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Chapter 3 - Short story N°3: A trivial conversation.

A trivial conversation.

By: Araguaney

After leaving home, I headed to the bus stop as usual and ran into a guy, apparently about my age.

It was unusual, as I live in a neighborhood where the majority of residents are retirees; the lack of youth is evident.

"He must be a neighbor's grandson," I thought.

I didn't want to ask him about it, so I just said good morning. He responded to my greeting and smiled a smile that highlighted his joviality.

After our greeting, there was a brief silence that I found awkward, so I tried to break the ice with a casual question. But unexpectedly, he jumped in with a phrase that I immediately recognized and, at the same time, made me laugh a little.

"You know, despite my youth, I've been struck by lightning seven times," he said.

It was sudden and immature, but at the same time fresh and charming.

"I know that movie," I said.

He smiled again, his emotion evident, as if pleased that I understood the reference.

"So did you find it the first time you saw it?" he asked enthusiastically.

"Dazzling, moving, and interesting," I replied.

"Me too, and I must say, without a doubt, my favorite character was the survivor of the seven lightning bolts," he said.

He was certainly a charming character, despite his brief appearances, but he wasn't the one that left a lasting impression on me."

"I'd go with the captain and the hummingbird metaphor... Besides, I found his death poetic," I commented.

"It's a movie full of messages and reflections, but, you know what? What I liked most was that precise point where the protagonists coincide in appearance, when they are finally physically contemporaries... It's a fleeting moment, but they make the most of their time, and I like to emphasize that," he said.

"Something like Carpe diem?" I asked.

"Yes! Seize the day, or time in general," he replied with childlike excitement.

Suddenly, a bus approaches, the one that runs to my job, which is why I begin to say goodbye, somewhat dejected.

"I must go now. It was a pleasure talking to you," I said.

"The pleasure was mine. Have a nice day," he responded kindly.

After getting on the bus, I felt happy and uplifted, as if talking to him gave me a source of energy to face my entire workday.

It was certainly a trivial and brief conversation, but also, because of the way it began and developed, it still holds a deep emotional value for me.

Since then, I haven't seen that guy again, but I hope a reunion is possible, and if not, well... I'm grateful to life for allowing me to run into him.

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