So Near Yet So Far…

Winter afternoon concealed itself in a grey guise pretending to be a dreary evening, much to the disappointment of those who chose to take a stroll outside. People probably thought the indoors were brighter at this hour. By virtue of this dubious act on part of the weather it had gained the disrepute of bringing about gloom in most hearts. You would agree if you saw Raphael’s low-spirited face drooping sullenly from his body as he sank in the park bench, much like a wilting tulip.

Despite his face being soaked in glumness, Raphael’s handsomeness could not be subdued. His average but clean attire brought about a charm to him that most young men his age might not have been able to exude. Slight ruffle in his crisp, brown hair and his slackened tie suggested a premature retirement from work for the day. Lost in thought, he fidgeted with a roll of newspaper that he held absently in his hand.

Unbeknownst to a preoccupied Raphael, there was an older gentleman sharing the bench with him. The gentlemen seemed to have a radiance about him that gave an aura of refinement. He sat upright in a manner of elegance and looked straight ahead, seemingly unperturbed by the weather. However, two things about him defied his elegant calmness; one being that he was wearing a night suit in the middle of the day to a public park; second being the distant, almost lost look in his eyes.

Going by the behavioral pattern in the past quarter of an hour, you would predict that the two occupants of the bench may very well have stood up and walked away without having noticed the other. But sometimes observations can be inconsistent just like the weather.

The old gentleman coughed loudly, drawing Raphael from his state momentarily. Raphael would have withdrawn to his earlier mood if it weren’t for the gentleman’s odd choice of attire.

Observing the man who was still staring straight ahead, Raphael asked, “Excuse me sir. Are you okay?”

The old man did not answer. Raphael hesitated and then spoke again, louder this time, “Excuse me sir…”

The old man turned his head towards Raphael, still carrying a dazed look in his eyes.

Surprised by the elegance the man exuded and the luxuriousness of his night suit, Raphael felt his curiosity rise. He turned to ask, “Are you okay sir? You seem a bit…uh…out of place…”

The man stared at Rapahel, his light blue, dove like eyes looking forlorn. A few seconds went by and then he said in a soft, kind voice, “I am okay. Just waiting for my afternoon tea.”

Confused, Raphael said, “Afternoon tea? Did you buy some at the café?”

The old man frowned and said, “Why would I buy my tea son? Cuthbert will bring it out in a minute.”

Raphael shook his head as he asked, “Who is Cuthbert?”

The old man sighed and turned to look ahead once again, “Why son…you seem to be getting more forgetful by the day…surely you know our butler’s name.”

Raphael smiled, “I don’t know about you sir, but I bloody well cannot afford a butler. Especially when I got fired this afternoon.”

The old man glanced at Raphael and said in an unruffled tone, “You seem to have taken my chidings a bit too seriously son. Although I am not in agreement with your manners of handling our business, I would never think of firing you…”

Raphael was puzzled but did not give up, “But sir…I am not your son and I was fired by my employer this afternoon. Although he had no right to do such a thing for no fault of mine. How would I have known that the chauffer was to be sent to the club to fetch a senior member…After all I have been there only a week. I would have been liable for such penalty had I been instructed well in advance…” There was a hint of aggression in his tone but Raphael quickly curbed it, crushing the newspaper in his hand harder.

The old man’s countenance did not change much as he said, “Cuthbert seems to have disappeared again…I sometimes feel like I ought to give him a piece of my mind. But then again he is human too. He might have a bad day or two just like the rest of us. Isn’t that right son?”

Raphael smiled slightly and nodded. He said with a sigh, “How considerate you are sir. I wish my employer was too…Anyway what is done is done. I must start looking for fresh opportunities now. I think I must get going and get on with life.” Raphael stood up to leave but then suddenly turned towards the old man to ask, “Is there someplace I can drop you sir? I could drive you there in my car.”

The old man frowned and looked at Raphael. He said kindly, “No need son. You can send Cuthbert later. I want to sit here for a while.”

Raphael smiled and said, “very well sir…It was lovely meeting you. Hope we meet again. Buh bye…”

The old man waved lightly and continued to stare ahead.

As Raphael walked out of the park gates he dumped the newspaper in a nearby bin. The newspaper opened up slightly as if breathing a sigh of relief. Printed in a corner of it was a photograph that resembled the old gentleman in the park, except that he was wearing a luxurious suit and a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles. Alongside him was a younger man who resembled him in appearance. Below the picture a caption said, “Business tycoon Mr. Henry Hales retires and hands over the reigns to his son Mr. Cuthbert Hales…”