The guy remained seated on a bench in the secluded area of the park. He had been sitting there for quite some time now, too early, and it was still dark when he arrived.
People had started to fill up the place one by one: Mothers walking their babies and nannies accompanying the children playing with their friends. Grandfathers and grandmothers, soaking up the early heat of the glorious sun while doing their daily routinary exercises. Some people just gossip, sitting idly at the scattered benches here and there in the park. It was already buzzing with activity, and he could feel their high spirits due to the good weather.
Sometimes, some of them had tried to talk to him, bringing him into their circle. He politely answered, though. The gentleman in him wouldn't allow him to be rude and ask them to leave him alone in his sacred place. But he did no such thing and just continued answering their questions but kept to himself when not asked and buried his head in his book. He didn't go there to gain new friends or even acquaintances. No, he longed for nothing but peace and quiet. Nothing but that... With one exception: a glimpse of one that has kept his heart beating.
He longed to start his day with a memory of her smile, her laugh that warms his whole being, and the intelligent yet mischievous glint in her expressive brown eyes. That is all that he wanted, all that he needed.
He sensed her bright aura at once before hearing her voice or seeing her beautiful face. A lady near her age, maybe a year older, approached her. He watched her with interest as they fell into their happy morning chatter.
As always, he felt contentment wash over him, bathing him with bliss and pushing his lips unconsciously to form a rare smile, a smile only she could incite. He stayed there for a while, storing her every gesture and word in his mind.
He would've stayed longer if he didn't have work to do. Reluctantly, he closed the book he was fake-reading and willed himself to stand and leave his temporary heaven. His feet felt as heavy as his unwilling heart as he started to walk away. He braved himself into looking at her one last time and regretted it right away. Even if she's the reason he's still alive and breathing, she's also the reason his heart is breaking.
He felt numb just catching him holding her close, kissing her temple tenderly, with so much love and affection. She beamed at him while their companion stared at them with envy. He knew that the guy intended him to see how he could freely take her and kiss her, making her blush prettily under the gaze of the morning sun. His heart constricted both with affection for her and anger for him.
He hastily turned around and walked briskly. He knew it would happen. It always does. The guy always finds a way to prove she doesn't need him or his affection. And yet he continued seeking her; he was willing to take the pain if it meant she'd have a good and happy life.
His happiness didn't matter.
And so, with that last thought, he continued on his way... On his way to solitary bliss and pain.
