Sometimes, I think that my favorite people in the world are the people I will never see again.
There are so many people I have come across in everyday situations, like on the bus or in a queue or in the street, that have just stuck in my mind.
I don’t know these people’s names, where they’re from or where their going. But our limited time spent in conversation has been more than enough to keep them fresh in my memory for years to come.
I remember specifically, about three years ago I met a boy at the bus stop. I think it was raining that day. We had both just missed the bus by minutes so we ended up sitting there together on the bench for about 15-20 minutes waiting for the next one.
We didn’t really talk. We just kind of sat there, about half a meter away from each other quietly smoking our cigarettes. I think at one point we may have introduced ourselves and I definitely recall him asking to borrow my lighter, but other than that, we just smiled at each other occasionally.
Once the bus finally came, he sat down in the seat in front of me. I could see him looking out the window and his eyes flicker in my direction out of the corner of his eye every so often. I really wanted to say something. To reach forward and tap him on the shoulder; start up a conversation. But my arm lay lifeless in my lap, and I kept my mouth shut. I don’t know why. I’m not usually the type that has any problem striking up a conversation, even with somebody I don’t know. I just couldn’t do it this time.
When it came to his stop, he stood up really slowly. I don’t know if it was because I knew he was leaving and I perhaps found myself savoring every second I had left, or if he was purposely taking his time. He turned around to face me and opened his mouth as if he was going to say something.
I waited, looking right into his eyes. The bus came to a halt. He said nothing. I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn’t come out. I couldn’t believe this! “Just say something!” I remember thinking.
He smiled, as if he’d heard me or something. He then simply winked at me, and stepped off the bus.
Of course, I never saw him again.
I still think about that boy today. I don’t know what it was about him. Just one of those things, I guess.
Sometimes, I wish I’d had got to know him.
But when I really think about it, I’m glad I didn’t.
If I had, I wouldn’t feel the same way about the memory, would I?
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
It may well be worth it.
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2 comments:
Once, I guess it was about 2 years ago when I was in college i had an encounter with what was probably the girl of my dreams but i guess i will never know. It was after sociology i had walked outside to have a cigarette and while i was sitting there smoking a girl came and sat on the bench across from me. i could tell she was pissed about something so i said to her "Rough day?" and she then started in on the ridiculous day she had, which was more than i really asked for. she even got up and moved to sit next to me. Initially i was thinking please shut up and go away but the more she talked the more i was entranced by her quirky behavior. She talked to me for close to 30 minutes. After that she stood up and simply smiled and said "Thank you" and i replied with "Anytime" Then comes the worst part. I let her walk away without so much as a name. I felt like an idiot and i looked for her for like 2 weeks after our encounter. But I never saw her again. Sometimes I am such a moron, but i still remember that 30 minutes and she was one of the coolest people that i had ever had the pleasure of talking to, or really listening to as i didn't talk much.
Wow man. That's amazing. I can definately relate.
It's terrible when something like that happens, but at the same time, if you had got to know her, you may have grown apart over time. And the memory wouldn't mean as much to you.
Maybe there was a reason you never saw eachother again. :)
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