STRANGE BEGININGS

This is not your typical story, not the one which start with once upon a time nor does it have a definitive ending just a man going through life in the best way he knows how. Now that we have that out the way, it was one of those days that was filled with excitement and this was a welcomed change considering how lately life had been a bit mundane. The day to day routine was broken by a retreat that I was debating whether I should indeed go to. Well to break the monotony a change of venue seem much more welcome and the thought of spending days away from home brought about a certain eagerness to look forward to a semi staycation. I must say I did over pack for a 5 day stay you would have thought I was going away for three weeks but hey you can never be underprepared. We got to the venue of our destination at a relatively early time and I could not wait to take part in the activities that were laid out for the first day.

The morning sauntered on with much eye opening, mind challenging sessions we got to break for lunch. Meeting new people and befriending them has never been a forte of mine as I am usually guarded with walls high as the great wall and heart guarded with a security type vault (story for another day on this character development saga). So I sat there with my lunch with people I knew not making efforts to socialize but just eat while people watching which is a favorite sport of mine. As I watch I make up stories in my head about their lives and imagine conversations that we would have if we ever talked giggling to myself as my mind tends to wander getting lost in its own world. Then this person seemingly out of nowhere joined our table, I was taken aback by her demeanor, it seemed like a fairy from tales of yore had just landed and this yanked me out of my imagination and into reality.

Being a courteous human being she introduced herself and as introductions went round the table I fidgeted with what name I should give, how my voice would come out, will I be too abrasive or will my shy nature take over and I appear a bit timid. I almost bit my tongue saying my name with my voice coming out in a shrill to which she giggled and gave me a look to put me at ease. This time I could not build scenarios in my mind as my imagination went blank for the first time in a very long while. She must have noticed my stare and she asked me to share and with no pleasure I had to decline the offer. The embarrassment I felt I could not help but turn purple blushing sheepishly hoping for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

The first night was a joy trading stories and bonding looking forward to a new day. The sun had yet to perch up the sky letting its gentle rays peer through the minimal cloud cover giving the illusion of a crimson morning sky. Then I was shaken out of my daze with a 'Good Morning' to a voice I only got acquainted to yesterday, there she stood like the sun's painting, smiling radiantly and in response I blurted out the immortal words of Proverbs 18:22 "He who finds a wife finds a good thing..." and ran off before she could respond... to be continued