It’s incredible how much you can say without saying anything at all.

I didn’t think too much of you when you wanted to use the squat rack in between my sets. But when you noticed I needed a bar cover for hip thrusts and stopped your treadmill flow just to grab me a towel, there was a strange wash that came over me.

I opened my eyes and you were there - you weren’t even slightly tired from your run - with a yellow roll right above my face. 

My instinct told me to politely reject it. You insisted. I shook my head. You (in an animated way I have never seen before from a stranger) pistol squatted and left it beside me before disappearing again. 

It was such a strange encounter (mostly attributed to the pistol squat). 

But I love vibrantly strange encounters.

—

P.S. - The towel was a game-changer.

I found myself loitering outside the exit after my workout was done just to thank you. On a regular day, I would have left. But I felt a pull of obligation to say something to return the gesture. 

I had heard you speaking Korean - maybe I could tell you I had just flown in from Seoul today.

I saw you cheering for a soccer team on the TV - maybe I could tell you about the time I saw Manchester City. 

I spent about 10 minutes practicing lines I could say once you stepped out. 

Once the clock hit 10:30, I saw you Naruto-running out of the gym, comically again, carrying your girlfriend piggyback style as she giggled. 

You both looked so happy. Even I laughed.

I waved at you and half-shouted thank you. You paused momentarily, gave me a smile and salute, and before I could say anything else, went back to running down the hallway. I heard her laughter echo. 

My rehearsed lines scratched the tip of my tongue. I took a step forward - I think I wanted to say them still - but the moment was over. So I stepped back. 

I haven’t stopped thinking about that exchange. If I had said more - would we be friends? Perhaps we could’ve grabbed tea together the next day. Perhaps I could have shared my favourite spots around the city for your next date night. 

I’m getting ahead of myself. 

I don’t even know what your voice sounds like.