Hello readers,
After a long hiatus, I’m thrilled to share another of my memorable encounters with a beautiful soul I recently met.
The date, 14th August 2024, is one I will never forget. It will be etched into my
memories and my life’s story, but the tale actually began on 8th August. That day, a
WhatsApp notification popped up on my phone. Since I was at work, I didn’t check it immediately, especially as it came from an unknown number. I didn’t give it much thought at first. It wasn’t until later, during my commute home on the metro, that I finally read the message. As we all know, the metro is the perfect place to catch up on messages and pass the time. The message was unexpected. It was from someone named Derin, an intern at the Lisbon Project—the NGO I fondly consider my second home in Lisbon.
To my surprise, Derin wanted to learn about my life journey, particularly my last six months in Lisbon. No one had ever expressed such interest before. Intrigued by her request, and driven by my love for connecting with people, I was eager to meet her.
But, hold on, readers—this story isn’t about me and my journey. The real story is just beginning, and it revolves around the remarkable young woman, Derin Su, whom I met to share my experiences.
The day before our meeting, Derin asked for my preferred location, and I was both
surprised and excited when I looked into the place she suggested. The location was a beautiful garden, a place that made me truly happy. As a plant lover, I find joy in being surrounded by greenery. During our first meeting, I not only shared my life journey with her, but I also learned a great deal about Derin. She inspired me, making me realise that there are still good people in the world because of their deeds.
Derin, a young woman just out of her teens, hails from Turkey and is currently in Lisbon for an internship with the Lisbon Project. She creates documentaries about
her own story, as well as others’ stories, raising awareness about struggles and how to overcome them. Despite her young age, her level of maturity is extraordinary. Her personality, spontaneous nature, and beautiful heart stand out. In a generation
where people often have zero tolerance and cling to their comfort zones, I found a
pure soul in her. Our conversation was so engaging that we lost track of time.
Dear readers, one day you will undoubtedly get to know her life journey directly from her, and I, too, am eagerly waiting for that day. That evening, I came back home, reflecting on the memories of our meeting. A few days later, we met again, though this time for a shorter period. I have no idea whether we will meet again, as she will be returning to Turkey soon. But I sincerely pray for her to have an extraordinary life, and I hope she receives all the happiness she deserves.
✍️ Prabhamayee Parida
Living Refresh 