CHAPTER 10

 EMERSON

An impending shortage of groceries propelled me to embark on a trip to the store. Armed with a crumpled list, I ventured into the shop,determined to replenish my supplies. The essentials—milk, cereal,bread—were joined by a sudden craving for an abundance of chocolates. Lost in my own world, I failed to notice a silent observer trailing my steps. A voice broke through my reverie, revealing a forgotten wallet.

'Excuse me, you just dropped your wallet,' he uttered. Grateful for his timely intervention, I responded with a simple 'thanks.' When he pressed for an introduction, I obliged. 'Emerson,' I replied, met with a warm 'I'm Garry. Nice to meet you.'

Curiosity lingering, he probed further, asking about my residence. A reluctance to divulge such personal information to a stranger prompted me to decline. I left him standing alone, proceeding to the counter. Unexpectedly, he insisted on paying for my groceries, a gesture I initially resisted.

"Why did you do that? You don't need to," I insisted, puzzled by his kindness. His response, "I just want to be your friend," caught me off guard.

This unexpected encounter unfolded into a conversation. Garry complimented my eyes, leaving me momentarily speechless. Learning about my scholarship, he praised my achievements. Attempting to return the money, I found myself owing him a coffee.

"Homemade coffee from your hands," he suggested. Intrigued by the offer, I agreed, and we made our way to his home—a vast space adorned with his paintings and portraits. As I brewed coffee and engaged in conversation, a lingering question about his self-portraits remained unanswered. "Are you a model?" I inquired. His response,"No, you can call me self-obsessed," came with a smile, leaving a curious impression.