Mr. Tasha entered his room and changed into comfortable clothes. He then sat on his bed, picked up a book, and began to read.
The habit itself seemed strange at its core. Reading? Some might ask what its benefit is when they barely remember anything they have read.
Mr. Tasha had never thought that way.
To him, reading was a key to thinking, even if many failed to see its value.
He did see it.
Having studied history in the past, he discovered that great minds shared one essential trait, an intense hunger for knowledge, and the most important means to satisfy that hunger was reading.
You will not remember, yes.
But you will live the idea once you truly understand it.
After reflecting briefly on the subject of reading, Mr. Tasha returned to his book.
…
Early morning.
The alarm rang at five o'clock.
Mr. Tasha woke up, washed his face, drank a glass of water, then changed his clothes to go for a run.
He did not listen to music while running, He refused to subject himself to what he considered nonsense in all its forms.
His focus was sharp. Why would he need a sound that distracts him from the world and numbs his senses? Mr. Tasha lived reality, he did not escape from it.
…
About an hour later, he returned home, took a shower, and prepared a meal for himself.
After that, he made a cup of hot coffee, sat down, picked up a new book, and began to read.
"Truly interesting." Mr. Tasha murmured, having read for over fifteen minutes.
The book discussed the concept of manhood, and the more he read, the deeper he felt himself sinking into its subject.
'A real man… what is a real man?'
It was an important question that crossed Mr. Tasha's mind.
Asking the question was easy, Answering it was not.
In Mr. Tasha's life, and based on his experience and knowledge, a real man was, first and foremost, responsible.
Many people run from responsibility, believing it to be a burden.
Mr. Tasha held a different view.
'Responsibility leads to freedom... It is true freedom.'
In his mind, responsibility and freedom were inseparable.
He had lived this truth.
He had been responsible for himself, supported himself, and relied on himself.
The more responsibility he carried, the freer he felt.
He did not fear it, nor did he flee from it using excuses such as harsh circumstances.
A man's circumstances shape him, and a man shapes his circumstances.
The harsher the conditions, the more steadfast a man must be.
The more he endures and struggles, the more opportunity reveals itself.
These were the core principles and values of a real man in Mr. Tasha's eyes.
Anyone who lacked these fundamentals was walking a path that was either different or simply wrong.
Principles and values require one to be a real man first.
Mr. Tasha drifted into his thoughts, asking himself a question, answering it, then asking another.
It was an enjoyable inner dialogue, one that made him feel, for a brief moment, as if he had returned to his youth.
He had always been someone who drowned deeply in thought and contemplation.
'What a nostalgic feeling, Honesty with oneself is also part of the essence of a real man.' he thought with a smile.
Mr. Tasha closed the book and stood up to change his clothes.
Time to go to work.
…
Mr. Tasha entered his company, where Charlie had just arrived as well and greeted him.
"Good morning, Mr. Tasha. How are you?" Charlie looked much better, he had clearly slept well.
"Good morning, Charlie. Weren't you on an open vacation? What are you doing here?" Mr. Tasha asked.
"I came to invite everyone and then leave. Today is Thursday, and the party will be on Saturday, as you know." Charlie answered honestly.
"Where will you hold it?"
"I'll rent a hall, It should be close to the company so I don't inconvenience everyone on their way back. Everyone lives in the city, so choosing a venue outside the city would be troublesome." Charlie explained his reasoning.
"Charlie, hold the party at my house. Inform everyone of that." Mr. Tasha said calmly.
"But, Mr. Tasha, I refuse. You've already done so much for us." Charlie objected immediately.
"Charlie, don't refuse. I would truly appreciate it if you did." Mr. Tasha said, not accepting his refusal.
Mr. Tasha wanted everyone to feel comfortable knowing the party would be close to work, and he also wanted to observe their bonds with one another.
Filling his house with people would be a social occasion, something entirely different from Mr. Tasha's introverted nature.
He had always rejected gatherings and empty conversations devoid of meaning or value, preferring solitude.
But now, he wanted to try.
He wanted to be part of the crowd, even if only for a moment.
Understanding their bonds, and his bond with them, mattered to him.
'Mr. Tasha gives generously. Do I deserve this? I refused to be his friend because he is my boss, yet this side of him never changed. He accepted my opinion, respected it, and gave so much to me and to all of us. How can I accept this?' Charlie thought, then looked at Mr. Tasha.
"Why, Mr. Tasha?" Charlie asked, the weight evident on his face. He felt he had already received too much.
"Because I want to feel everyone." Mr. Tasha replied.
Charlie was surprised by the answer and said nothing.
He understood.
He nodded, then headed inside to inform everyone of the time and place.
The employees showed surprise, confusion, and happiness upon learning that the party would be held at Mr. Tasha's house.
Charlie did not explain why.
He simply told them it was the best place they would enjoy.
Mr. Tasha watched him quietly.
'Charlie, this is the stance of a real man. You may not realize it, but understanding my wish and carrying it out without explanation makes that wish mean a great deal.' Mr. Tasha thought, smiling.
...