take a peek at the hum of my mind

The Girl Speaks:

As usual he was aloof and kind of scary to approach. I would have mistaken him for someone asleep if it were not for his hand moving occassionally to his mouth so he could take a puff of his cigarette. I approached the mango tree where he was lounging, passing off the rest of our lunch break. I had to make an effort to leave my giggling friends behind, just so I could approach him.

I slumped beside him. 

Pretty hot today, don’t you think?

His eyes slowly opened, at first just an inch, and I can feel his stare taking me in – as if he saw me for the first time. It seemed forever before his mind would return to where we were at the present and before he could place my name with my face.

Liza, right? Yes. Today is one of the hottest days of the year. But ain’t everyday the same?

He was actually talking to me. I couldn’t quite believe my ears. Furthermore he remembered my name. 

That was the start. A simple conversation over the weather. A simple name remembered. From a lazy afternoon, a friendship bloomed. A friendship I wished would transgress to deeper levels but I knew was never possible. Would never happen. No matter how hard I try.

The Guy Speaks:

I was listening to some now forgotten rock song when amidst the blare of my earphones I heard her voice. She was asking about the weather – the most convenient topic of small talk. But I’m good at this. I have always been good with small talk.

Soon she was sharing her life story. Before the break was over, I knew her ambitions in life, her goals and dreams, and why she was working instead of studying in school. I knew her already based on what she said. I can see that she was mature for her years. It took a lot of courage on her part to quit school, travel 5 hours from her town and work in an industry reputed to harbor all vices known to mankind. It took maturity and wisdom for her to decide the way she decided.

Before we knew it, we had agreed to spend the weekend together. Her set of friends all had families in the nearby towns and were going home to spend the weekend with them. Money matters plus family issues compelled her to stay put and not return home. I had my own reasons for not braving the long journey back home. If I go back to my hometown, I may not return to continue training. 

And so we decided to keep each other company.

Previous: Intro

Next: Complication

Menu