Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
I have to admit. My brain right now is like a gated community of memories from the past and I don’t reside there.
I have the worst memory when it comes to strangers. I forget faces easily and I cannot remember names nor associate them with faces. As I inspect every corner of my mind trying to look for answers to this writing prompt, I only wind up to the thoughts of how terrible I am in remembering people.
But wait! I want to share this. I told you I am bad at remembering faces but I joined a school organization, the official school publication to be exact, on my first year in college. On our first meeting I met my fellow writers and conversed a little with them. Before adjournment, it was agreed that there shall be a next meeting for a few matters that need follow-up. I booked the date on my calendar for schedule and went on with my day.
The following day during lunchtime I was out buying food for lunch when I bumped into someone. I can tell he’s a little bit on the feminine side, shorter than most boys, and give extroverted vibes. He asked me, “Are you going there later?” I can tell he’s on a rush or something because again it was lunchtime everybody’s busy and I panicked on how I should answer the question. I don’t recognize who he is. I don’t know where I am supposed to be going later. I don’t have other acquaintances or friends except for my blockmates and the school paper fellows. My mind was buzzing in milliseconds so I answered, “I am going to have to see if I can go.” He was satisfied with the answer and went on. Walking back to the classroom I was still fuzzed with the interaction. Where should I suppose to go and am I supposed to recognize that person?
I checked my calendar for my schedule and turns out I have a meeting with the school publication organization later in the afternoon. I laughed in silence and my mind was like mocking itself. I still do not know who I bumped into but at least I assume he is one of my fellow writers in the organization.
Later that afternoon the meeting commenced and I slightly start to recognize his face. In my mind I was laughing at myself but at the same time proud because looking back, I actually gave a safe and uncringey response to the question.
It took me a while to identify and learn their faces and names but at least I got through it.
People ask me most of the time why I am shy at first or I don’t usually speak or interact. They assume I am a shy person. Well I have to say I am not entirely shy but I am for most first encounters because I am extremely trying to imprint to my brain their faces and match it with their names. I cannot even fathom how to describe how hard I try to remember these things.
The writing prompt asks how this encounter stuck out positively to me. I do not know. This sickness gives me a lot of room for embarassment but it also gives me the rush and excitement. It’s like a guessing game I play with myself.
I definitely learned that I am not like other people and there really are existing people who are great at remembering faces and names.
This feature that I have is actually the reason why I don’t believe in love at first sight. Nevertheless, what’s positive in here is that I was able to find the silver lining in this circumstance. Having fun over something that may cause embarassment is somehow a good thing to take from this.
But hopefully there will be more fun and less embarassment.
Ailyn's Lines 