As the Wind Goes

by Michiko Aoyama

Wind blows past me as I look outside the window. It’s 3 in the midnight everyone else is fast asleep, I can’t sleep… I’m scared I keep worrying about how my new school would be, If I would make friends or not, what if they don’t like me?... sighs suddenly my dad taps on my back. ‘You want something to eat?’ he asks me with some snacks in his hand. ‘No, I’m fine, thank you’ I say. “So, what are you thinking? Something bothering you?” he asks me genially. I sigh but shake my head.” You know, I was just like you once my dad changed his job for more better opportunities and we had to move to a whole different country, there no one looked like me, knew my language, everything was different, you know it was a whole new experience I was very overwhelmed at first but later I adjusted you’ll also adjust don’t worry everything will be fine now go to sleep and stop worrying’ my dad says this and goes to sleep.’ Easy for him to say!’ I think to myself and keep staring out the window until I eventually fall asleep. Later in the morning I’m woken up by my mom as we were about to reach the station. I fix my hair and brace myself for this new place! “YOU ARE WELCOME IN KATHMANDU (NEPAL)” I notice this on the display as I see this my anxiety comes back again to haunt me. As I look around to calm myself, I notice small kids playing they are in school uniforms they look so cheerful and as if they have no worries of the universe wish I could be like them. My dad calls us out and we catch the bus to our new home. On the way I see beautiful mountains and the air also feels so refreshing I have to admit it is a nice place. I reach home very tired I doze off to sleep and I’m woken up the next day by my mom shouting for me to come and have breakfast. I go downstairs and mom tells me ill be starting school for tomorrow.” WHATT! nooo I’m not ready we just reached here yesterday I still don’t know anything about this place” I nag to my mom but she doesn’t listen. ‘Why does school even exist argh!’. I head to my room and start contemplating my life. Guess I have no other option Afterall. Next morning, as I reach school, I notice the same kids I saw they’re still all together. I can’t help but remember my old friends. I reach my classroom it’s not that different from my old classroom I take a seat at a bench in corner. I was gazing out the window when a girl taps on my shoulder.’ it’s my seat go and sit somewhere else!’. Oh no! not on the first day I don’t dare look at her without saying anything I take my bag and start to leave.’ Oh! Wait, are you a new student?’ she says now slightly embarrassed. I just nod my head.’ I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you can sit with me if you want’ she asks politely. Guess she isn’t that bad yippee! now I have a bench mate. We sit together and she tells me a lot about the other students and teachers she’s got a bubbly and very cheerful personality she’s very confident too almost everyone is her friend because of her other students also talk to me. I reach home happily my first day wasn’t as bad as I thought in fact, I was a fairly good day. I realize I have nothing to be afraid of really yes; it is hard adjusting in a new place where nobody recognizes you but I know I’ll soon meet new people and get to know them’ I think this to myself as I reach school and notice the girl who tapped on my shoulder and told me to get out her seat waving at me and telling me to come so we could go to class together. As a breeze passes through me, I notice the small kids going to class together just like me and …oops i forgot to ask her name argh! I always do this.

“Life is one revelation after another. Things don’t always go to plan, no matter what your circumstances. But the flip side is all the unexpected, wonderful things that you could never have imagined happening. Ultimately it’s all for the best that many things don’t turn out the way we hoped.”