They met at the park often, sitting on the same bench every time. He looked forward to these meetings. Surprisingly he noticed how easy it was for the both of them to ease in and out of conversations. The only downside was her unpredicted mood swings. One minute she would be talking animatedly, words streaming out like a speeding train and the other minute, she would refuse to utter a word, like a clamped up oyster.
From these conversations, he was surprised to find out that she was many years younger. Yet, this did not show from the way she carries herself. She had an air of maturity on her. With the time spent with her, he noticed that the responsibility that she carries has forced her into adulthood far beyond her years. Naturally, he was compelled to help her, to listen to her, even if it was just to lend a listening ear, he was more than willing.
Though she was matured for her age, he was aware of moments in which she would let loose. She had become accustom to him to be able to vent her frustrations and sometimes even anger at him. He knew she would come to regret it later but at least he understood that she had him as an outlet to unleash her suppressed disappointments and aggravations.
“ Like a loose cannon you are,” he remembered telling her, when she had poured out her irritations and annoyance, “ you hide and keep everything inside of you, building and ignoring your own resentments, your anger until you can’t take it any longer before you blow up on me,’’ he had continued to tease her.
He knew the facade she plays, the mask she puts on in front of everyone and he was glad to be able to see her true self once in a while. The scoff she had gave him after that little lecture of his was it confidence or ignorance, he could not discern. She had boasted that she was able to handle her own emotions well if not for some random outbursts, she was doing very well thank you. She had ignored his advice and had pushed his help away.
It was soon to be known, that it was this slow build up that had lead to her breaking point.
16/5/2011
To be continued...
