04 March 2008

Am I still relevant?

I slowly walked along the busy street. It was full of people from many different places and they were all here for many different reasons. Since I left this place for quite some time now, I felt a bit lost, standing in the middle of this ocean of people. I wasn't quite sure where to head but I continued to walk while keeping my eyes wandering around.

I saw a stranger, a very well dressed gentleman in an expensive suit. I thought he might want to help me. I smiled at him but he quickly turned his face away and said, "I'm sorry, I can't entertain you as my time is money and I don't think I would benefit talking to you." He walked away with an ego on his face.

"That was a bad start," I thought.

As I continued to walk, I met another stranger whom I thought could help me. I quickly smiled at him but he pretended that he didn't see me and walked away hastily. I started to feel some frustration in myself but I kept on walking, hoping that I would meet a person who would help me.

Throwing a smile to the next stranger I came across didn't help me much as he only looked at me with a strange look and gave me a nod, there wasn't any sign of smile in his face. I was quite surprised that I could hardly find people who are willing to at least return my smile in this very well and highly developed place.

Tired of walking, I stopped and sat on a bench beside the street. A man who appeared to be very friendly approached me with a big smile and said, "Hi, you look a bit lost, can I help you?"

I said, "Yes, I think I'm lost, I'm not sure which direction I should take."

He said, "That's not a problem. What you need is a book which can guide you, and I'm selling one today at a very special price of $9.99. This price will go up very soon and if you buy now, you will also receive together with your purchase other products worth $4,387.00 for free, this is a limited offer and will end very soon."

I laughed and said, "No, thank you," and quickly walked away.

I continued walking and smiled to another stranger. He returned my smile and walked pass. I was a bit relieved, this place was not as bad I thought.

I felt better and continued to walk. I threw a smile at another stranger I met and to my surprise, he smiled and sincerely said, "Hi, you look a bit lost, may I help you?"

"I'm very glad to have met you," I said and shook hands with him.

The stranger took me to a coffee house where I used to hang around those days. I bought a cup of coffee and sat beside a table. The place was full of people and there were so much of conversations going on there that made the place a bit noisy. Suddenly, I saw a small group of people whom I recognized. They were my old friends. I quickly got up and happily walked towards them. I must meet these people.

I approached them with a big smile and a warm greeting but to my surprise, they paused and looked at me with strange, unwanted smiles before continuing with their conversation. I wasn't sure but apparently they had forgotten me. I thought that I should introduce myself but I chose not to interrupt their conversation and walked back to my table.

"Time brings people together and time seperates people apart, erasing names from memories," I thought to myself.

I looked at my watch. It was time for me to leave. I walked out of the place in regret, blaming myself for failing to manage my time wisely.

7 comments:

  1. Hi Zunnur!! Glad to see that you are back! I will add you again to my blogroll :) I had chosen to respect your wish that you wanted to stop blogging for a while so I didn't want to interrupt you though you were always there as a friend in my blogcatalog and checked regularly to see if you had started blogging again :)

    I loved your story. I especially loved this paragraph:

    "I'm sorry, I can't entertain you as my time is money and I don't think I would benefit talking to you." He walked away with an ego on his face.

    It is so true.

    Your story reminded me of "Another day in paradise" Phill Collins' song and it also reminded me of my trip to Rome some days ago. When I was lost and couldn't find some of the tourist attractions almost nobody was willing to help.One of them even told me "I don't know". How can't you possible know where the "pantheon" is when you have a kiosk very close to it? Anyway...

    I also found the bit of the friends to be very true :( unfortunately.

    Have a lovely day and welcome back!!

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  2. And oh, by the way, I happen to be at the coffee shop too. Found a spot by the window. There are still empty chairs waiting to be 'claimed.' :)

    Just ordered my decaf frappucino. Don't forget to order your drink too (And yes, it'd be on the house!!)

    Anticipated and looking forward to have a chit chat w/ our buddy :)

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  3. Hi Zunnur! I was soooooo thrilled to get a comment from you. I was away for three days on a business trip. I was not able to bring my laptop with me because I was hoping it would only be an overnight trip but my flight was cancelled because of bad weather so I had to stay another day =(.

    Welcome back and I will be looking forward to your new articles. Sadly, it is sometimes true "Time brings people together and time seperates people apart, erasing names from memories." - but don't worry people who have left a mark in my life are never forgotten! and you are one of them.

    God bless! =)

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  4. luvd de post...nice one...n of course if u hav 'time' feel free 2 check in to my blog too....evincere.blogspot.com

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  5. Love these metaphoric posts! But don't leave so quickly... have another cup of café/ tea! ;)

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  6. Only those who live with their souls learn how to appreciate life while savoring time spent with people close to their heart.

    Your post has touched me immensely and brought me into the realm of nostalgic memories.

    It isn't the remembrance of names that matters but the memories left behind.

    Your old friends might have forgotten you but I'm sure you will forever remember the stranger who helped you.

    After all, friends are once strangers we have yet to meet.

    This is such a beautiful story worth reading repeatedly.

    Blessings!!!

    :)

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  7. What a wonderful blog. You seem to be a wonderful young man. Wishing you well in your endeavors.

    Nards

    ReplyDelete

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