"A Beautiful Stranger"
I find it hard to understand many things in the world that, in my humble opinion, simply shouldn't exist. If only we had the wonderful fortune of them not existing, I'm sure we'd all be happier. One such example is the wars that go hand in hand with fights—some as absurd as those we experience in our everyday lives, conflicts that could have been avoided.
Like the one I might have been able to avoid just a few minutes ago at work. I faced an injustice: my payment was delayed. I argued heatedly with my dear boss, and what I often notice in these cases is that when feelings of powerlessness and anger overwhelm me, without meaning to, I begin to cry.
Crying is like that storm that you never know when it will break loose and do as it pleases.
And since I can't help but hold back so many tears, I get stressed, and then everyone around me starts looking at me with pity. So, before committing an act of hate, I decided to gather my things and leave that place as quickly as possible.
Then now here I am on Bogotá's well-known public transportation, surrounded by countless backs shielding me from a potential fall—I can't even hold onto the seats. Still, I feel a bit relieved because no one is watching me cry. That's right, ever since I left the building where I work, I haven't stopped thinking about all the negative feelings my boss creates in me.
That old creep—not only does he harass every young woman in his company, including me—but he also dares not pay me, as if my work were free.
A few minutes pass, and finally I manage to grab onto a handrail near the seats, just as most of the standing passengers get off at a station. I tell myself that now is the time to take a deep breath and think of something else. I try to focus on the majesty of cats—their paws, their whiskers, their eyes—but it isn't enough. The argument with my boss returns like an annoying echo.
Then I close my eyes, trying to hold back the surge of emotions threatening to burst forth, until…
—Excuse me, miss.
I open my eyes abruptly.
I observe a young man with a slender and elegant figure, with long hair, sitting in front of me. His inquisitive gaze pierces me. How embarrassing! He must have seen my swollen eyes. I avoid his gaze and murmur:
—Don't worry, tell me.
—You look tired, —he says, pausing; his voice is soft, almost a whisper.— Don't you want to sit down?
Surprised, I look at the seats around me.
—But all the seats are taken.
I turn my head from side to side to check.
—Except this one.
Then I see him gently pat the seat next to him. I swear I hadn't noticed it before. I feel warmth rising from my neck to my temples, and a sudden embarrassment washes over me like an unexpected breeze. All I can do is nod before letting myself sink into the seat beside him, muttering a timid "thank you."
"You look tired."
That comment echoes in my mind. He surely must have seen my swollen eyes, or even worse, he must have seen me crying. I silently reproach myself for thinking that showing sadness—and receiving kindness—is something wrong, yet I can't help but think of how many people disparage those who share their misfortunes to ask for a peso on the bus. Imagine if they thought that of me…
"Stop overthinking. That guy was just being kind."
I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. His impeccable posture makes it seem as though the world flows naturally around him as he writes in a notebook. I wish I could maintain such posture when I read, but I always end up slouching.
I sigh, disappointed in myself and my poor posture. Despite my best efforts, my gaze remains indiscreet: suddenly, I see his serious face light up with a smile.
For a moment, it feels as if my heart stops along with time.
He's quite handsome…
I quickly turned my gaze toward the window, and for the rest of the ride, I forced myself to stare at my phone until, finally, I reached my stop.
"The last thing I knew about him was that he got off the bus at the same time as I did—except he was running. It seems he was in a hurry.
Does he have a girlfriend?
I'm definitely feeling very sentimental today.
I almost let my emotions cloud my judgment, making me consider asking a stranger for his number just because he was handsome and kind to me. Luckily, I was quick enough to stop myself.
It's obvious he has a partner.