Reminiscences 13

Chance Encounter

Ben entered the park alone. He was slightly sad that Oana had left, a little bemused as to why she had suggested going to Cismigiu, but then bailed out at the last moment, overall though he was relieved, thinking that it was probably for the best.

Cișmigiu was a nice sized park. Not too large that you could get lost, but not so small that you couldn’t have a good wander around. It was a pleasant mix as well of open space, a central lake, some windy paths and wooded end zone, where you could indulge in some adventures.

Today, which was Saturday, was obviously a popular day and the park was full of all different sorts of people, although predominately families with young children. This made for a buzzing atmosphere and those with a commercial flare were endeavouring to make the most of it. There were various vendors dotted throughout the park, selling anything ranging from helium balloons to hot dogs to candy floss. Ben was tempted by some candy floss but thought better of it. Not good for the teeth, he mused.

In the centre of the park, by the lake, a throng had started to gather. Ben felt drawn there, too. A mini-stage had been set up and currently, a clown was doing his stuff. This had attracted the attention of many, particularly those with small children. Little amuses the innocent thought Ben, as he and a multitude of others watched a man in a brightly coloured costume with baggy trousers and glaring red suspenders, trip over his own cumbersome, curvy toed shoes, whip out flowers that squirted water and generally indulge in all sorts of tomfoolery.

As Ben stood, rooted to the spot, staring at the colourful display on offer, he suddenly felt a tug on his right side. As was his habit, when visiting unknown places, he was wearing his long trousers with large side pockets. These were particularly handy for tucking his wallet and telephone into, one on each side, and as he went along, he could regularly feel them and thus reassure himself that these two important items were safe.

The tug caused immediate alarm because the right side was where he kept his wallet, something highly important to not lose. He jerked his gaze away from the clown and to the right to see what had caused the tug. He was shocked to see a stubbly man, black hair and not very tall, standing next to him, with his hand stretched out, clasping Ben’s wallet, and in the process of extracting it from the pocket it was in.

There was an awkward moment as Ben stared at the thief and he stared back at Ben. It was an unusual situation to be in and neither knew quite how to react. After a few seconds though, the thief decided to flee, whipping completely the wallet out of Ben’s pocket and then turning to run. Ben hesitated, not knowing quite the right course of action. He realised that he would be in trouble without the wallet and so instinctively began to pursue the man.

It was a bit like a scene from a classic Hollywood movie as the thief darted between people and shimmed around corners and other obstacles to try and get away, with Ben following not far behind. Ben had done a lot of running in his youth, so felt in good shape, although he was hindered in his pursuit by the thought of what he would actually do if he caught up with the man.

After a brief chase, things came to their culmination when the man took a sharp left. A few seconds later Ben also took this left turn, starting to breathe heavily and uncertain how much he would be able to go on. However, as he turned the corner he was met by what would have been a comedy scene if it wasn’t for the fact that the situation was so serious. The thief was lying sprawled on the ground, with another man beside him, and between them was a large book and the wallet. When the man saw Ben he quickly got to his feet and took off again. This time Ben let him go as the thing of interest, his wallet, remained there, lying on the floor.  Ben went over and grabbed his wallet and then addressed the other man.

'Are you alright?'

'Da, totul e bine!', was a slightly groggy response from him, as he started to sit up.

Ben lent over him and began to help him to his feet. He was wearing a fairly smart suit, missing a tie and, oddly, he had a black t-shirt on as opposed to a shirt. Ben helped him dust himself off. As he was doing so, his attention was drawn to the book lying on the ground. It was largish and pretty thick and had the word ‘Biblia’ written on its cover.

'Is this yours?' Ben asked the man as he bent over to pick the book up.

'Yes, thank you,' came the reply in unexpectedly good English.

Ben returned the book to the man, who accepted it with great glee.

'Are you American?' said the man.

'No, not quite', answered Ben.

'Ah, yes, I hear your accent now. British! Nice to meet you. I am Ovidiu. What is your name?'

'My name is Ben,' he said. 'Thank you for helping', he added, not really knowing how else to interpret the situation and being slightly embarrassed about indirectly causing Ovidiu’s small accident.

'Nu-i nimic! It’s nothing! Actually, I think it is God’s plan,' Ovidiu reassured him.

Ben wasn’t sure about the divine intervention, but he was certainly glad to have his wallet back. It would have been a nightmare to have tried to get through a few days in Bucharest without it. Ben wasn’t much of a one for small talk, but he felt like he owed Ovidiu something.

'You speak good English,' he offered as a compliment.

Ovidiu was visibly pleased to hear this. 'Oh, thank you. I am Masters’ student of foreign languages.'

This explained it. Ben started to think about offering him an ice cream as a reward or maybe better said, compensation, but Ovidiu jumped the gun and evidently had other plans.

'Well, I am glad to help, but I need to go now. I am sorry for thief. România are nevoie de Dumnezeu! Romania needs God!'

'Ok. Thank you again!'

'Maybe you give to me telephone number. We could go to church tomorrow.'

Ben hadn’t really been expecting a church invite and so wasn’t sure what to say.

'I’m sorry, but I don’t have a telephone yet. Maybe you can give me your number?'

Ovidiu happily obliged, offering his number on a scrap of paper. Then he abruptly turned and headed off. Ben started to feel like abrupt goodbyes were perhaps the done thing around here.           

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay