Keb and Jan ***

Keb loved Jan. She was not his daughter. He did not have any daughters. But he felt an inexplicable bond with her. He wished her well. From his soul. He knew her strengths. He marvelled seeing Jan's talents and achievements. He was proud of her. He often felt he knew her strengths even better than she herself did. Jan was delicate and fragile. Keb felt deeply for Jan, especially when she went through her occasional stormy periods. But Jan was often distant and remote. She was fond of Keb and sometimes showed it. These were high points in Keb's otherwise drab life. And occasionally Jan would go through particularly rough patches. And when this happened, she would seek out Keb for comfort and solace. Keb could share her agony and despair and would offer soothing words in his clumsy way. And then - the storm would blow over. And Keb would be left alone once again - without his daughter. Keb's heart would rejoice that Jan was happy once again. He just wanted his daughter to be happy.

***

The man approached Keb in purposeful strides. "Look. You don't know me. But I know you very well. I have been observing you".

Keb was stunned. He looked at the man blankly. The man looked around furtively. Then he grabbed Keb's elbow and looked into his eyes. "I want you to stay away from Jan. You are disturbing her peace. I won't repeat this. Just go away".

Keb stood silently, looking at the receding image of the man. He felt a strange emptiness. Slowly his shoulders drooped. He looked down at the grey floor. It looked greyer than the last time he had seen it. He blinked, suddenly realising the glaze over his eyes.