I met this girl
at the airport. We were on transit on our way to school & I was with a
coursemate. The airline had reserved accommodation for us at a hotel & it
came with dinner & breakfast for the next day before our flight. My
coursemate & I were seated at the hotel restaurant for dinner when she
walked in, the sound of her shoes making an announcement of her presence.
It only took two
minutes for me to conclude I wouldn't like to be in the company of her kind of
person. She seemed noisy, disorganized, & her dressing was far from decent.
She walked back & forth, drawing even more attention to herself. Making sly
comments about the hotel's service every now & again.
"Where did
you get that orange juice" I thought i heard but couldn't believe she
could possibly be talking to me. All i could hear was the repetitive clicking
of the gum she was chewing. I all but rolled my eyes.
"Over
there" my coursemate replied, pointing towards the stainless dispenser on
the table by our left. "Thank You" she had said, which i barely heard
while i was busy wallowing in my judgements of her.
The next morning
we met again, this time she seemed calmer & a little reserved. I realized
she hadn't come with anyone on her journey actually, & that fact might have
been reinforced on her seeing as almost everyone there had their group of
people. Even I had my coursemate, who i had met only at the airport before
traveling.
I was seated at
the lobby waiting for the bus to take us back to the airport, my coursemate was
still having breakfast and the bus time wasn't due till in 30 minutes.
I looked up from
the phone that had kept me engaged as I heard footsteps approaching, I thought
it was my coursemate coming but it wasnt actually. It was the girl from
yesterday. She came to sit on the couch opposite mine. We clocked eyes, i
smiled. Reflex. But she smiled back. And in that moment i saw what was akin to
fear, innocence, sadness, pain. I felt the need to start a conversation.
"Where are
you traveling to?" I asked her.
"Beijing"
"School..."
she added.
"Oh
nice..."
"And it's my
first year, I dont even know anyone"
"Wow
Okay..."
"But it's
okay...I'm sure you'll settle really well...School's going to pick you
up?"
"Yes"
she replied.
"Oh cool
then"
"I'm sure
it'll be an interesting experience getting to know the environment &
all...just feel free to ask questions.."
"Right? I
will...thank you" she replied, smiling gratefully.
And in that short
span of time we talked even more about the trip, family, life. She told me that
it was her first time travelling alone, & that she missed her family so
much. She was terrified of what awaits her at school & the thought of not
being able to go back till after a whole session. She was going to study
medicine, she said she had heard it was difficult, she felt nervous of whether
or not she'll do well with her courses and what challenges she would face. As i
listened to her I tried to calm her fears, telling her that nothing in life is
beyond our capacities we just need to believe we can and give our best.
Challenges will come but we can overcome them with hardwork, faith &
optimism.
My coursemate had
joined us too and she also gave her some advice. It turned out she knew a few
people at the school she was going and she mentioned that they were doing okay
and she could ask for them.
When it was time
to part, she waved us with a grin after receiving a tight warm hug & I
wished i would meet her again sometime.
--------
A smile had
formed on her mother's lip as she finished the recount of her experience.
"Won't you
say anything?" she asked.
"I think you
know it already...you know the lesson of this experience already...
You've seen that the bulk of what
people are is how you see them...while you had initially seen her through only
her apparent actions, you couldn't connect with her or understand her...but when
you looked at her and saw an individual just like you, with a heart &
feelings...when you listened to not just her words but her silence, saw not
just her eyes but the heart & soul to whom they are a window...you were
able to connect & draw closer to her & even assist her...And you know
what, perhaps you were right with your initial judgements...perhaps she is
actually as you had seen her, a girl, lacking in sufficient decency,
disorganized and noisy...but those aren't what define her in totality...those
temporary attributes don't form the core of what she is...or can be...we need
to refine the way we look at each other, we need to consider each other through
eyes of compassion and humanity...as works in progress, fallible as our
ownselves...in need of love, & nourishment & betterment...when we look
at each other let us see potentials for goodness...our eyes are lenses and what
we focus on magnifies...when see each other that way then we can truly help
each other, love & care for each other...tolerate & forgive each other,
truly be there for each other...and more so, when you look out for the good in
others you remind them about their potentials too, you assist them in believing
in their own selves too, strengthen them to enhance the good that lies within them...
We are all just
amazing, special, unique & beautiful individuals...and to enjoy &
benefit from this rich blend of Awesomeness we need to carry within us hearts
wide enough to accommodate one & all...openly & freely.
