Srinagar, June 27 -- Last intervening Thursday-Friday night, I was trying to impress Allah in Arabic language at quarter to 3. I struggled to remember a few words that could lend verbal expression to my thoughts:

Ana da'eef/ I am weak! Rehem, ya Rabb/ Mercy, oh Lord!

I had skipped my medication and I could not sleep. 11:30 PM, 12:30 AM, 1:30 AM and eventually I decided to take a midnight shower.

At 2:30 AM, I grabbed my prayer-mat after a long time. In about an hour, it was going to be Fajr time and hence I waited. I offered Fajr prayer and went to sleep. I had a strange dream.

My dream was about how hard I have been working to bring an end to the crisis in my life: A fire that was only rising higher despite my efforts to put it out f...