Talking to yourself, seeking solutions

One evening, while strolling on the periphery of our neighbourhood park, I passed by an elderly gentleman. Ordinarily, I would have moved on, but something held me back. I slowed down so as to be close to him. He was talking to somebody, but there was nobody around him. These days, we find every third person on the road talking that way on the mobile, but this was a different case. I got interested in him even though I knew it was not an unusual phenomenon with many ageing people.

I was in a relaxed mood and, for a change, felt like being a little mischievous. Unmindful of my presence alongside, the gentleman continued to mutter something to himself. Sometimes, he would nod in approval or disapproval, smile or raise his eyebrows.

These gesticulations interested me greatly, rather increased my curiosity. I am pretty sure such actions would easily create doubts in any other person’s to somebody ... ( I thought he would vate life. But where is the intrusion? flatly deny it, but he surprised me by There has to be somebody to talk with. saying: “Yes”, putting me in a fix.) Where is she or he, Sir? You must tell me. Me: But there is nobody around here. And you were not talking on the He: You appear mobile either because you are not carAre you? rying one. Me: Yes Sir. But how did you guess? He: So what? He: Because only you people have ( The gentleman appeared peeved. the habit of poking your nose into He had been caught off guard. Howevother people’s private life, be it Priner, he underplayed his actions so deftly cess Diana, French President [ Nicolas] that he not only wriggled out of an odd Sarkozy or me. situation, but put me in a tight spot.) You people reach places where

He: Why are you interested in my you are not wanted. Something goes private conversation? wrong somewhere and you are there.

Me: Conversation? And private? But not where good things happen. You were not talking to anybody. Were ( I did not know whether he was you? Sir, tell me honestly. Where is complimenting or cursing. But certhe other person with whom you were tainly the gentleman was angry and having a conversation? was trying to cow me down. However,

He: You are poking your nose in a I was not going to be deterred. I tried to matter that should not be your concool him down.) cern. You are intruding into my private Me: You are an interesting personallife. ity. You inspire me. What is your avo

Me: I am extremely sorry for what cation, Sir? you say is an intrusion in your pri- He: But you don’t inspire me at all. mind about the mental health of such a person.

However, the impromptu ‘ walkthe- talk’ interaction I later had with him was sufficient to dispel any such misgivings. At times, the gentleman was sharp in his repartees. Nevertheless, one thing was clear — he was also living with some tension of the modern times and was only giving vent to his thoughts rather loudly.

Taking the risk of annoying him, I picked up a conversation with him which ran as follows:

Me: Excuse me, Sir. You were talking

to be a

journalist.

( I was flummoxed) Me: Where do you stay, Sir?

He: I don’t have to give you my address.

With this curt reprimand, he quickened his pace. I slowed down and withdrew myself. I realised my folly. I had unnecessarily hurt a good man’s sensitivities. And that set me analysing the phenomenon. Obviously, he was under stress and strain of his own problems. And I, certainly, had no business to delve into a stranger’s personal matters.

Feeling guilty, I wanted to apologise to the gentleman, but he had moved far ahead of me.

Minutes later, he gave me a big smile from a distance. I did not know whether it signified that Archimedes had found the answer or did it mean that for once he had outsmarted a journalist with a poking nose.