Chapter 19: The Recipe for Confession

In the evening, as Haari walked home from his office, he reflected on his conversation with Rafta. The city lights were beginning to twinkle, casting a soft glow over the streets. Turning a corner, he noticed a familiar little shop with a charming wooden counter and simple decor.

Inside, Mina, Aya, and Nina sat at a corner table, their laughter and chatter blending with the rich aroma of broth.

“This is good, Old Man. I didn’t know there was such tasty food available in our city at such a low price,” Mina’s face lit up with delight as she took a bite of her meal.

Aya, savoring her meal, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, the restaurants are too expensive in our city. Sometimes they go too far with their prices, and when you buy them, they don’t even taste good.”

Nina, glancing at a photo on the wall, asked, “Old Man, is that your son in the picture?”

Mina and Aya leaned in, their curiosity piqued. Aya remarked, “He’s really handsome!”

Mina, clearly interested, asked, “Which college does he go to?”

The Old Man, wiping down the counter with a cloth, chuckled softly. “Oh, that’s not my son.”

The girls exchanged puzzled looks. “So who is he?” Nina inquired.

“That’s actually a photo of me when I was younger,” the Old Man said, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips.

Mina, Aya, and Nina stared at the Old Man in shock. "Whaaaaat?" they exclaimed in unison, their mouths slightly agape as they processed the revelation.

The Old Man, noticing their surprise, chuckled and said, “Hey, take it easy.”

“Are you kidding me?” Mina, her disbelief evident, asked.

“Kidding? Why should I do that?” The Old Man shook his head, a grin on his face.

“Is that really you, Old Man?” Aya leaned in closer, her curiosity piqued.

“Yeah, it is me.” With a warm smile, the Old Man nodded.

Nina, deep in thought, couldn’t help but think to herself, *If I had been born a few years earlier, there’s no way I would have let someone like him slip away.*

“Hey, don’t be so sad,” the Old Man said with a reassuring smile. “Even though I look older now, I’m still just as energetic as I was in my younger days. I have a special recipe just for someone special. Once you try it, I guarantee you’ll never forget it. My wife still loves that energetic recipe of mine. Once you taste it, you won’t look for another restaurant.”

Mina glanced at her watch, concern in her eyes. "We'll try that recipe of yours next time, but right now it's getting late, so we need to head home."

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“Yeah, we need to head out,” Aya agreed, standing up. “Bye, Old Man. We’ll see you next time.”

"Bye, take care and get home safely," the Old Man called after them, his voice full of warmth. "Make sure you come back—my special recipe will always be ready for you."

"Yeah, we will," Mina said.

As the girls left, Haari stepped into the shop, greeted by the cozy ambiance and the soft, golden light from hanging lanterns. He approached the counter where the Old Man was finishing his cleaning.

“Hey, Old Man,” Haari said, glancing around at the shop’s inviting decor.

The Old Man looked up with a friendly smile. “Ah, Haari, welcome.”

“I heard you talking about a special recipe,” Haari said, his tone cautious as he took in the shop’s nostalgic charm.

The Old Man’s smile grew mischievous. “Oh, that? I don’t have anything like that. I was just having a bit of fun with them.”

Haari’s face was thoughtful and troubled. "I don’t think you're at an age where you should be joking with college girls like that."

"Ah, sorry," the Old Man said.

“You seem down. What’s troubling you?” Noticing Haari’s concern, the Old Man’s gaze softened.

“I’m dealing with some personal issues.” Haari sighed, his shoulders sagging.

The Old Man listened attentively, the shop’s comforting atmosphere providing a supportive backdrop. “You know, Rafta had a point,” the Old Man said thoughtfully. “Spending the whole day with a girl and going to different places without a clear relationship isn’t ideal.”

“How can you be so sure?” Haari looked intrigued.

The Old Man laughed, a knowing look in his eyes. “Just what do you think of me? Do you think I spent my whole life doing nothing?”

“What do you mean?” Haari’s curiosity deepened.

"I know everything about women more than anybody else could ever know," the Old Man said, staring into Haari's eyes.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” Haari replied.

“Tell me, how many girlfriends did you have when you were in college?” the Old Man then asked.

“Many—I never had any girlfriend,” Haari responded.

“Are you kidding me?” the Old Man, looking surprised, said.

“No, I’m serious,” Haari replied.

“I’ve never told this to anyone, but I’ll tell you now. When I was in college, I had six girlfriends,” the Old Man continued.

“Six?” Haari was shocked.

“And the twist is, they all studied in the same class, and none of them knew I was dating the others,” the Old Man nodded.

“So how did you manage that?” Haari, even more shocked, asked.

“It’s called experience,” the Old Man smiled and said.

“I’ve never been in a relationship before, so what should I do?” Haari then said.

“There is only one solution to solve your situation,” the Old Man responded.

“There is?” Haari asked.

“Go and confess your feelings to her. That’s all,” the Old Man said.

“Whaaaat? Are you kidding me? I asked for a solution, not for how to invite death!” Haari exclaimed.

“Look, if the girl is interested in you, she will accept your confession,” the Old Man replied.

“If she’s not?” Haari asked.

The Old Man said, “Simple—she will reject you.”

An arrow of rejection cut through Haari’s heart. The Old Man, in a serious mood, continued, “Look, it’s better than having one-sided love. If you hold these feelings in your heart and do nothing, then one day someone else might come and make his move on her before you even realize it. He could take her away, and you’ll be left watching her go. Soon, she might even have a baby with him, and then you’ll regret not making your move when you had the chance.”

Haari, reflecting on the Old Man’s words, nodded slowly. “I guess you’re right. It’s better to take a chance than to wonder ‘what if’.”

The Old Man chuckled. “Ah, youth. So full of potential and fears. Just remember, even if she says no, it’s a step forward. And who knows? You might just surprise yourself.”

Haari managed a small smile. “Thanks, Old Man. I guess I needed a push.”

The Old Man winked. “Anytime, kid. And don’t worry about those college girls. They might just come back for that special recipe.”

Haari laughed, feeling a bit lighter. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

As Haari left the shop, the Old Man watched him go with a satisfied smile. The shop, filled with the aroma of broth and the warmth of advice, continued to be a haven for those seeking both comfort and wisdom.

To be continue.........