Divided By Our Skin

We climbed as far as we could go; it was impossible to reach the top. Obstacles stood out in every way; we never stood a chance together.alone, it all felt so right. Our families said it was wrong, as two people from different countries could never get along. But every step we took, side by side, made the struggle worth it. We laughed when we stumbled, sharing simple smiles that warmed my heart. Each moment together felt like a secret world, just ours, away from what others thought.

I remember how we talked about our dreams, sitting on rocks, looking out over the valleys below. It was like magic to share those quiet moments. Even when things got tough, I felt stronger with you by my side.

Our families might not understand, but we knew the truth: love can break down walls. We found beauty in our differences and learned from each other. The way we saw the world felt special and new.

So, even if the top was out of reach, we kept climbing. Together, we turned the journey into something beautiful, reminding each other that love was worth every obstacle we faced.

One day, out of the blue, you proved them right by saying we could never be together with two families set to fight. Things never felt the same for us after this. On the eve of our six-month anniversary of when we met, you came to tell me how sorry you felt and that you were leaving to go back to India for your arranged marriage. I cried; I begged you. I stood there, heartbroken, not caring. I tried to put my arms around you, but you pushed me so hard I fell to the floor. I listened as the door shut behind you.

Your family did this. They won. I never saw or heard from you again. It was as if you were a dream. If I had money, I would have run to India to find you. I didn’t have any money, so it was done. Yes, they won.

My world ended slowly for a while. Three months later, our son—who you never knew about—was born. I slowly saw in his face a way forward. He was my priority now. I reached the top without you. The sparkle in my baby's eyes made me realize, out of forbidden love, where two countries divided our future by our skin tone and religion, we made a child so gorgeous that it revealed to me in his little face that it was meant to be, so my little man could be given life.

I often wonder what happened to you. Did you only put on a show to say goodbye because your father made you? No, I know it had to end that way. My son is my reason to wake up and live. He is my life and my only hope. When he is older and he asks about you, I will tell him I was a mere pebble he threw into the sea while waiting for his ship to come and ferry him to Bangladesh.

Yet if he ever wanted to find you as he grows, I would never stop him, as no skin tone, religion, or cultural barrier would ever stand in the way of his journey to you. In my heart, we’re all the same, created by God, and we’re all brothers and sisters—not white, brown, or black.