Stronger than the storm

Consolations

Alex

I didn't expect to find her there. It was a surprise for me, too.

I had gone out with Jenny earlier.

"Let's go have a beer somewhere." she'd said.

We had met near Hide Park and talked a lot.

"How are things going?", I asked her at one point.

She'd sighed.

I don't even know myself (1). I suspect he is cheating on me. ", she said in one breath.

And I didn't know what to do. Tell her about my suspicions or shut up? The decision was tough.

"You'll see it's just yours.", I replied instead.

When did I get so cynical? I hate to tell the truth I prefer that people hide behind a light and satisfying lie in order not to feel bad, in order not to admit the reality.

"Thanks." she'd said hugging me.

Shortly after she'd got a call: she seemed very upset.

"I have to go.", She said, leaving me there, sitting on that bench, at eleven in the evening.

So I decided to go for a walk and look for a place to eat something.

The research, however, did not give the desired results: all the premises were full and I did not want to eat with so many people around.

I ventured into side streets and finally found an empty venue. I went in and asked if it was still open.

When she came out of that kitchen I didn't understand anything anymore.

"What joke is this?", I thought.

I tried to hide my embarrassment, but I thought it was the right opportunity to get to know her more.

I asked her to sit next to me, and she started wondering about my passion, about work.

Then she asked me if I lived nearby, but I answered her generically.

And after eating, when she was clearing away, our hands touched each other, and I felt a slight shake pervading my body.

I waited for her as she closed the place, and I couldn't be lucid. So we stared at each other for an interminable time.

And the more I looked at it the more new thoughts crossed my mind.

"See you tomorrow.", I told her.

I walk again to go home and I do nothing but think about his eyes and her way of doing things.

"Is it possible that you fall in love with a perfect stranger?", I asked myself.

"Yes, possible.", Part of me answers.

"You will see that it is not so", replies the other.

Confusion.

If I had to describe what I am feeling right now I would use this word: "confusion."

I go through Hide Park and Westminister again without stopping.

I want to come home. I know Jenny will definitely be with Josh and I don't want to be a third wheel.

So I decide to sit on a bench in the main square a few meters from the abbey.

There is so much silence around.

Or maybe I am the one who silenced everything that is not part of me.