Quiet Moments

He has been abroad for over 10 years now. Coming back was the everyday's daydream. The picture of his own is printed in his head. He still remembers his neighbors, their traditions, day to day life and everything to the smallest detail. He can remember the streets he used to walk in, the places around him and even the signs.

It is the second day that he is back. He has spent his first day with his parents in their same old small house. He is preparing himself for the gathering with his relatives. It is something that he was not aware of in his first. It was a surprise that his parents had prepared for him. It was not the most pleasant one for him. But, he had to show an excitement that he did not have for it. Once he was ready, they all walked to the restaurant. His parents started to update him on everyone's life as they walk. They did not finish all the untold stories before they reach. But, here they are at the restaurant door.

He opened the door and saw the same old white walls, and the big window is placed on one of them. The place was dimmed as it was since his first visit. The only change was the staff wall, it is painted with different colors to make it more vibrant. But, the place still gives the same vibe.

He greeted everybody and everyone was excited to start a conversation with him. It was like everyone had something personal to share. Had a memory that they want to talk to him about. He had not yet finished speaking to everyone. But, the staff had served the food on tables. Everyone went back to their place.

As part of their tradition, they do not talk during meal time. The sound of forks and knives hitting those white plates was echoed in his head and slowly starting to fade away. It is like, in these quiet moments, his mind is leaving the place and starts thinking. He revisited every small talk that he had, his conversation. There was one question that he could not find an answer to. Why there was more talk about themselves and less about the journey abroad? Are we really making connections with others, or just looking for our self-image in others?

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