I reminisce

Sometimes people reminisce of the past. We remember the sweet times and the happy memories. I for one was popular once. At the very beginning, I mingled with the most important people in society.

Back then, I learnt so much about the so-called upper class. I knew the girls who were going to the ball. I knew the guys who had mistresses and heard their secret conversations. They told me everything. At the same time, I was very important. I was at the forefront of ground breaking deals and people whispered privileged information to me. They told me everything. I was highly revered by society. I was always there for them, I was dependable. But those are the days of bygones.

As time went by, more and more people accepted me. Maybe it’s because I travelled the world and became more cultured. People from all classes of society started to talk to me, and I learnt so much. They told me everything. It got to a point where every day, people would queue to talk to me. I met so many different people from different countries. Through these people, I felt alive, I felt treasured. I was always there for them, I was dependable. But those are the days of bygones.

Now, people rarely talk to me. Now, I’m unpopular. I’m a no one. Maybe it’s because I travel less now. People started to abandon me, and force me away from their streets. Now, there’s always someone else they can talk to. Someone personal who stays by their side 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and probably even sleeps next to them. Now, people only find me when they’ve been let down by the other one. Now, people only talk to me when they need help, or in emergencies. But I am always there for them, I am dependable.

I was there for my friend Jane when she was stranded because public transport wouldn’t take her home. She was 11, and it was her first day at secondary school. One of her new friends was with her, also stranded. They were stressed out and were comforted when Jane’s parents said they’d pick them up. I stayed by them until Jane’s parents came and watched them drive away.

I was there for Michael when he fell out with the girl he’d been dating for 5 years. He was with me, trying to talk to her about it because she wouldn’t see him. They broke up. He was so heartbroken and cried for so long that it felt like all the tears had drained out of him. I stayed with him all the time and made sure he was safe from the rain outside. I was there until he was ready to go and I watched him walk away.

Every day I watch from my window and stare at the people who walk quickly past. I make sure they’re ok. I make sure they have somewhere to stay if they’ve forgotten their umbrella. When people pause next to me, I wonder if they want to talk. More often than not, they’re just looking for someone else. Once in a blue moon I catch snippets of the latest gossip. But still, I am always there for you, I am dependable. But I reminisce of the past.