She Was My Miracle
She entered the crowded area, taking swift steps, trying not to make eye contact with anyone, yet trying to find the building MCS- Math and Computer Science. After walking for what seemed like a good 10-15 minutes, she spotted the bold white letters, printed neatly on a navy blue board, seeming like a new sign. She crossed over to the other side of the grass and made her way towards Room 11. Fixing her skirt and pulling down her shirt from beneath the black cardigan, she stopped in her steps right by the door. For one last time, she fixed her hijab and stepped in the room. There was..no one. Oh her habit of always arriving early, no matter where it is! She looked around the vast room to find a good seat, when she spotted a head bending under a desk, struggling to pick up something. She picked a middle seat in the 2nd row- perfect; close enough to the front and not in the professor's face. Setting her Intro to Calculus book on the desk, she headed for the exit, but thought to confirm something with the stranger who was soon going to be her classmate.
"Excuse me?" she said very softly.
He looked towards her, not knowing if he should make any eye contact with a "hijabi".
"But she initiated the conversation", he thought to himself.
"Uh..yes?"
"This is Math 160, right?"
"Yep, it sure is! You had doubts?"
"Huh? Oh..no..it's just that no one's here so I wanted to make sure, plus, it's my 1st day here".
"Yeah..I could tell..never saw you around before."
"So you know everyone on campus?"
"No I meant, you're probably the 1st, and only hijabi, at least since I've been here."
Their conversation took a pause when the professor entered the room.
"Good evening! Wow, we're pretty houseful, eh? I'm Professor Williams and I'll be your Calculus instructor this fall!"
As the clock struck 6, Professor Williams called out roll.
"Jeevika Chaudry"
"Here."
"'so that's her name. Interesting. A hijabi at college, and someone who isn't afraid to go out and learn. I want to know her more now, but how? Will she befriend a guy?"
"Viren Vadhera"
His trance was broken.
"Uh yes, here."
By the time the 1st class meeting had come to an end, it started pouring outside with the sound of thunder amidst all the chit chat in the hallways of the building. She made her way out the building, indecisive of whether she should wait for the rain to calm down or walk to her car. After much contemplation, she started walking towards her car when she heard a familiar voice from a distance.
"Jeevika!"
She turned around to find him dreanched in the rain, but he took swift steps towards her.
"Are you parked on the other side"
"Yeah'"
"Oh, I can walk with you. It's quite a long walk from here, plus it's late and raining."
"Um, no it's okay, you shouldn't bother, but thanks anyway, I'll manage"
"No really, please. Let me!"
Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Viren and Jeevika became each other's best friend and their routine continued. They would meet twice a week, in class, and he would walk with her, to her car on those nights. So little, yet it meant so much for the two.
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*Around finals time*
12/12/12
He's so nice and different! Most of all, he's decent, unlike any other guys on university campus. He walks to the car with me, after EVERY single class meeting..and he doesn't even park on that side'well now he has, I've seen him a couple of times..but still, how sweet and caring can one be? Oh God, what's gotten into me? Why am I thinking like so much about him now, plus it is finals week, I gotta stop! I go to college to learn, to study and get a 4.0. Now that's my plan, not to befriend Viren.
Jeevika put away her diary and started studying for her Calculus final.
It was the night after finals when Viren was in his room, not knowing what to do.
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12/15/12
I think some miracle has happened on campus grounds or something. Jeevika, this girl is so down to earth; can anyone ever be so calm, so shy, so sweet and simple? The entire semester has passed and not one did she talk to me about anything except what was needed, neither did she ever try to show off in any regard. It's almost like she has no temper..wow! I mean I think I kinda already like her because now that I can't see her for I don't know how long, I'm kinda missing her. She's got everything I ever wanted in a girl- the modesty, the self-resptect, the simplicity, yet she is unique. I never thought such a girl even existed. That's why I never took mom seriously when it came to marriage. I think I'll talk to mom soon!
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Next morning, Vanshika came into Viren's room with an envelope.
"Viren beta, I want you to see this picture and tell me if you like her."
"Really?" Viren thought to himself. "Mom had to choose this day, this time to show me a girl's picture?"
"Ma, do I really have to? You know I'm not going to be interested in anyone because the kind of girl I want doesn't exist."
"I know I know, someone who doesn't dress to impress, someone who is really simple, but educated, and someone who would make your life beautiful with her love and care for you! But I've a feeling she's the one for you, look at her once?"
"Mom, I've to tell you about someone though. I'm not sure about anything yet, but she's the kind of girl I always wanted to marry; she would be the perfect girl to be a wife, and a daughter-in-law. She goes to my university and her name is Jeevika." Viren said all this while rummaging through the fresh laundry on his bed that had just arrived in his room. He didn't know how to approach his mom about this; he had never done this before.
"Viren, I don't want to hear anything, can you please have a look? Then I promise you will forget this Jeevika and every other girl I've told you about. Please? For your mom? I've to cook, but do have a look."
After showering, Viren decided to look up on Face book and see if Jeevika has a profile. He really missed her, but didn't know how to contact her or anything. He did have her number, but what would she think if he texted her out of nowhere? He had no reason to do so. Annoyed with himself, he decided he will get rid of the thought of her since she could be a mere crush whom he would forget in a few weeks' time. His heart still whispered, "'you will not forget her'"
His mom's words echoed through his mind and he decided he should just give in to her wish, and go ahead with the girl she has suggested.
Slowly, he opened the envelope, only to be astounded by God's miracle- a miracle right in front of his eyes. The picture was of a girl fully clad in a turquoise hijab, a subtle and beautiful smile lingering on her lips, while her face was glowing despite no makeup at all. Viren felt himself grinning and his heart beating ten times faster, every other beat skipping itself, to realize Jeevika was his mom's choice as well.
Edited by OnlyHope - 13 years ago
Anupamaa
