NADIA
I had completely forgotten that I had counselling classes, and now I was being called out of my last period of business session. One of my teachers approached me, a warm smile on her face. "Nadia, I've spoken to the principal before about your counselling sessions," she said. "The counsellor mentioned that everything was okay last time you spoke, but I'm here to help if you need it."
I followed her to an empty room, feeling a bit awkward. "I'm so sorry, ma'am ," I said. "I have a class, and I don't want to be late." She smiled and told me not to worry, that she would give me a note to excuse my tardiness.
As we sat down, she introduced herself and explained that she would take care of everything. "I know you don't know me that well," she said, "but I've seen you in the corridor, and you kind of remind me of myself when I was younger."
I felt a bit stunned, unsure of how to respond. I wasn't used to teachers knowing me, let alone resonating with me. But she continued, her voice filled with empathy. "I know it's random, but I had a lot going on in my life as a teenager. I got into fights, and my anger would often get the best of me. I tried to keep everything under control, but I ended up running away from my problems instead of facing them head-on."
Her words struck a chord, and I realized that she indeed saw a little bit of herself in me. She knew what it was like to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to cope. "There's no use in running from your problems," she said gently. "They'll still be there when you get back. But if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. Not to give advice or try to fix everything, but just to listen."
I looked at the teacher, my mind racing with thoughts. "But what if running away is the solution to my problems?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The teacher's expression was thoughtful, and she leaned forward, her eyes locked on mine.
"Running away might seem like a solution in the short term," she said, "but trust me, it won't solve anything in the long run. Your problems will just get worse. God has a way of repeating patterns, and if you run from one situation, you might find yourself facing a similar one with a different person or in a different context."
I listened intently, her words resonating deep within me. She continued, "You can't run away from a lot of things, Nadia. You're going to have to face issues head-on and own them. You need to let go of that part of yourself that constantly wants to be saved and kept away from the world's darkness."
Her words struck a chord, and I felt a sense of recognition. I knew she was right; I couldn't keep running from my problems forever. She smiled softly and added, "You're practically an adult now, and it's time to face reality. Dealing with the loss of your father, you shouldn't rush the process. Focus on what your heart tells you, because sometimes our minds can play tricks on us."
She paused, her expression gentle. "Sometimes you need to move in accordance with your heart, because when you're out of touch with your emotions, you can spiral out of control. You need to face these situations head-on, using both your head and your heart. Be smart about every decision you make, and make sure that whatever you do is not only for your benefit but also for the benefit of those around you."
As I listened to her words, I felt a sense of wonder. This woman had given me more advice and insight in a few minutes than I had received in years.
I stood up, feeling a sense of resolve. "Well, this is random, but thank you for pulling me out of class," I said, my voice sincere. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm very thankful."
The teacher smiled, her eyes warm. "Anytime, Nadia. Here's a note for your teacher, so she doesn't get too upset." We both laughed, knowing how crazy our business teacher could be.
As I left the teacher's room, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. For so many years I've felt unseen and misunderstood but just being understood by one person who barely knew me made me feel so seen and like life was worth living still.