Through your eyes

Jannah

Dear Diary,

Today is going to be just like all the others. Perfectly Normal

J x

I'm nervous, but I am trying this thing where I tell myself I'm fine so it's going to be fine. I'm meeting Sadie's parents. I'm used to feeling anxious at these events but I really wanted everything to go well. For Sadie's sake, she respects her parents opinions.  But as soon as we stepped into the room I saw him. I didn't really expect us to interact because there's so many people here already. I'm sure he is busy, he's the guest of honour and all. But then Sadie led us right to him and of course the couple he was talking to were the parents I was so nervous to meet. Just my luck.

...

Mr Madden left after our brief interaction. It was weird and left me slightly confused. Obviously he remembered me, I was embarrassed that he started singing my praises, but grateful in a way as well. Sadie's dad obviously respects him so I could tell hearing that warmed him right up. I don't know if it's because I'm wearing a hijab, or he's just like that with all of his daughters friends, but only after hearing Mr Maddens approval did he decide I was going to be part of his family. Of course, Sadie constantly mentioning my name over the last couple of months definitely helped.

After that interaction Mr Madden is nowhere to be seen. Not that I'm looking for him. It's just that his presence is so strong my eyes found him as soon as I stepped into the room. Solely for the reason he's a powerful man. Im not a romantic, we had one interaction, he's still a stranger as far as I am concerned.

Genuinely, I've never had a crush or romantic feelings for anyone. I used to think there was something wrong with me, but I'm not bothered by it anymore. My path is set for me, marriage will heavily be decided by my parents, even then it's ages away. Also it's helped me in my faith for the fact that I don't find it at all difficult to lower my gaze. Yes I can see when someone is conventionally good looking, like if they have a symmetrical face, nice eyes, good hair and so on. But Ive never had feelings or urges to act upon it. So yeah Mr Madden is a just a stranger, a stranger who helped me.

It's weird how Allah sends messages through people. I guess he was one of those for me.

...

Dinner is served whilst we chat with Sadie's parents. If I had any doubt of how Sadie got these tickets it's gone when we have seats reserved at her parents table instead of in the student section. So I sit next to Sadie enjoying the delicious dinner, listening to my tables occupants talk mergers and acquisitions. Honestly, it's one of the more interesting dinners I've been too. As a student, you're often invisible to the business folk so I sit and gather intel from their loose lips. Most of it isn't useful for my career profession but it's still interesting nonetheless.

After dinner, the Dean takes to the stage and gives a generic speech of how great Cambridge is. How lucky we are to be here and I roll my eyes. Yes, Cambridge is going to open doors we couldn't even imagine. But we worked hard to get here, surely we deserve it. Also, only about 10% of the student population are people of colour, the representation here really needs to change. It just makes me frustrated. This university has some inherent issues, racism and elitism is up there.

I tune out most of what he's saying and look around the room. At least the hall is done up pretty. And then Elliot Madden is on the stage.

"Good evening, Thank you for the much too generous introduction Dean Harper."

The crowd laughs. Of course he's an excellent speaker, everyone's eyes are on him captivated and he hasn't even started talking yet.

"Firstly, I would like to congratulate all the students for making it through another academic year. This celebration is for them so I would like to raise a toast to all of their hard work."

All of the students hollar, the rest of the alumni and partners look slightly shocked or mildly amused. It's funny that the Dean didn't mention us once.

"I won't talk for long, I know you all are busy."

Another amused laugh trickles through the hall. As if anyone was busy for Elliot Madden. In fact I doubt anyone is busier than him.

"Or maybe you'd just like to get the party started."

"Hell yeah." Someone from the back hollers.

Madden chuckles.

"I'll take that as my cue to get this started. When I was a student, way back in school many people underestimated me. Treated me as a fool who couldn't dot his I's or cross his T's. Whilst they misunderstood this as my weakness I made it my strength. I heard things I wasn't supposed to, learned things I wasn't supposed to. All because people treated me as invisible.

I took it all and made myself work harder, so that they would be forced to look me in the eye. I promised myself I would never be treated as inferior again. And whilst the cohort of Cambridge is leagues above my year 10 class, you are still students. And people still don't see you, don't treat you as you deserve, for what you've worked for. Of course I hope that folk in the industry will change, but while things remain this way, I hope you see that this can be your strength too."

He pauses, all the time looking to the back of the hall to the students section.

"The brightest minds in the country are gathered in this room, I'm sure you'll all go on to create something way more successful than Echo.
Thank you for inviting me, and I hope we can change things for the better".

A roar of applause from the students follows as Madden descends the stage and returns to his table.

All I've heard about Elliot Madden is that he's ruthless, cut-throat and a perfectionist. Yet him standing here, sounding human, is a complete contradiction. Actually acknowledging us students, being the first speaker to not make this event about him, treating us as equal, it's refreshing. It's admirable.