“Okay! I think we should leave.” I said. “Get ur stuff ”Dad replied. We walked towards the car and got inside. It was 8 in the morning. I was all in business attire for the Model United Nations conference. This is the only club I find joy in and that is educational. So sorry I did not introduce myself. I am Maiytreye. I am 13 years old and live in Richmond VA. This is getting awkward so let's go back. After he dropped me off I saw a lot of old desi people in front of the highschool exercising. I waved goodbye and started walking towards the door.

After getting in I could not see anyone from my school so I walked towards the stairs like Gauri had said. Gauri is the person who started the club at our school, a 7th grader. I met people as i saw them come through the back doors of the school. I greeted them as they came in. I was feeling nervous as always but I put a smile on my face to hide it. I was looking for ruqquah and then when I saw her come in it was such a relief. Ruqquah is my best friend. Well, she was. So as people started to gather around the cafeteria Ruqquah was stressing over what to say. It was her first conference and she did not have a speech. I was sad and trying to act mature. Then I noticed a strange guy staring at me. And when we met each other’s gaze he would start looking else where. Suddenly a girl came up to our table. Her name was Asiya she was Ruqquah's family friend. She had known that guy. We chated a bit about the position papers and stuff. ”He looks fine” I whispered to Ruqquah. “Who does” Ruqquah asked. I slightly pointed at him. Ruqquah was awkward out. “Bro! You are here for a conference not to stare at boys okay! And he does not look good he has a such a long nose ” Ruqquah whispered back. “Look, I was not staring he started it ok” i said. He then came up to our table he started to talk to asiya. He looked at me twice. I looked at my phone while he did. In fact I was very loud. After the committee sessions past by we were at the closing ceremony. We were the first ones there. So we got into our seats. When I saw him come in He was sitting behind on the other side so he could keep an eye on me. Then Gauri made us move seats. After doing so I saw him come to the seat in front on the other side. So I begged ruqqah to let me side on her seat so i could see him more clearly. I did not like him. It was just i wanted to prove that he was staring first. I looked behind and told Ruqquah that look at him if he stares at me. After the ceremony ended we all got out of the seats. Some one slightly pushed near him but not exactly. Apparently he was not paying attention. I wanted him to but oh well. Then when I got back I got ready and went to bed. Then I looked out the window at the moon. It was quite. Everyone was asleep. I was asleep thinking of how I felt like he was someone to me when in real life he was a complete stranger.

Just how did I get here?

In this type of relationship

At this point in my life

I really thought I was

the driven serious type

who would not get trapped in

this kind of living.

Living with a man, my husband

Can I really call him that since

I barely even know him?

Though that is newly unearthed

information. I only just found

out that I'm living with a

stranger after deciding to do

some investigating.

We met, fell in love, said some vows, got married. I say 'we' but who am I kidding, should've stayed eagle-eyed and cautious of evil as I had originally been from the beginning...I got

myself caught like a bird locked in a cage with a complete

stranger. Only now in deep thought with worry piling on worry, GASP! My goodness, Father God I utterly regret it.

Not waiting on you to send the right one, that is.

'Cause right now, all I can really say is Who on earth did I, not too long ago, marry?

When I was younger, and not so very, I used to imagine Jesus Christ was in the passenger seat riding in the car with me as I commuted back and forth from University.

It wasn't that I was supremely religious. He simply appeared one day, and without explanation buckled up. He was kindness and tact, a listener Absolute. We discussed all sorts of rights and wrongs in the silence of those hour more long drives. I re-lived moments of Life in minutest detail, scrutinizing every possible misstep that might offend, or might have offended, and with Jesus' help I rewrote the script, five or six times for best fit.

One day I said: I have to stop rescripting Life! And that was the day Jesus Christ didn't get into the car. I still prayed to God, oh yes I did. Prayed very hard, on my knees until I was mortified to perceive that I was asking... asking for Things to be Received. It was then too that the abstract Ear, to which I was praying, also disappeared.

Suddenly I saw the World as a Whole, and I, no longer a Stranger in it.

I was Inside the Ear.

02.24.2023

Stranger (Narrative)

challenge @maiytreye13