Morning arrived, and Mr. Tasha woke up early.
The workers had already gathered all the equipment after the party ended, It took them about an hour.
Mr. Tasha went downstairs and looked at the spot where the musical instruments had been the night before, Then he looked through the glass toward the garden, The chairs were gone.
Everything that had happened the night before, joy, love, and happiness, had been just a moment. A simple event that would remain as a memory for those who attended.
Mr. Tasha went to the kitchen and prepared breakfast, He made enough food for three people, since Mary and Charlie had spent the night there.
…
Half an hour after Mr. Tasha woke up, Charlie woke up first, Fatigue was still visible on him.
He washed his face, got dressed, and went downstairs. He did not wake Mary, knowing she would wake up soon.
Charlie looked around and recalled the happiness of last night's celebration, Then he heard sounds coming from the kitchen.
He headed there, Mr. Tasha was still preparing breakfast.
"Good morning, Mr. Tasha. You woke up early." Charlie said.
"Good morning, Charlie. Waking up early is a habit of mine. How are you?" Mr. Tasha asked calmly while frying the eggs.
"I'm fine. Are you making breakfast? Let me help you." Charlie offered.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll refuse. I prefer cooking alone, It's part of my own pleasure." Mr. Tasha replied calmly and clearly.
Charlie looked at him quietly, Mr. Tasha was truly difficult to understand.
An ambitious man who seemed indifferent. His emotions were not visible, yet he turned them into actions. He expected nothing in return from anyone, Honest with himself and sincere toward it. A truly strange man, full of contradictions.
Charlie imagined another person in Mr. Tasha's place. Would he be as generous? Would he truly be honest with himself?
It was difficult for anyone to be like Mr. Tasha. His position as a successful, wealthy man with a name in the world, combined with a personality that formed the foundation of everything, made it nearly impossible.
Who would not be blinded by money? By power? By desire? Who could avoid these traps when rich?
A mind of steel? That was impossible without a will of steel.
Charlie had once been his friend, but he could not be like him. Still, he pushed himself to become better, That was Mr. Tasha's influence.
Why did all the employees love and respect him? Because he changed something within them. He affected them, He made them strive for something better, and more importantly, he made them honest with themselves. That was why they were all happy for Mr. Tasha's happiness and found no way to help him during his emptiness, knowing they could not, and knowing that Mr. Tasha would overcome any hardship.
"Mr. Tasha, what do you desire in this life?" Charlie asked spontaneously.
"What do I desire?" Mr. Tasha replied. "In truth, I desire nothing from life. My duty as a human is to fulfill my own desire at its proper time with all my effort. I should not wait for life, coincidence, luck, or people. If I do, it would be difficult for me to remain myself, Charlie." His eyes were steady and sincere.
Charlie was surprised, though such an answer was expected from Mr. Tasha.
At that moment, Mary entered the kitchen, smiling.
"Good morning, Mary. How are you?" Charlie said. Mary looked better, with little fatigue showing.
"I'm fine, Charlie. But I didn't know you had become a philosopher." she said, smiling and laughing lightly.
Charlie smiled back. "I didn't expect that from myself either."
"Good morning, Mr. Tasha. How are you?" Mary greeted him.
"I'm fine, Mary. You may eat here in the kitchen, or if you prefer, in the living room or the garden." Mr. Tasha offered.
Charlie stepped forward and sat at the kitchen table, Mary joined him, and Mr. Tasha began serving breakfast.
The table was filled with a variety of food: juice, tea, coffee, fruits, sliced cucumbers with black and green olives, a plate of cheese beside croissants, and a dish of fried eggs. It was a rich and diverse spread.
They ate quietly.
Charlie looked comfortable, clearly enjoying the food. Mary showed surprise as she tasted the eggs, the seasoning and mozzarella balls created a strange yet harmonious contrast.
Before finishing breakfast, Charlie and Mary praised Mr. Tasha's cooking skills. He smiled and shared the recipe with them so they could try making it themselves, They thanked him once more.
Mr. Tasha offered to drive them, but they refused and prepared to leave.
…
Charlie and Mary were a beautiful couple.
They were different, each with their own personality, interests, thoughts, and desires. Their differences created a strange harmony, a new flavor in life.
Charlie fell in love with her first, back when they had known each other in the past, but he did not tell her.
He struggled between continuing his university studies and working to support his family, Mary loved Charlie for his personality.
He was fun and considerate at the same time, Not arrogant or conceited, He was self-sacrificing, He wanted to quit his studies, but Mary stopped him.
Charlie could not see what Mary saw, She believed that difficult family circumstances were just a phase that could be overcome with patience, but the opportunity to complete his studies might never return.
Charlie hesitated and thought deeply.
He consulted his friend Tasha, a man who had faced even harsher conditions, no family, only himself facing the world, overcoming himself, climbing step by step. Through work, study, and planning, he became formidable.
Tasha encouraged him to continue.
His reasoning was simple: circumstances do not rule a person, the person rules circumstances.
Charlie admired Tasha's answer and decided to continue, Yet he never forgot Mary's words or her support, which only deepened his love.
Charlie confessed, but Mary neither rejected him nor answered.
Despite her calm and gentle personality, she was extremely shy. She could not answer, nor could she say it was not the right time, Charlie understood and remained silent.
Fate had them complete their studies and begin working in different places, This made them more distant and busier, but Mr. Tasha brought them together again, He created another opportunity for them.
Mary grew to love Charlie even more, his actions, his behavior. He was social, while she was introverted, yet together they formed a beautiful blend.
"Mary, will you marry me?" Charlie asked in Mary's office, during the period when Mr. Tasha was absent.
Mary dropped the papers in her hands, Her cheeks and ears turned red. Shyness was an overwhelming emotion in a young woman's heart.
"Y… yes," she replied, broken but sincere.
"Yes? She said yes! Amaaaazing!" Charlie shouted with joy, drawing the attention of others.
Soon, the company was filled with cheers and happiness, Everyone knew they loved each other. Their time had simply come.
It was a joy to watch them.
Their love was not driven by desire, money, or lust.
It was genuine.