Dear Stranger

Dear Stranger,

I see you everyday. Yes obviously, I wanted to talk to you every time we crossed paths. But something stopped me from doing so. So here is what all of it meant.

Behind every reluctant smile was a "I wish we could talk but I am in a hurry."

Behind every enthusiastic and melodious Hiiii was a "I didn't know you hangout here but anyways I am glad to see you."

Behind every awkward elevator encounter was a "Should I talk or will it seem really desperate?"

Behind every casual and mandatory "What's up?" was "Can I at least know your name and probably your Instagram handle?"

Behind every prolonged stare was "I had a bad day and I want you to sit down and listen to me rant."

But I never talked to you. Because I know that if you talk, you would become an acquaintance. If we start exchanging greetings, we would be those casual greeting friends. If we start talking in elevators, we would be friends on social media, losing our friendship to virtuality. If you did sit down and listen to my problems, you would become my friend, just like my other friends.

I don't talk to you because I don't want to ruin this strange bond we share. We do not expect anything from each other. Without exchanging words we know what the other one is going through. We just see each other and know things and I hope it stay exactly the same. In our silence I find peace and chaos are forgotten.

Sincerely,

The stranger you see every day