創業、自我成長｜語言不是距離，心的交流才是最深刻的橋樑

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真食律師王婷with-Arpita Dutta-原始文章

【那段改變我生命軌跡的相遇】

三年前，我懷著不安與懷疑走進事務所，從未想過迎接我的，是一位來自印度的同事。記得當時所長說：「你會有個同事叫Arpita，她是印度來的律師。」

我當下的表情大概是：「(　ﾟдﾟ)？！」腦中還閃過高中英文課偷懶不背單字的陰影。

第一天她來找我時，我緊張到不行，甚至很想躲到廁所裡迴避。大學幾乎沒跟外國人說過話，能不碰英文課就不選。她似乎看出了我的不安，柔和地說：「Take it easy.」

從那一刻起，她成為我來到事務所第一個溫暖的存在。無論我多慌張、多害怕做錯，她總是鼓勵我：「You did great!」那份耐心與接納，為我這個剛進社會的新鮮人，撐起了很多時刻的安全感與勇氣。

【語言不是距離，心的交流才是最深刻的橋樑】

從簡單的早安與午安開始，我們聊美食、聊成長、聊工作、聊家庭。她成了我用英文對話最深、也最自然的一個人。她讓我真正體悟到，交流從來不是語言有多完美，而是你是否用心地去理解與陪伴。

上次我們一起在跟實習生談話，我分享一些我的成長經歷後，Arpita默默說出一句：「現在你朝著一個目標前行很穩定，已經與最開始不同。」也讓我感受到Arpita像一位溫柔的姊姊，看著我從一個緊張、不自信、總是懷疑自己的樣子，慢慢走出自我質疑的陰霾到逐步找到一個信念想實踐，並能分享給周圍的緣分。

【我們都在用不同方式，學會溫柔地活著】

因緣際會下，在她搬遷前，能到訪家中一趟，來搬運物品的陌生人恰好是栽種植物的達人，聊著聊著，Arpita也將她親手種的盆栽轉贈給這位有緣人。在搬走前她輕輕地親吻那株植物，觸動我心裡某個開關。那瞬間，我好像了解了她三年來在我旁邊常講的那句話：「我覺得我周圍充滿祝福」。最初聽聞這句話，我不太能理解，甚至覺得是不是文化背景讓她如此從容樂觀？但瞬間，我好像理解了，她為何總說自己被祝福。原來她也用同樣的態度去看待這個世界。這讓我想起自己當年不能接下餐廳，站在拆遷現場時，那停滯於混亂場地裡的惆悵與不甘。而她，面對搬遷，卻帶著感恩與圓滿。那份溫柔，讓我學會了：放下不一定是遺憾，也可以是一種善終的祝福。

【這份無助，不是黑暗，是提醒自己還有空間成長】

看著像施工現場的家中環境，想到她要這樣打包收拾、準備回國，我一方面佩服她的獨立，一方面心裡複雜。

現階段的我，也正同時開展新計畫、經歷身心極限的拉扯，我發現我沒能給出足夠的時間與幫助，內心是有遺憾的。但這份感覺，不再如過去那樣將我拖入自責與逃避，而是一種提醒：「你還有好多地方可以變得更強大。」

三年來，我最大的蛻變不是英語能力，而是思維與心境的調整。從那個總怕出錯、總想躲起來的自己，變成如今這個願意直視困難、並想盡辦法突破的我。

【珍惜與感恩，是我們送給緣分最美的回禮】

親愛的Arpita，

謝謝你三年來的溫柔、鼓勵與陪伴，謝謝你總是那麼敏銳地看見我沒說出口的焦慮，也溫柔地接住那個脆弱的我。

我們的相遇改變了我對語言、對文化、對職場、對自己的許多看法。這份友誼如同在咖哩的烹飪過程，一點一滴地釋放香氣與滋味。在時間的火候下，那些平凡日常、細心照料、無聲守候，都變成了濃郁厚實的底蘊，陪伴彼此走過了三年。每次回想、每一次微笑、每一個擁抱，都是一種香料，混合著愛、信任與不捨，成就出只有我們懂得的滋味。

無論你在哪裡，我們都在同一片星空下，我會記得這段旅程，也會記得你。願你回到印度後，一樣被祝福包圍，也願我能把這份被愛的記憶繼續傳遞給其他人。無論何時回首，我們都會驚訝地發現—原來自己已經走了這麼遠。

【用一首詩致意我們的相遇－給我這位喜歡寫詩的友人】

Dear Arpita：在同一片星空下

我們的相遇，並非命運的華麗安排，

只是走廊裡的一次擦身而過、緊張的微笑，和一段借來的時光。

妳說：「放輕鬆。」

卻沒發現，那一刻，妳在我心裡，種下了更深的種子。

我們的友情，如同一鍋靜靜燉煮的咖哩，

不是為了展示，

而是慢慢熬煮——用信任攪拌，

用善意調味，

在一頓頓共度的午餐與一句句平凡的提問中，緩緩釋放香氣。

妳的話語不高亢，卻總留在我心裡。

「妳做得很好，」

在那些我幾乎不敢相信自己值得的日子裡，

妳的話，就像那看不見卻感受得到的香料，靜靜安放著。

妳看見我無法說出口的害怕，

卻只是用溫柔的火光回應，

不急著修補、不刻意推動——只是靜靜地在那裡，

彷彿在說：「成長，不是急促的旅程，而是一場深深活過的過程。」

如今，妳將回憶打包進紙箱，

留下那些細心照料的植物祝福，

輕吻一片葉子，像是與生活的道別，

而我，站在門口，發現自己已不再一樣。

改變，不是因為距離，

而是因為妳曾為我保留了一個可以展開自我的空間。

妳教會了我「陪伴」這門語言，

如今，我將它帶入我踏入的每一個空間。

所以，不論妳接下來踏上哪段旅程，

請記得，我帶著妳的溫暖同行。

在同一片夜空下，

我們仍靜靜為彼此加油——

在沉默中，在記憶裡，

用那種真正的友誼從未離開過的方式。

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A Journey Etched by Kindness：Language was never the distance—

it was always the heart that built the bridge.

【The Encounter That Shifted My Path】

Three years ago, I stepped into the law firm with uncertainty and hesitation, never imagining that the first person to greet me would be a colleague from India.

I still remember our boss saying, “You’ll have a colleague named Arpita. She’s a lawyer from India.”

My mind froze: “(　ﾟдﾟ)?!”

And like a flashback, all my high school memories of avoiding English vocabulary came rushing in.

The first time Arpita approached me, I was so nervous I wanted to run and hide in the restroom (true story). In college, I barely interacted with foreigners, and I dodged every English course I could. But she noticed. With a gentle smile, she simply said:

“Take it easy.”

From that moment on, she became the first warmth I encountered in the firm.

No matter how flustered or afraid I was, she would softly affirm me:

“You did great.”

Her patience, her acceptance—they gave a new graduate like me the courage to stand a little taller, a little more securely.

【It's Never About Language, But Always About Connection】

From simple greetings like “Good morning” and “Good afternoon,” we started talking—about food, about childhood, about work, and about family.

She became the person I could speak the most comfortably and deeply with in English. And I finally understood: communication isn’t about how perfect your grammar is, but how earnestly you listen, and how wholeheartedly you respond.

Once, after I had shared my own growth story with our interns, Arpita looked at me and quietly said,

“You’ve become so steady. You’re no longer the same person who started out.”

That day, I felt it deeply—Arpita was like an elder sister to me. She saw me walk through anxiety and self-doubt, and slowly shape a version of myself that dared to believe and act on a dream.

【 We All Learn to Live Gently, in Our Own Ways】

By chance, I visited her home before her relocation.

Coincidentally, the person who came to help move her belongings turned out to be a plant expert.

As they chatted, Arpita gifted him a plant she had carefully grown. Before she let it go, she kissed one of its leaves—a quiet but powerful moment.

I suddenly understood what she meant whenever she said,

“I feel surrounded by blessings.”

At first, I thought perhaps it was cultural optimism. But no—it was her choice to respond to the world with love and gratitude.

And in that moment, I realized:

what she gave that plant wasn’t just water or care.

It was presence.

It was goodbye wrapped in grace.

It reminded me of a painful memory when I couldn’t take over our family’s restaurant and stood amid its demolition with helplessness and regret.

But Arpita—she let go with a full heart, and it taught me:

letting go doesn’t have to mean loss.

It can be a beautiful closure, a soft blessing in return.

【 Helplessness Isn’t Darkness—It's an Invitation to Grow】

Watching her home slowly empty like a construction site, thinking about how she packed and prepared alone, I was struck by her quiet strength.

At the same time, I felt torn. I wished I could do more, offer more, but my current projects left me exhausted.

In the past, this would’ve sent me spiraling into guilt. But not anymore.

Now, it whispers to me gently:

“You still have room to grow. Keep going.”

My biggest transformation in these three years hasn’t been my English.

It’s been my mindset, my heart.

I went from the girl who hid at any sign of difficulty,

to someone who stares at her limits—

not with fear, but with the will to grow beyond them.

【To Arpita, With Gratitude and Grace】

Dear Arpita,

Thank you for these three years of quiet support, encouragement, and sisterly love.

Thank you for sensing the fears I never voiced, and meeting them with unwavering gentleness.

Our friendship changed how I see language, culture, the workplace, and myself.

Like a slow-simmered curry, this connection released its depth not in loud declarations, but through small gestures—consistency, care, and silent companionship.

Every moment shared, every smile, every hug—

they’ve become spices in our shared recipe,

blending love, trust, and a touch of longing into something only we understand.

Wherever you go, we remain under the same sky.

I’ll remember this journey.

I’ll remember you.

And I’ll pass on this memory of being loved,

in the hope that someone else, somewhere,

feels just as held,

just as seen.

With love, always,

Ting

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Dear Arpita, Under the Same Sky

We didn't meet through grand design,

Just a hallway, a nervous smile, and borrowed time.

You said, "Take it easy"—

Not knowing you were planting something deeper in me.

We brewed our friendship like a quiet curry,

Not for show, but slowly—stirred with trust,

Flavored with kindness,

Simmered through shared lunches and small questions.

Your words were not loud, but they stayed.

"You did great,"

On days I could barely believe in myself.

Like spices unseen, but always felt.

You saw the fears I couldn’t name,

And answered them with gentle flames.

Not fixing, not pushing—just being,

As if to say, “Growth isn’t rushed. It’s lived.”

And now you pack memories in boxes,

Leave potted blessings behind,

Kiss a leaf like it's a goodbye,

And I stand at the threshold—changed.

Not by distance,

But by the space you held for me to unfold.

You taught me the language of presence,

And now I carry it in every room I enter.

So wherever you walk next,

Know a part of your warmth walks with me.

And under the same night sky,

We’re still quietly cheering for each other—

In silence, in memory,

In the way that true friendship never really leaves.

✮作者簡介：F&W法庭外見-真食律師王婷，「最感性的律師，最理性的朋友」