Mr. X

It was a chilly evening. Maria, a 10-year-old girl stood there in the middle of the road deeply invested in her thoughts . The warmth of the winter was somewhat lost for Maria. 

It had been just a few days before Maria's best friend, Amy had left the town. She could feel her drawing boundaries between them, she could feel things slowly and steadily changing. She could sense losing Amy but there was nothing she could do about it . All the wonderful memories were known tormenting Maria, just like the winter. All this time spent was just too hard to forget. She felt alone, dejected and lonely. She felt as if she wasn't worthy of anything 

Various thoughts rushed through Maria's mind. Was it her fault? Was it something she did? was it because she wasn't worthy? She thought as she sat on the bench, vulnerable and dejected. She was so invested in herself that she didn't realize that the seat beside her was not vacant anymore. There was an old man sitting there. It was not about till he wished her a good evening that she snapped out of her thoughts and entered reality. 

" Good evening, child " said the old man with a bright smile on his face 

" Good evening " said Maria, slightly smiling. 

" What a fine evening it is," said the old man 

" what's so fine about this evening?"

"everything "

" i will disagree "

" Why so?" 

" Because it is everything but lovely, the wind is bitter, and the weather is gloomy. No warmth and no peace are being provided by the winter"

" You are not fine, are you. There is something really bothering you. Its either that or you are not really an glass full kind of person " said the old man as he grinned cheekingly 

Mariaremained silent 

" You re choice, if you want to share it, you can "

" You don

Advertisement

't know my problem. You haven't lived it "

" Well, even if I haven't , I have seen this world a lot. I will have something to say 

" Have you ever lost someone?"

" yes "

"really"

" yes. One time I was in college . I really was the only child of my family so i had a soft spot for all my friends. I really liked this friend of mine , Ronny. He was everything i needed as a friend. He was good at studies and would help me sometimes 

" go on " said Maria 

" Well, this one time, i got more marks than him . He got jealous and told everyone not to talk to me . I was lonely . I wanted someone to be there and understand me , even when I have no clarity on what is doing on . But then , I found out about the mr x . I have been happy since "

"mr x ? who is that ?"

" well it would be miss for you"

" but who is that "

"let me describe it for you . You miss x will never leave you and will be your best friend forever "

" you are lying "

" no "

" ok , then where do I find it "

" You don't have to find it . "

" come on " said Maria, scoffingly . 

" what , mr x is really a great person . He will never leave me till death approaches . "

" well , how will my miss x look? "

" she will have dark brown hair , pale skin , black eyes and heart shaped lips "

" that is quite accurate " 

" miss x will always help you . Just find it and cherish it " the old man said as it got up and left 

what is this miss x ? Maria thought as she got up , but stopped when she saw her reflection in one of the shop's door 

She bursted out laughing . She ginned and grinned till her hearts content . She now knew what the old man meant . She had finally found her miss "x"