Being single deserves a pitying look?

I suddenly recall an incident (or rather conversation) quite some time ago.

I was at the surau at the office. I've seen this particular lady around, although we've never been properly introduced. Neither do we know much about each other, other than our (first) names.

Anyway, I guess I had a little spare time. So we got to talking a little. She asked me how old I was, and so I answered. Turned out she was just a year older than me.

Next question?
"Dah kawin?"

I told her: "Belum"

She then gave me this look filled with pity, and told me:
"Takper lah. Belum masa lagi kan? Tak apa. Jangan risau. Dulu awak belajar tinggi eh?"

Stupefied and speechless, I just nodded (a reaction I'll regret forever).
She said: "Saya dulu tak belajar tinggi. Lepas SPM dah kahwin. Ni (pointing to her tummy - she's pregnant apparently) nombor 5."

Eh, HELLO?! Did I ask to be pitied? And what the hell has my education level got to do with when I get married? Are you suggesting that I made a mistake when I pursued my studies?

Look, I know people out there who feels GLORIFIED that they've tied the knot. And they feel that those poor souls out there who hasn't found "The One" deserve to be looked upon with pity.

I'm not denying that I might be missing out things because I'm not married. But the way I see it, you married people might be missing out a few things as well. Hmm, I guess your nose is too high up in the air to notice wonderful things here at ground level. Being married is NOT everything. Being single doesn't always mean you're worse-off.

I am not ruling out marriage. Honestly I'm not. I believe if you're meant to get married, then one day you will. It doesn't have to be at the age of 24, you know.

An akad being performed when you're 30 still holds true. So does an akad at the age of 55. It shouldn't matter at what age you tie the knot.

However, we live in a society that sometimes look down on unmarried women above the age of 25. And members of society talk, and give their views and advice. Welcomed or otherwise.

To those married people (especially the women), the next time you feel like pitying an unmarried friend, don't. 'Cause you'll never know that maybe one day, that same friend might be the one looking at you with the look of pity in their eyes.
Why, you ask? I don't know. Only Allah knows. What goes around comes around, remember?

And I believe that Allah is fair and all-knowing. He might give you one thing, and He might bestow a different gift to me.

So don't pity me. I don't need it. Thanks anyway.