Have you ever met someone seemingly random, even minuscule, who, looking back, played a monumental role in your life?

Well, I did.

It happened in the most unexpected way possible. I was going to write a life-changing exam. And after finding my seat, I sat and prayed. I kept praying and taking deep breaths while arguing with my brain that I am enough to succeed even though my heart uttered what my mind didn’t believe.

It was a battle of self. I was at the center of it all.

And I was losing.

My mind whispered failure. But my heart rebuked it.

My heart asked – “What do you say to failure?” And as I was about to answer, “Not today” My mind suddenly jumped in to say, “Today is the day you fail.”

It was antagonizing. I couldn’t even face myself, much less fight the war. And timing? It was poor. Very poor.

As a person of faith, I kept praying as I took deep breaths and prayed for divine help. I knew I wasn’t ready. And then, at that very instance, I heard:

“We are wearing the same color.”

I looked up and saw a beautiful woman wearing a blue vest.

“Oh yes, we are. Hi” I said. I could tell that she was one of the test proctors.

“It’s one of my favorite colors. I love this shade of blue, which I like to call pastelish baby blue.” I responded — and quietly wondered if she knew that even though I had curated my outfit for the exam, I didn’t feel confident. I didn’t feel ready.

“It looks so beautiful on you.”

“Thank you.” I replied, forcing a smile.

“Are you ready for the exam?” She asked me.

“Yes” I answered. Even though I knew I wasn’t.

Somehow, our conversation evolved — from my outfit, to where I was from, and then to my story and life experiences.

“Oh my”. She said. You are such a brave young girl.”

“Sorry?” I asked, surprised.

“Yes.” She responded. “The fact that you are seated in this hall to write this exam, after everything you’ve been through, speaks to who you are as a person. And it’s crazy that you are here, in a new city, all by yourself.”

“You should be proud. Your father must be proud of you. I am proud of you.”

“Thank you.” I muttered resisting the urge to cry.

“Oh no worries. I am beyond certain that you will succeed. Your spirit is unbreakable, and I am sure you will do very well. You should be proud.”

But how should I be proud? I thought.

Never in my life have I entered into an examination hall with the thought that I could actually fail. Score less than excellent yes, but to fail? Never. However, this was the very first time in a long time that I doubted myself and my capabilities.

It wasn’t intentional. But unlike the very core of what I stand for, I allowed something external to control me.

I thanked her and we said our goodbyes.

And then, the countdown began. It was time.

I said a quick prayer and then flipped through my pages. The questions looked strange. The answers? Strange-rrrr. At that point my mind wanted to jump in, but I kept praying as I miniminimanimoed some of my answers while using logic to answer others – all while replaying what the woman in the blue vest said to me.

I looked up and I noticed I was running behind time.

“Oh God,” I whispered. “It’s you and I here. Please help me finish — even if I end up failing.”

The countdown hit zero.

At that moment, my mind leaped for joy. My heart, however, grew quiet. It tried to pacify me while my mind celebrated its win. My heart told me the result wasn’t out yet — that I could always rewrite it.

My heart succumbed to defeat as I heard it say, “one single failure doesn’t define you.” “You should be proud.” “Your father must be proud of you.” “I am proud of you.”

Deep down, I still fought this defeat even though I believed it.

The war had ended but the battle had just begun.

Then came the D-day. A pop-up notification. I had waited for this moment.

I picked up my phone. God — the network was jammed. Suddenly, my palms started dancing. Were they excited? But why would they be? And then, I felt it. A stream flowed down my face. “What’s going on?”

Then — the moment finally came.

I saw the 6-letter word – “Passed.” I made it!

I immediately called my mom, crying. She started crying too, thinking I had failed. “No mummy, I passed.” “I made it. I made it.”

Alhamdulilah, all praise be to God, said my mom.

“You did this. I always knew you would. You are smart and I never for once doubted you.”

But I doubted myself, I thought. This wasn’t me, it was… Immediately, my thoughts were interrupted by the woman in the blue vest.

It was the divine message. Except this time, it came in my mom’s voice – “You should be proud.” “Your father must be proud of you.” “I am proud of you.”

And this time, I believed it.

Sometimes, all it takes is a kind word from a stranger to shift something deep inside us — to remind us that we are still standing, still trying, still worthy.

Have you ever had your own pastelish baby blue moment — a quiet reminder, wrapped in the ordinary, that helped you keep going?