The World Will Know

Minahil Nadeem, 11

Hesitation. That slight pause as they stare down at the sheet.

I know exactly whose name they are about to call. The name they’re about to struggle with. Some even skip the first name entirely, finding the last to be the lesser of two evils. Many still braved the first, though no one ever got it right. My face would flush as the class’ curious eyes swiveled to bore me down. I used to make the effort and quickly correct the pronunciation. Middle school was the last to see those days.

People easily made heavy assumptions, a perk of the western world. Smart, glasses, naive, tryhard, epitome of nerd. Definitely speaks English with an “Indian” accent. I’m not from India.

I don’t think Justice ever made keychains for me. I never got to buy 300 watermelons in math problems either. I wasn’t mentioned in any TV shows, movies, books.

I was unique.

And I grew to love it.

My younger sister laughs and yells my name as we race down the streets on bikes. My parents praise my name as I win more academic awards. My crush repeating my name as I stand there ecstatic. My friends compliment art drawn by me. My cousins tease the failed soccer plays attempted by me. My aunts dance along to new choreography made by me. My name has evolved, is evolving. It’s a meaningful whirlwind, looked upon differently from each aspect of my life. A combination of memories, experiences, expectations, accomplishments.

“A stream of sweet and cold water” is what it means, Minahil Nadeem is what the whole world will come to know.

People I’ve Known~Creations~40