The other side of the fence

The other day was dining out at a suburban restaurant with family. Even though it was a week day the place seemed quite packed with people queuing up outside the restaurant for a table.

Right next to our table was a vacant four-seater. Two people, one man and a woman occupied it. The man was old, say aged fifty plus. The lady was young well-dressed, probably in her mid-twenties. At first glance, seemed a father-daughter duo.

In spite of the four-seater they were occupying, both preferred to sit side-by-side, i.e. adjacent to each other. At first I thought they were waiting for the other two family members. The ‘hum do, hamare do’ happy family concept.

Well I am not the nosy sort to peep into others tables, I know it’s rude. But since I wasn’t too hungry and there wasn’t much happening on my family table, I decided to keep an eye on my newly seated neighbors.

Half way through their appetizers I realized, no more family was to arrive and it was just these two, cozily enjoying their time together. It didn’t make sense, was it something more than what I was making it out to be? Why wouldn’t two people sit opposite, facing each other? That way the conversation and the meal is more convenient

This seemed pretty weird especially since the diner was a family hot-spot. Was I just making too much of it…somehow two-plus-two didn’t add up.

Main course followed the appetizers, by then I knew this was something fishy and unnatural. There was this mysterious air shared by the two of them. Sitting at close proximity to each other, hand in hand, soft caresses on the each others face, loving glances into each other eyes, to top it all sharing desert from the same crockery.

Was it for real! I mean, it’s a free advancing world, with age no bar, sex no bar. They could be an odd couple, deeply in love with each other. Enjoying a quiet meal in each others company.

But beyond that was it infidelity on mans part or a means of good doe on the woman’s? The man rejuvenating his aging instincts, romancing a woman half his age and beyond that I wouldn’t know. The woman in need of money, selling her youth to older rich men, for a fun-filled night.

If it’s either of these two issues, it sure does numb the heart. Leaving a bad taste in the mouth.

We were almost done with our meal; it was time to clear the bill and leave the premises. I walked out wondering about the different roles, life compels us to play. I thanked god I stood on the other side of the fence.