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Stranger in the night

Something happened last night which makes me realised the importance of giving other people the benefit of a doubt. Having just been dumped(hate to use that word but it's the only way I can put it) I grew more suspicious about other people's motives towards me.
Since last week I spend my evening with KM for her company and willing ears to listen to me talk about my frustration, regrets and dissappointments. I would go to her place at about 6pm and then take the 11 pm bus to go home. Last night...
I was waiting standing at the bus stop (it was raining rather heavily), while talking to my friend on the phone. THne a 40-something old guy approached me and said something about a bus coming soon, or something like that. I was talking on the phone so I couldn't really hear what he said. I just assumed he was waiting for the bus like me. I thought he looked a bit drunk, or maybe it was my overactive imagination. After all those news about murder, attacks, kidnapping and everything, one couldn't help feeling scared and suspicious of overfriendly strangers.
I was beginning to get scared because he kept talking to me, introducing himself and kept asking if I was OK. A weird thing he said, don't worry, I'm on your side. I must have looked terrified then because after that he stood about 4 metres away from me, outside the bus shade in the rain. Even then he kept asking if I was OK, but I just turned my back on him. I almost screamed when he came up behind me and put my jacket hood over my head. I turned around and he grinned and said, cover your head, it's raining. I said I'm OK and after about 10 minutes of ignoring him and telling my friend over the phone how I thought this guy has gone cuckoo, the guy tapped on my shoulder and asked again if I was OK, and said something about worrying about me. HUH? what? I asked him if he is waiting for the bus and he said, No, I was just passing by and thought I need to look out for you because I' worried about you. It's scary to wait for the bus alone in the middle of the night, so, are you sure you're OK here by yourself? I was dumbfounded, I felt bad. What can I say to him? ermm.. I told him I 'm OK and not to worry about me because the bus is coming pretty soon. Guess what he did next?
He took my hand and kissed it, said goodnight and then he left. I didn't know what to say next. I felt bad and ashamed of myself for being too quick to judge people. Yes, I know we should be careful and on the lookout most of the time, but if we don't give the benefit of a doubt or take risk/chances on other people, we'll lose all these random acts of kindness from strangers. I wish I could meet him again (in a broad daylight of course!) to thank him properly and tell him his kindness is appreciated (not questioned!). And oh, I'll try not to go home too late in the night.

posted by miniME @ 9:47 PM