A New Student in Town

She was shopping for this and that. New in town but not new to foreign lands. She had been to other countries before. She had served overseas for a decade. So moving around in a strange place was not unusual for her. In fact she loved it.

New place, new adventure. She was enjoying her exploration of a new place. A small township in the middle of England. She was not afraid of getting lost in a foreign land. Which was extremely funny ... considering she had a phobia of getting lost in her own country. It took her a long time to learn to use the commuter train in Malaysia. And her only reason was that she might be lost in another station. And that to her was scary, and a hassle. In a foreign land, her rational was, she is already "lost". So it did not matter. Weird but ...

So there she was, picking this and that ... for her small need. And unbeknownst to her, she was being observed by a young lady and her mother.

She must had have been observing for quite a while, when finally she came over. " Assalamu'alaikum Sister." She greeted with the most friendly and sweet smile. "Wa'alaikumsalam." the new student answered. So happy that a stranger had just said salam. For her ... salam from a stranger was the most beautiful thing, especially when you are in a new land.

"You must be a new student in the University." she said. Surprised, the new student asked,"Yes, and how did you know I am new?"

"Oh, I saw your basket. You have a plate, a mug, a piece of everything ...!" She answered cheerfully.

Stunned, the student laughed... And that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between two sisters from two faraway nations.