25th November, It's 7 in the morning. There's a slight chill in the air. The leaves have left the trees. As the earth prepares itself to receive the first snowfall of the year, I am sitting here, on this bus stop, dreading at the thought of work, waiting for the bus which is late as usual. And just as usual, besides me, sits this small child.
It all started almost a month ago, as this small girl accompanied with an old man in a suit started sitting with me on this bus stop. She doesn't talks with me, but just sits on the seat besides me as the old man accompanying her stands next to her, without saying a single word himself. He would give an occasional cough or a nod. The small girl herself, would offer a piece of snack every now and then.
Today was nothing different as she sat beside me and offered me a piece of candy.
''I am sorry, but it's a little too early for me to have a candy'' I say as I try to throw up a polite and decent looking smile.
I was never a people person, most people thought of me as a cold person and my scary looking face didn't help either. So I was a bit nervous while talking to her so as not to scare her.
''Well.. that's alright then... I shall eat it myself'', She said as she inhaled that candy like it was the last piece of sweet on this planet.
"Quite the sweet tooth you got there" I say to her as she's busy munching down on her candy. "Also.... you know, you shouldn't be talking to strangers like this... and definitely shouldn't go around offering them candies."
She rises her head up and looks towards me as if I've got horns for ears...." But mister.. I'm not alone... Mr. Ben is with me" as she points towards the old man and he bows.
....He must be some sort of nanny or maybe a babysitter , but he was dressed too finely to be a simple babysitter. So... a butler perhaps. In that case this small girl here must come from a pretty decent household. But then... why would she be waiting for the bus. As I was thinking this... She comes up to me, " Hey mister, I've seen you here quite often. So I guess we should introduce ourselves... Myself Lily. Lily Hemera. I'm five years old. It's a pleasure to know you. And who might you be mister?"
For a second.. I was taken aback by the confidence and boldness of this little child speaking to me as if she has done this for quite a few lifetimes. Well whatever it was, it was quite refreshing seeing someone talk to me so comfortably.... It had been quite a while since someone other than her had talked to me so familiarly. She reminded me of her.
"Myself Ivan. Ivan Nyx. And the pleasure is all mine, miss Lily."
"Hello Mr. Ivan.... ooh! and this grumpy looking grandpa with me is Mr. Ben. He might look scary but he's actually a huge softie.
"Pleasure to meet you too Mr. Ben. and miss Lily... just call me Ivan."
".... Well in that case, call me Lily as well. Drop the miss. It makes me sound like a old women"
" Hahahaha... ok Lily.... You.. really are quite mature for your age aren't you"
"Yeah I get that a lot. Even my mother says the same."
As we were talking, the bus arrived, as Ben pointed out," Lily, your bus is here."
"Aaahhh! well Ivan... talk to you tomorrow. Byee!!"
"Byee Lily", I say to her as I waved to her and went back to waiting for my delayed bus but now with a better mood.
On the bus
Ben speaks to Lily," You know.. you shouldn't talk to strangers like that."
"I know.. and I don't go talking to random strangers you know. Its just that.. he felt kinda familiar. Also.. he's no longer a stranger, is he now. He's Ivan.", She smiles while looking out the window.