One at a time

It was 14th Feb, Valentine’s day..

At a diner, an old man making a small excuse, rushes out with a tear in his eye…

I had developed this ritual of eating at a particular restaurant every weekend. I mostly tend to have this time for myself which involves going for a walk, taking a ride in the metro alone, going to this particular restaurant and ordering the same dish week after week. I sometimes wonder what this restaurant guy must be thinking about me. During one of such trips, I noticed a old man coming into the restaurant.

My food was yet to arrive with nothing much to do I started observing him. There was something about him. He was full of smile and wishing the attendants, it was something I will never forget, so full of life. He sat down inspected the menu very closely and ordered a dish (after making few inquiries with the attendant). After ordering the dish, he relaxed a bit and was observing the decor of the restaurant. It was 14th February and the place was decorated with balloons in shape of heart. As he was looking at the decor, I noticed a small smile on his face. The decor might have triggered a memory from his past. After a minute his expression totally changed, he got lost in thoughts while watching outside.

Next moment making a small excuse, this man rushes out with a tear in his eye…

I sat there and wondered what he was missing, a wife who used to be beside him for 30 odd years, his children for whom he cared and still caring.

Everyone around is an emotional creature, we are full of empathy. Things that drives us in the world are love, faith and hope. The moment any one of these is less we are lost.

I wish I could have held the old man’s hand, sat with him and had dinner, just to let him know that there was someone who knows and cares for him. To make him believe that faith is not lost and there is hope in this world. I wish I could have shared a smile with him.

And my dinner ended rather on a sad note but my hope for a better world is still not lost. I will spread smiles and give hope to others and wish that you too would do so. One at a time.