I guess we really are guided by fate. Things didn’t go the way they usually do that day. The alarm did not ring, then before I went out I realized that I forgot to turn off the water in the sink, a sponge got there and started to drown everything. Next thing I knew, my shuttle just flew past me and I decided to catch a car.
A beautiful SUV stopped, something about it confused me, but I was running late and got in. I told him where I was going. It seemed to me that the man didn’t understand me, so I repeated, adding to my words a landmark that everyone in the city knew exactly.
The driver was quiet the whole time, and when we arrived I tried to give him money, but he silently shook his head, letting me know that there was no need. By evening I had already forgotten all about him. I was exhausted from my work, so I hardly waited until evening and went home.
But when I came out, I saw the same car and the driver next to it, who was giving me a ride. He was handing me a bouquet of flowers and a note: “Hi, I’m Adam. I’m deaf and dumb, but a very nice guy. Let’s get acquainted.” I couldn’t figure out if this was a joke, he finished on a piece of paper, “I can read lips.”
I turned around and walked away without taking the bouquet. If this is a joke, it’s not funny, and if it’s true, then I need this kind of relationship. Although of course I really wanted a relationship – I had been single for a long time, but at that moment for some reason I was very confused and found it difficult. The next day he waited for me again, and then again, after two weeks, I gave up. I went over and told him that I agreed to sit in a cafe.
Turns out he really is a great guy. I spoke, and he watched my face carefully, reading the words on my lips-it embarrassed me at first, but then I got used to it. He typed the answer quickly on his smartphone. It was also difficult that many people were looking at us.
The four months that we dated were the happiest, all my free time I learned sign language. Of course sometimes I was confused, but I was good at it. And then he asked me to marry him. I agreed to get married.
Getting to know my parents was very difficult. My mom didn’t take it well with him or the news of the wedding. When my mother and I were alone with each other, she began to dissuade me, others dissuaded me as well. Told me how it would be hard to communicate with him in company, how hard it would be for the children, etc. I let it pass me by. For me his problem was just a small thing, it had no effect on our lives, on my feelings, but for them it was just unacceptable.
We did get married. Only a few friends came from my side, my parents didn’t go to my wedding-said I betrayed them.
My life is not at all different from what it used to be. The company is sometimes difficult, our acquaintances do not understand sign language, and to wait until my husband dials the phone for them is long. Of course I voice what he says, but my acquaintances are embarrassed.
We have been married for eight years – our seven-year-old son has a wonderful understanding of sign language and communicates with his father. He has no hearing or speech problems. Only a couple of years after my grandson was born my mother started to thaw out and come to visit us, but I can see that she is still uncomfortable communicating with her husband. But I don’t know why, I hope it’s regret that she didn’t accept him right away.
