Why does he walk behind me?
This question has been lingering in my mind for as long as I can remember. It’s not a question of jealousy or competition, but rather one of curiosity and concern. Every time I turn around, there he is, walking a few steps behind me, never too far, never too close. It’s as if he’s trying to stay unnoticed, yet his presence is unmistakable. So, why does he walk behind me?
The first time I noticed him was during my college years. We were both new to the campus, and I had just moved into a dormitory on the other side of the quad. One evening, as I was walking back to my dorm, I felt a pair of eyes following me. I turned around, and there he was, a quiet, unassuming boy with a gentle smile. I had no idea who he was, but something about his presence made me curious. From that day on, he started following me whenever I was on campus.
At first, I thought it was a fluke, a mere coincidence. But as the weeks passed, the pattern became more consistent. He would walk behind me during my classes, in the library, even at the dining hall. It became evident that he was not just following me by chance. But why? What could possibly make him walk behind me?
I tried to engage him in conversation, but he always seemed uncomfortable, retreating into his own world whenever I approached. It was as if he had something to say, but couldn’t find the courage to say it. This only deepened my curiosity and made me even more determined to uncover the mystery behind his actions.
One day, as I was walking back to my dorm, I finally gathered the courage to ask him directly. “Why do you always walk behind me?” I inquired, my voice tinged with both concern and curiosity.
To my surprise, he hesitated for a moment before responding. “I’m not following you,” he said softly, his eyes avoiding mine. “I’m walking beside you, just not as close as you might think.”
His answer was unexpected, yet it seemed to make sense. It was as if he was trying to be closer to me without actually being in my space. But why? What was his reason for keeping his distance?
As we continued our walk, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. It seemed that the mystery was slowly unraveling. I prodded him further, hoping to uncover the root of his actions. “Is there something you want to tell me?” I asked, my voice filled with genuine concern.
He took a deep breath, his eyes finally meeting mine. “Yes,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve admired you from afar for a while now. I like watching you walk, see how you move, how you carry yourself. It’s comforting to know you’re there, even if I’m not as close as I’d like to be.”
His words brought a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was touched by his honesty and his admiration. On the other hand, I felt a sense of responsibility, knowing that his presence had been affecting me, whether I realized it or not.
Since that day, I’ve learned to appreciate his silent vigil. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful connections are the ones we don’t see, the ones we don’t hear. So, why does he walk behind me? Because he chooses to, because he finds comfort in the distance, and because he believes that being there, even if just behind, is enough.
