corner seat

I proceeded with my tray of food to the busiest corner of the food court. I sat down and meticulously put my bag on the chair next to mine. The couple sitting beside who was munching on pizzas looked at me with strange eyes. I smiled. The guy curiously smiled too. The girl was a little reluctant but she forced one out eventually.

The spot where I glued my butt to was the table right next to the elevator. Therefore shoppers going up and down and to the cinema would see me and I would see them too. This spot is cursed for loners like me who enjoy the company of strangers. And who wouldn't feel embarrassed when caught with greasy fingers and a mouth full of fried chicken. Occasionally a kind soul would glimpse over as they parade about with closely related human beings such as boyfriends, girlfriends or next-of-kin known as family to send me a sympathetic smile.

But my secret paradise is just about at the busiest and yet the loneliest spot in the entire world. The quiet moments give me ample time to think and to watch. Young couples holding hands as if they will be seperated permenantly if they let go, a group of school girls giggling innocently, children screaming at the top of their lungs when they dropped their tigthly-clutched bottle cap on the floor. Very efficiently they will bend down to pick-it-up only to place the cap in their mouth! I wonder if I put anything non-edible into my mouth before? Chances are I won't because my sense for tasty food was acquired since birth. As far as I can remember I only ate food. Whether they were healthy or not, it is an entirely different question.

While sipping a can of Coke Light, I paid attention to everyone's style of eating. Have you ever noticed how some people eat their food in order? For example, they would eat the salad first, next attack the burger and lastly nibble on the fries. They would stop in between when the pickled cucumber filled-up their air pipes to consume a full gush of Coke to clear the passage ways. On the other hand, the less organised ones will eat a little of this and a little of that. Poking their greedy fingers into all they could eat. At the end of the pole of messy-eaters are the all-in-one grinders. These folks store the first bite of food in the mouth, holding it for a juggled-up mixture with the second, third, forth or even the fifth bite. I know it can be quite disgusting but then the all-in-one grinders have a rocket to catch.

The company of oneself allows one to enjoy the company of all present.

Namaste.