A day

We sat on a bench beneath a colossal green tree. The weather, calm with the sun shining gently, bestowed a soothing warmth. Ducks playfully dipped in the green pond before us. An oddly bent tree, most of its branches submerged, stood resiliently, its main trunk unwavering.

As I introduced myself, attempting to make a positive impression on our first meeting, the exact genesis of our conversation eluded my memory. I often found myself drifting into a state of distraction during our exchanges. On that particular day, it felt as if I were under the influence of some euphoric spell. Her voice resonated in my ears like a captivating melody, and although I was ostensibly attentive, my mind wandered. She shared stories about her childhood and college experiences, emphasizing resilience and the belief that time heals all wounds. I nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, I agree with you.”

“Ahhh.”

“Ummmmm.”

“I know, I.. I.. there was this time one of my friends… “

I halted for a few seconds.

“What?” she inquired.

“Nevermind.”

“What is it?”

After a brief pause, I admitted, “One of my really close friends… umm… I guess, betrayed me.”

“And…”

“I don’t know, that’s it I guess.”

“Why?” she probed.

“Timing… maybe time. Timing was not right. It was…”

While conversing, I lost interest in my own narrative. The words felt disjointed, and I disliked the direction of the conversation. It seemed meaningless, and I lacked the energy to conclude my thoughts. I gained no positive insights from the experience, merely mirroring her recounting of events—what happened, how I felt, and how it fit into my life.

“Shut up. Shut up. Do you need to talk so much? Same fucking story again and again. Shut up,” a voice berated me internally.

I felt a gentle shake on my arm, “Maya, Maya.”

“Hmm… what?”

“Then what happened?” she inquired.

Her question left me bewildered.

“What?” I responded.

“You didn’t finish what you were saying. Are you okay?”

“Oh. Really?”

“I am sorry. I… is it okay if we stop talking for a little while?”

She refrained from further interrogation, yet confusion marked her expression.

“Okay.”

“Thank you.”