What happened?

Essay contributed by Fungus
09 Aug 2005
A hot sluggish afternoon.The nationalistic revelers were making their way to the Padang.

Decked in my baggy Bermudas, and donning a comfortable tee, I sashayed down the walkway in my favourite Diesel sneakers... feeling jolly. I've just spent the last 45min circling a particular store, deciding whether I should part with my dollars and purchased the object of my desire. Finally, I bought it.

I smiled to myself as a funny thought crossed my mind "Haha... I'm so comfortable in my tomboyish gear, any guy who falls for me must be quite a character. Hahaha..."

With that funny thought still lingering in my mind, I gave a gentle kick to the fallen leaves on the floor. Baked to a brownish shade, the leaves gave off a crisp protest as it made contact with my shoe, floated slightly into the mid air and settled down with a sigh.

Hahaha... I jumped onto the narrow beam separating the greens from the pavement and tried to balance myself as I onward forward go, fighting for space with the busy red ants, whose peace was greatly disturbed by a pair of size 7 diesel shoes. Haha... I laughed nonchalantly, inwardly.

I lifted my head from looking at the aggravated ants and saw another group of newly alighted revelers from the bus. Red. White. Red. White. Somehow, the usual social embarrassment of being found dressed in similar style is thrown out of the window during this public holiday. Interesting.

Yee... That looks like a familiar face. Do I know her?

For not wanting to be caught staring, I averted my eyes. She walked nearer.

The corner of her lips hooked into a gentle smile. Recognition registered.

"(name)(I'm leaving this anonymous to protect the privacy of my friend)?! Hi. You going out?" I said stupidly, suffering from autism and shock.

She nodded her head, smiled, and walked on.

For that instant, two images juxtaposed itself on my cerebrum. Past and present.

Present. Before me stood a skinny girl whose face looked wane. The eyes were dull. Dark shadows sat below those eyes. The shoulder slumped as if laden with a load of care.

Past. A year ago. Her face porcelain white. Her hair soft, long and glowing. The depths of her eyes were dancing and a ready smile lingered at the corner of her lips. There was lightness in her steps.

Same scenario. Me on my way home. She on her way out. She was laughing and chatting with her hubby and another young couple then. Apparently, I found out later from a mutual friend, she and her husband had just come back from completing their Master degree in London.

I did not greet her then. She looked so happy and I did not want to disturb that beautiful moment by intruding in. I walked past. Rejoicing with her.

What happened?
Suddenly, all my earlier musings seem so trivial and childish.

What happened?
I recalled the book which I've just finished reading that morning - "The Virgin Suicides".

What happened?
Life is light as air, and yet as dense. It is quietly, slyly funny, while strumming its melancholic notes.
Behind each life is a confounding mystery.

What happened?