Sunset, Ch.1

The essay for Chapter 1.

A southern winter breeze carried with it a sharp, damp chill, seeping through the seams of his sweater and biting at his skin. In the distance, between the buildings, the fading sun cast its soft glow, marking the end of another day. The warm amber light of the sunset spread across the horizon, filling everything with a honeyed warmth, a brief reminder of warmth before the cold fully took over. The warmth of the last rays intertwined with the chill of the wind, creating a sense of melancholy. Stepping out of the subway, he pulled his wool scarf tighter, squinting against the glow of the sunset. It seemed especially warm today, almost golden. But his mood didn’t allow him to enjoy the view. The weight of the day, heavy in his chest, made it difficult to take pleasure in such beauty.

The walk home, just a few minutes long, felt much slower than usual. The light, now mixed with the cold of the evening, made everything look more distant. Thoughts of his patients, their struggles and pain, clung to him as he walked. Their emotional weight often followed him beyond his work, seeping into his own heart. Today was no different. The usual familiarity of the path home was now clouded with those emotions. He walked slowly, each step stretched by the heaviness of his thoughts. The world around him seemed to reflect the sorrow he carried, as if everything was more distant and harder to reach.

A soft melody interrupted his thoughts. He looked up and noticed an unfamiliar café had appeared on his usual path. It was a small place, tucked away between the buildings, and its entrance was framed by two white camellia bushes in full bloom. A young man, delicate in appearance, was tending to the plants. He moved carefully, watering the flowers with a focused expression. His pale skin and soft woolen scarf gave him an almost ethereal appearance. As their eyes met, the young man smiled and invited him inside for coffee. The unexpected kindness, the soft smile, and the peacefulness of the moment broke through his thoughts. He found himself walking into the café without fully realizing why.

Inside, the atmosphere was warm, with just a few wooden tables arranged neatly in the small space. The soft scent of coffee mixed with the sweet fragrance of flowers outside, creating a comforting air. Behind the counter, a middle-aged man prepared drinks with quiet precision, while the young man returned with the coffee. He explained that the café had recently opened, but despite its small size, the care put into the space and the coffee was clear. The young man’s enthusiasm for his work was evident in every word he spoke. He spoke of the special coffee blend they had developed, and the effort that had gone into making the place as welcoming as possible. There was something pure in his excitement, and it brought a small but real sense of warmth to the visitor.

As the young man continued speaking about the café, the visitor felt a small shift in his mood. The passion in the young man’s words, the care behind every action, made the heavy thoughts of the day seem far away. For a moment, the visitor could focus only on the warmth of the café, the deep aroma of coffee, and the simplicity of the conversation. The weight on his heart lightened, even if just for a moment, as the small joy of a well-made cup of coffee and a kind gesture began to make him feel more grounded. In that moment, the world felt just a little less heavy.