Prelude to a Shahada Story - Part Two

See post from Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005 for Part One or click on story title for link to permanent page for full story. Continuing where the poem left off... At the conclusion of the most beautiful and undeniably happiest year of my life, wallahi, my handsome pilot passed by me on the sidewalk one day between classes; he walking towards his dorm, me walking towards mine, which also happened to be in the direction of the campus chapel... [Sidebar: I didn't mention this before but I was raised Christian and had made a conscious decision to practice Christianity from the age of 11. This morphed into my attending Christian High School my junior and senior years, which led to my attendance at Cedarville University (Baptist), in Cedarville, Ohio.] ...What stood out as we passed by one another was the fact that he had he had not noticed me at all, his gaze towards the ground as he strode slowly, and silently in the opposite direction. I continued on my own path for several more steps, but the overwhelming compulsion to turn around and call after him overtook me. I turned around, and thankfully, there was scarcely anyone else on the same path, and I called out his name. There was a moment of hesitancy in his stride, as on hearing my voice, he glanced over his shoulder. Turning to face me, we began slowly walking toward one another. As he presented himself to me with downcast eyes, I prodded his attention with my gentle inquiry, "Is something wrong?" Little did I know...little did I know. He replied, "Yes." I offered, "Do you want to talk?" My question was silently answered as we began to slowly make our way toward the chapel. The auditorium was sparsely occupied and we found a quiet spot to sit down. (continued...) Copyright © 2005, Aishah Schwartz Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full text and subject title in not-for-profit publications. Contact author for all other rights, which are reserved.