Something of Myself
Monday, June 09, 2008
Monday, June 02, 2008
It was a matter of chance. He had seen her several times before this day but did not muster the courage to build up a conversation. One-liners or pick up lines was never his forte and he never wanted to 'pick' her up or 'pick' on her!
But like all good things in life, this was also a matter of chance.
So, amidst the sea of people he walked up to her with a drink and thus began -
'You look lovely tonight. Where did you get this dress from?'
She smiled - the sweet taste of coyness overpowering his senses. He was in a daze.
'Oh, thank you so much for your compliment. I got this as a gift on our first anniversary.'
'You married?' - not realising that this was a very stupid question to ask...
'Yes. I have a 3 year old son.'
After that usual pleasantries were exchanged at the end of the party but she kept coming back to haunt him in his thoughts. He felt like a teenager. Here was a chance of an adventure that could cost him his marriage. He leapt at it.
They met several times and enjoyed Mocha at the same coffee shop week after week. He then realised that this was not just about the flesh, there was more to it. Sex would be a culmination of the initial attraction, but the union of the minds was what drove him to wilderness. After all, how many women do you meet in your life who understand your senses, your emotions, your past, your fears...? ONE at best, none, most likely.
I am often presented with this difficulty of narrating people's experiences for it comes to me as a story. It is like playing chinese whispers. You hardly get to the meat, forever relying on hear-say. But then again, I am told that they got into a relationship - a pretty serious sort of a relationship. They gave up their marriages. But they never got married. I am led to believe that when it came to the big decision, he walked out. Crumbled.
She was left with nothing. She went through the five phases beginning with denial, but then realised that holding on would hardly guarantee a 'relationship.' She let him go. And with that, all of his shortcomings and broken promises. She held on to the prized moments, the half a minute conversation, the quickie by the river-side, the sense of union, the days when he unashamedly confessed his love for her. It made her strong, from within and it also left an indelible impression on her heart, for she knew that he was her greatest mentor and mentee.
Like I said, it was a matter of 'chance'...
But like all good things in life, this was also a matter of chance.
So, amidst the sea of people he walked up to her with a drink and thus began -
'You look lovely tonight. Where did you get this dress from?'
She smiled - the sweet taste of coyness overpowering his senses. He was in a daze.
'Oh, thank you so much for your compliment. I got this as a gift on our first anniversary.'
'You married?' - not realising that this was a very stupid question to ask...
'Yes. I have a 3 year old son.'
After that usual pleasantries were exchanged at the end of the party but she kept coming back to haunt him in his thoughts. He felt like a teenager. Here was a chance of an adventure that could cost him his marriage. He leapt at it.
They met several times and enjoyed Mocha at the same coffee shop week after week. He then realised that this was not just about the flesh, there was more to it. Sex would be a culmination of the initial attraction, but the union of the minds was what drove him to wilderness. After all, how many women do you meet in your life who understand your senses, your emotions, your past, your fears...? ONE at best, none, most likely.
I am often presented with this difficulty of narrating people's experiences for it comes to me as a story. It is like playing chinese whispers. You hardly get to the meat, forever relying on hear-say. But then again, I am told that they got into a relationship - a pretty serious sort of a relationship. They gave up their marriages. But they never got married. I am led to believe that when it came to the big decision, he walked out. Crumbled.
She was left with nothing. She went through the five phases beginning with denial, but then realised that holding on would hardly guarantee a 'relationship.' She let him go. And with that, all of his shortcomings and broken promises. She held on to the prized moments, the half a minute conversation, the quickie by the river-side, the sense of union, the days when he unashamedly confessed his love for her. It made her strong, from within and it also left an indelible impression on her heart, for she knew that he was her greatest mentor and mentee.
Like I said, it was a matter of 'chance'...
