So Close,yet So Far

A simple photo

It was Christmas day. I was sitting under a tree in the park. I looked up and saw couples all around,hugging,walking hand in hand and some even kissing. It made me wonder why I,out of all people, had to be alone on such a romantic holiday. I was waiting for my girlfriend who I had been dating for the past year. It was already 8 and we had planned to meet at 6. Was she never going to come? Was i meant to spend Christmas alone? My phone buzzed. I checked thinking it was her and I got a single text message that destroyed me.
"I'm sorry Kurt. It's not you,it's me. I just can't be with you anymore. I don't think we are made for each other. I think we should start seeing other people. It's the best for you and me."
A text message. Not even in person. Tears welled up in my eyes. I bit my lip refusing to let them out. I was 16 and had already had 3 girlfriends. She was my third. I never seemed to be able to find ms.perfect. Everyone had left me because of some reason or the other. I was so busy in searching for Ms. Perfect that I had forgotten my friends and they soon left me too. I sighed and thought' Maybe I just don't deserve anyone. I'm probably better off alone.' I decided to get up and go home. Reaching home, my mom asked,"Kurt, are you back? Did Veronica have some work? " I replied," Yes mom,with another guy." Mom peeked out of the kitchen and said,"Kurt,baby, it's ok. I'm sure that's how it was meant to be. No need to dwell over it for long. You can move on, I'm sure of it."
I mumbled a thank you and went back to my room. I was supposed to feel depressed but I had felt sad only for some time after reading the message. It was probably because I didn't have feelings for her even though I had tried to convince myself I did. In that case then, this was for the better. I lied down on my bed looked up at the ceiling and closed my eyes,drifting into a dreamless slumber.

'When would I find the perfect girl for Me? Is all this searching even worth it? Will I ever be able to find her?' I woke up with a start and then thought that it was all a dream. Going down and seeing my mom make my favourite dish and trying her hardest to cheer me up made me realize it wasnt. I realized I would probably see her at my school. Another awkward meeting. We go home the same way and I definitely didn't want to bump into her. I went to school using a different route and did the same on the way back and didn't leave class in the break. That seemed to do the trick. I didn't see her all day.
A month has passed since then. I was over veronica and had hardly seen her since. Even if i did, i avoided eye contact and any communication.My mother asked me to go to the supermarket for eggs and butter. I hated the supermarket. The old ladies there always gave me weird looks but I had to go for my mother. I went there got the eggs and butter,paid and left. While walking back home, someone called out to me. "Excuse me!" It was a girl, I would say about 13 years old. "Is this yours?" She said as she held a photo out. It was a picture of baby me that I kept in my purse. "Yeah. Thank you. I'm sorry you had to take all that trouble." I said,feeling slightly embarrassed. "No no,not at all." She replied shaking her head."Umm,is that your photo? Oh, I'm sorry to be so rude! " "No not at all. It is me actually when I was 3 years old." I replied. "Wow. You look adorable." She said,grinning. "Oh look at the time, I must take my leave now. I'll see you later then!" She said as she ran away, her hair flowing in the wind. "Bye!" I shouted back. That was quite a weird encounter, i thought as I headed back home.