OUR ENCOUNTER

It was just like any normal day, walking down the path that goes to my neighbourhood. It was already sunset, and the sky was beautiful when i saw him, the famous David Carlson. He was sitting on a concrete pavement, with his left hand caressing his eyes. His actions didn't seem right to me, and he looked like he was having a bad day. At first, i hadn't recognised him right away because he was wearing a black cap, and looking down to the earth as if he was regretting his whole existence. To top it all, David was wearing a black t-shirt, black jeans, and black shoes which made the whole situation look like he had just come from a funeral. i stood there for some time, just simply staring at him and contemplating on what to do. i wasn't about to mind my own business and just leave, i was a therapist. 

"Ahh," i screamed so loud. I had just faked falling on the ground, hoping to get his attention  and i wasn't about to stop any time soon. I had once auditioned to be an actor, and i was going to use all the experience i had. "Why won't he react?," he hadn't noticed my presence and was still looking down. "Oh my God," i screamed even louder as i fell down for the second time, landing on my back. "What a horrific sight," i thought.

He must've found the whole scene funny because he smirked and immediately rose to his feet. "Are you hurt?", those were the first words he uttered to me. He quickly approached me, sent forward his hand to help me up my feet, when I slid on the banana peeling next to me and landed on my back again. David suddenly burst out laughing, and that was when I noticed he was the David I knew, the celebrity I've had a crush on since I was 17 years old. I remember that laugh anywhere, any time and I knew I wasn't imagining things. I hadn't noticed it was him even after seeing his face because I was so engrossed in my acting. 

"This is so embarrassing. I can't believe I just met a celebrity on the street and embarrassed myself like this. But who cares?, he's David and I'm his biggest fan" I thought to myself. I wasn't about to make him feel uncomfortable, so I pretended not to know him. "Here, let me help you" he raised his hand again. I could've sworn I trembled in disbelief when I took his hand and he grabbed me by the waist to support me from falling again. "Are you hurt?" he asked again for the second time, and I stood there and was dazzled by his beauty. Of course no one is perfect, but he was perfect to me. 

"Ms?" He called out to me again. I had finally regained all my senses again when I noticed him staring straight into my eyes, seemingly worried.

"I..., I'm.., I'm okay" I stammered. For the first time I was mute, and screamed internally. I knew I had found my heaven on earth. His smooth skin, heart-shaped lips, sparkling eyes, the gentleness in his voice, he was every girl's dream. "You should go to the hospital if you feel uncomfortable. I don't think you seem okay" he said to me. I knew I had hit the jackpot. I don't know how I got to my apartment, but one could tell I had just been blessed by the heavens. I tiptoed and danced to my room happily, to stare at the pictures of David on my wall. I was so happy and overwhelmed by what had just happened that I began to laugh and cry all at once. Eight years ago, I prayed to the heavens that I get the chance to meet David before I die, because we all die some day. My prayers had finally been answered. David had walked me home, making sure I was okay before he turned around to leave. I can still remember how he waved at me, smiling so peacefully. I have heard of celebrities committing suicide, and I was glad I decided to mind him. Being a therapist, I have seen horror in the physical. I eat, sleep, wake up, and shower while paying attention to my surroundings.

I had thought of calling my siblings and friends to tell them about the good news, but I had no proof, not even a single selfie with David. The next day, I had walked outside of my apartment, stood in the same position where David stood while waving back at me. The probability that David would come back to see me was 0.0%, but still I hoped he would pass by. I suddenly wondered what he was doing in my neighborhood, wasn't it too much of a cliché? I pondered out loud. "Could it be that he lived in my area? No way!" I gasped. The moment I suddenly turned back to go into my apartment, there he was, the man of my dreams. David had just walked out of the apartment next to mine, dressed in a sports attire.

He started jogging towards my direction, stopped right infront of me, smiled and then looked deep into my soul. "I remember you. You're the girl from yesterday. How're you feeling today? Did you go to the doctor as per my request?" He asked while smiling so beautifully. All of me wanted to wanted to embrace him, but I held back the urge and acted like I hadn't just met a celebrity for the second time. "Yes I'm alright. I didn't know you lived here, right next to me" I said. He suddenly looked uncomfortable, while avoiding eye contact, he said to me "I'm glad you're doing alright" and he jogged away. I immediately understood he was a celebrity, and I was just a fan who should not even be seen talking to him. I wondered if the land lord was somehow related to him.