the most important day of my life
...alked to the nearest convenience store to buy milk for breakfast. My wife was waiting for me in our small affordable hotel room, Which was the best for a refugee, who had come to Vienna and was seeking asylum in the United States. As I walked towards the store, I was aware that my concentration was miles away, worried about the results of the interview I had a week ago with the American counsel. This was the interview geared for people who seek asylum. It deals with backgrounds of the applicants, the reason for leaving the country of origin and the reasons why one had chosen the United States to go to. That was an important interview because its result would determine weather or not we would be admitted to the United States. As I walked I noticed the town was in a deafening silence. The only noise I could hear was the sound made by the friction of my shoes with the snow. I wanted to shout; maybe I could put a hole in this uncomfortable silence that had enveloped the city. But I realized it was too cold and too quiet, that shouting will do no good. Have you ever had a telephone call that you looked forward to and at the same time dread? The resultant conflict is a war between your optimistic against your pessimistic side. It is as if saying “call if there is good news, but otherwise be silent.” The day continued in the most boring manner. I was also aware that my wife was in the hotel room alone watching the news on TV waiting for my return. At that time my wife and I were married for two years and in a way I felt guilty for asking her to leave her parents and her homeland. Although, she was perfectly in agreement with me for moving to the United States, but still I felt that she was doing it because of me. It was too cold to go outside and too depressing to stay in. Besides I was waiting for the all important phone call. That is when all the doubts crept in. Did I do the right thing leaving my home, my parents, and my friends? I was entering a new land based on some intangible promises while leaving a well established lifestyle behind. At this time, in a strange land, I craved a reassuring word from anyone. I was desolate, depressed and discouraged. I could imagine the state of mind my wife was in. She must have been equally devastated. But she never complained. The time dragged on and on. Gradually ...