By Lataurus Black
10:48 a.m.
I find myself sitting in a small café, looking out the window. The traffic is terrible. The bumper-to-bumper cars make me wonder where everyone is going. Is it home or work? I wonder if any of those drivers are also searching for answers, perhaps trying to find a moment of peace like I am right now. As I take a sip, inhaling the roasted peach fragrance, your face, and beautiful smile appear here with me, then slowly fade away as if your face’s silhouette begs and teases me. I close my eyes, letting the bittersweet memories wash over me, feeling both comforted and haunted by your lingering presence.
I know now that my life’s purpose is to love you. As I sit, looking out the window and listening to the ambient sounds of the café, I hear the romantic sounds of two people laughing as if no one else is around them. I cannot help but glance over from my table to study them closely. The couple, lost in their world, their joy palpable and infectious. It stirs something profound within me, a reminder of the sacred connection we once shared. Their laughter echoes like a haunting melody, calling me back to moments of profound love and unspoken understanding. My heart aches with the realization that love, in its purest form, is both a gift and a burden—a journey that shapes us, breaks us, and ultimately defines our existence.
Watching them reminds me that love is a fleeting emotion and a transformative force that leaves an indelible mark on our souls. At this moment, amidst the clatter of dishes and the murmur of conversations, I vow to cherish the memories we created, allowing them to guide me as I navigate the labyrinth of my heart. This teaches me that two worlds cannot coexist, and we must learn from our journeys, even as we sit on congested roads. To fully understand where we have
been, we must not lose our beginning, and I have lost mine. Yet, in this loss, a path unfolds, a journey back to the roots of my soul.
Amidst the chaos of the roads, a whisper of past calls guided me through the fog of forgetfulness. It’s a quest not for the faint of heart but for those who seek to reclaim their essence, to find the compass within that points to home, to you, to love.
Like a light above the stars that play in my eyes, it grabs my attention away from phone screens and TVs that place me outside myself. It draws me into the present moment, grounding me in the here and now. The café’s warm ambiance, soft lighting, and gentle music feel like a sanctuary. Conversations flow around me like a river, each word a pebble creating ripples of connection. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the scent of blooming night jasmine, a reminder of life’s simple yet profound pleasures. As I sip my drink, I let the melody of the morning wash over me, reflecting on love, life, and the paths that have led me here.
It was always you; it was hidden in your eyes from the moment I saw you. I saw myself not as a kid but as a man with great strength to hold you, even with the fear surrounding you. I would be your house with walls to shield you from pain. Sitting here with my coffee in my hand, I know my purpose is to hug, kiss, and love you.
With renewed resolve, I leave the café and return to the bumper-to-bumper traffic. The congestion no longer frustrates me; it’s just another part of the journey. Each mile brings me closer to you, to home. The anticipation builds within me as the city moves around me, slow but steady. I grip the steering wheel; my heart is full of determination and love, knowing you are waiting for me at the end of this road.
All the pictures are from a story I wrote earlier this year called The Cup. I never got around to posting the story. But it is coming soon.
