When I see a stranger

I was sitting on a bench in the park when he entered my sight. Now I am staring hard at him. Copper red hair, white skin, lean frame, sharp features, hazel eyes…..

‘Hazel’

Something shines in my brain.

‘Hazel’

Nah! Nothing. But hazel is indeed a beautiful colour for eyes.

I am looking all around now. My gaze jumping from a group of merry children playing in the sand pit to a forlorn old lady sitting on a bench. Back and forth. Back and forth. And absentmindedly I am again scoping the stranger.

I cannot read him. What is he thinking about? A donut? A number of donuts? A whole mountain of donuts? I am really very hungry.

I study his features. Sharp features with no curves, just edges. There is no expression on his face. His face is emotionless like that of a statue, or more appropriately, an effigy.

‘Effigy’

Interesting word! I like its taste on my tongue. The way it makes my tongue hang in the vacuum of my mouth is interesting.

‘Effigy’

‘Eh-fuh-jee’

Sounds weird. Why is it even a word?

Anyway.....Why is he wearing black? Someone he loved must have died. Someone close. Someone dear. Or maybe not. Maybe it was someone worthless. Someone just ‘someone’. Maybe I know this ‘someone’. I might have crossed him on the street sometime. I may shed a tear for the departed soul. But I don’t have to.

I look at my wrist watch. I should leave now. But what about the stranger? Should I ask for his permission to leave? Should I tell him that his eyes are beautiful? Should I ask him if he likes donuts? Should I thank him for helping me with the intriguing discovery about ‘effigy’? Should I say a few words of condolence for the departed? Should I apologise to him for staring? Nah! He is just a stranger. You don’t greet, acknowledge, apologise or comfort strangers. You are not bound to perform any formality. You don’t have to think hard. You can just come and go. This freedom is the best part about strangers. I like strangers.