work. The classes were also shifted to online. It was difficult, yes, but we’re very grateful that Amir’s family, colleagues and relatives could take classes with us via Zoom — their voices in the background made everything three times more entertaining.

 

This course was indeed hectic, and made us want to punch each other in the face at least twice a day. It might sound very dramatic but work in a group and maybe you’ll know what we’re talking about. But, on the other hand, it taught us discipline and how to work with all kinds of people. Also, did you hear: Fazeela is teaching anger-management classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays? After carrying the entire editorial team on her back for a month, she has finally found her true calling.

 

This was a learning experience none of us will forget. Thank you FNZ, for the memories and for being kind and patient with idiots like us.

 

PS: The writer of this BTS will forever remain in anonymity.