The Perfect Stranger

I took a walk to the beach early this morning with my loyal mp3 player for company. I guess I didn't really get much sleep last night. All my life I grew up being labelled but I guess we all do. Alot of the time I used to think that maybe there was actually something wrong with me. Clearly there wasn't but when the majority points it out and makes it sound like a bad thing.. you start to believe it aswell.

I'm still in the midst of reading Sophie's World; found a bench to continue it on. A man in his late 50's came up from behind and asked if he could join me. He randomly brought up a topic on human nature and asked me ''It's tough feeling like a misfit, isn't it?''. That did spark my interest quite abit as I put my book away feeling as though I probably wont get through another page anytime soon! For a moment, it felt as though he was reading my mind.

Funny how I ended up having a three hour conversation with a stranger who made me see things from yet another perspective. He was protective like a father, concerned like a brother, comforting like a lover and caring the way a friend would be. He had the most charming smile.. the kind that would make you smile back even if your eyes were wet.

I am not like everyone else. Its not the experiences of life that shaped me to become who I am. I am pretty sure I could name tons of people who have been through worse. Its the emotions that went so deep that something inside of me broke, it tested my faith again and again. I hate to admit it but I have always missed the idea of having a father. I have always wanted to know what it was like and how it felt.

Many times, I could have walked away but I live on and I embrace myself for who I am because there has been ONE who has always been there for me, who catches my tears, who sends me angels every now and then, he acts like my plaster when my heart hurts and he always makes me believe that I am never alone. Maybe that is why I am different.. because I love him so very much and he has been there when no one else was.

I am reminded that I am on a mission. I am his little helper. Saving lives is awesome but the most satisfying part of it all was that I saved myself and I found my purpose in life.. I realized so much over 21years that I could lose everyone and everything; yet I wouldnt be empty because I found me.

People will always have opinions; realize that none of them matter. One fine day, you will find that mind blowing person that goes a million miles to make you happy yet you'd know deep within that just his existence alone makes you feel like you've lived your life. Love is not just loving the best parts of a person, its loving every single part.

The stranger ended the conversation by saying ''Everything that happens is only in your favour, even if you dont see it right now Shobha''. I smiled.. turned around to walk away.. I turned back in seconds as I didn't remember giving him my name but all I saw was an empty bench.