A few days ago, while I was “enjoying” my bus ride to school, an old man got into the bus. He was carrying some torn looking flower. Those summer kinds that have lots of smaller flowers and look like a small bouquet. One of these little flowers was broken and he gave it to me.

Him: You should say you got it from a young fellow, not me.
Me: Oh, no, there’s no need!
Him: No, you should say it like this: he kept staring at me, but I pretended not to notice, he was good looking though. Eventually he gave me this nice flower.
Me: Really, there’s no need, I could get into trouble.
Him: How old are you? Going to school?
Me: University, actually…
Him: Oh, and I thought you were a sixth or seventh grader..(13-14)
Me: Oh, no, I am much older
Him: Then you should really find yourself a guy…A nice looking one
Me: I have already found one
Him: oh, then change the story, he might get upset!
Me: OK, I will
Him: Spring is finally here
Me: Yes, it is…
Him: I dunno, today I feel like talking…I have days when I am completely mute, but today I feel like talking to people..

After a few more jokes about his school year, a lady standing next to him got off at a stop:

Him: She didn’t like that I gave you the flower! She wanted it for herself…
Me: I don’t thing so…
Him: Yes, I saw it in her eyes…

After getting off myself and after going our separate ways, as he got off at the same stop, I started thinking…He was not completely down to earth, as one would say, yet he seemed to so much enjoy that spring day! And he gave me the flower with all his heart…I could not help but wonder, is he actually lonely at home? What makes him not talk to anyone on certain days? People’s reaction to his innocent chats? To his antique jokes? I thought he was fun to talk to…