Young Voices: My heart still beats for Samjana By Laxmi Narayan Dahal

Five months ago, I left Nepal and my praemika (girlfriend), Samjana, to come to America. Since I’ve been here, I’ve noticed high school boys go through many girlfriends. But I believe that love should be with only one girl, not a thousand.

I met Samjana on a Thursday morning in Jhapa, our refugee camp. Flowers were smiling and birds were singing. I woke up early and started to walk to my school.

I was entering the classroom when a girl called to me, “Hi, Laxmi!” I turned to look, but at first I didn’t recognize her. The more I looked at the girl, the more I wondered what I could say to her. She was like crystal, and the sight of her left the other students breathless. I just smiled. Then I asked her name. “Samjana,” she said. “My goodness!” I said out loud. She had been my friend who had read with me in Grade 1.

Slowly we became closer. I used to go to her house and help her with math. In school, we organized a drama program together. I loved to be in her presence. Her brown eyes were intoxicating, her voice as soft as a nightingale’s. She brought me alive. I didn’t know what feeling that was, but it was unquenchable.

The morning I had to leave Samjana to come to America felt like a dream, until the bus came. The International Organization for Migration came to Jhapa at 7:30 that morning. My mom and dad, brother and sister and I had our things packed.

When I saw the bus, I understood I must leave Samjana and our friends. The officers started to call our names. We knew that my name would be coming as I moved toward her. I cried and we said goodbye. Her eyes filled with tears when she gave me the necklace that I now wear everyday. It is a Gautam Buddha, known as the symbol of love and nonviolence.

Now, my heart still beats for Samjana. I see her appear in every moment of what I do. She seems very far away, but her tender feeling often touches me. Loving with my heart is better than talking by telephone or sending mail. I have faith in her. She is my only love.

To participate in Young Voices or to reach the writers, contact Sarah Garrecht Gassen at 573-4117 or at youngvoices@azstarnet.com.