The face

 

Life can be monotonous and most of it is. Our routine as we call it, is a monotonous schedule which gives you a break only on weekends and some fortunate holidays. Otherwise it's just almost the same with a change in shade here or there.

I too have a similar one and it begins quite quite early in morning. As I drive to my work place and take my vehicle that shall take me to my destination, there is this late middle-aged face that I face everyday.

The lady in discussion is someone I see each day and we wave at each other every single day. However, it all did not begin like this. Madam comes to drop her granddaughter for school. She would be there sitting on the park bench and waiting  for the school van that picks her granddaughter to school. I used to see her everyday. I do not know who she is, in which flat she lives and not even her name. 

Initially, as her time to drop her granddaughter and my time to leave my appartment used to be same, we just looked at each other as I drove by. Then slowly Madam became an unknown acquaintance, and our relationship moved from just an eye contact to a smile. Over days, this changed to waving a goodbye to me and I too would reciprocate.

One would think, why such a trivial incident finds a mention here. That is exactly what I wish to explain. Over the days, though this was a simple affair, I realised we both looked for one another. If there are other people there, still our little ritual would continue. I would search for the hand waving me the goodbye and make sure I do wave back. 

One day, I didn't see Madam. Three days consecutively the same thing happened. The face was missing and somehow I was feeling disturbed. On the fourth day, I decided I would find out her flat number and pay a visit to find out what happened. However, the fourth day, Madam was again there waving her goodbye to me and unknowingly a strange feeling of relief was there within me.

I felt happy that she was back - hale and hearty. Her little goodbye always makes me feel good. Sometimes when I leave home upset over something, and I see Madam suddenly the mood changes. Her goodbye shifts my focus from the feeling-low to feeling-good. I never noticed this change her goodbyes had on me till it was missing for that gap of three days. Till day I do not know her name or whereabouts. The only thing that connects us is the simple goodbye we share on my way to work.

This little incident often reminds me how little things are important and how we forget to value things we have until we are separated from them either temporarily or permanently.

Our little goodbyes are still a part of my monotonous routine and probably hers as well.

Take care

Regards

SRN