Fork In A Soup Bowl

Serene stood paralyzed after hearing Killian's words. She had assumed that Killian and his lover were still together.

After all, who travels all the way from France to the Netherlands just on a lover's recommendation?

But the true matter at hand was more profound; Serene understood that sometimes we prioritize certain individuals so much that they become the center of our universe.

Killian remained motionless, staring out the window, not moving or offering any further explanation. Serene, still in a state of shock, eventually averted her gaze from him. She turned her back to Killian, who stood about three feet away behind her.

Serene cast her eyes to the sky, watching the stars, and then, in her usual sweet and peaceful voice, she spoke, her words drifting across the distance to Killian's ears.

— "Why did she leave you? Did she not even think to give you a reason?"

Killian paused, taken aback that Serene would ask such a personal question, considering they had only met moments ago.

How could she inquire so casually, as if they had known each other for years? Yet, deep within, Killian felt too drained to argue or question her further.

But his pride prevented him from showing vulnerability, so he decided to counter with a question rather than providing an answer.

— "Why are you asking, anyway?"

Serene smiled, though Killian couldn't see it as her back was turned to him. She responded in her melodious voice.

— "If I can help you, I will. Heartbreak hurts until you meet someone who can help you to heal. You can tell me if you want to."

Killian was momentarily silenced, surprised that Serene would offer to help him heal.

He remained still, contemplating her words, then reminded her of his original purpose for being there.

— "I suppose you've forgotten that I came here to inquire about Café Wabi-Sabi, not to talk about myself."

— "Sometimes we should welcome the unexpected into our lives. Who knows how much happiness might enter."

Serene turned to face Killian, continuing,

— "Imagine, did you ever think you'd come to the Netherlands? And I bet you never imagined you'd find yourself in Café Wabi-Sabi. Did you?"

Just then, a bell on her desk rang, and Serene, with a profound smile, told Killian,

— "I'll be back in a few minutes; my customers are waiting."

She walked away, leaving Killian to his thoughts. He pondered what kind of person Serene was.

He wondered what Lana saw in her that made her speak so highly of her, something Lana rarely did. When Serene returned, she asked,

— "Are your questions answered?"

Killian scrutinized Serene before posing his most pressing question,

— "Did you ever imagine you'd create a café like this? Ever in your life?"

— "I did; it was my childhood dream. But you haven't shared anything about yourself."

— "Why do you want to know about me?"

— "I believe if you want to truly know someone, you should let them understand you too."

Serene explained. Killian looked at her, perplexed by her statement. Serene sought to clarify.

— "I mean, if you really want to know someone, you must first open up your soul so they can decide if you're worth listening to. People love it when their soul resonates with someone else's."

Killian took a deep breath, speaking slowly,

— "My life is dull, like a fork in a soup bowl. It was always like that until my lover, my girlfriend, entered my life. Everything changed—my priorities, my attention, my love. Without her, I couldn't plan anything. When she left, I felt I had nothing left to share. If I talk, it will always be about her. Perhaps you too will get bored..."

— "I won't!"

Serene interrupted Killian mid-sentence. He looked at her, disbelief in his eyes. Serene continued,

— "I am a good listener. It's one of the rules of my café: strangers talk with strangers and share their life stories. You can do that with me too. There's nothing to be embarrassed about."

Their eyes met again, and in that moment, something unspoken passed between them.

The wind gently rustled, sending the white curtains fluttering.

One corner brushed against Killian's shoulder, while the other softly grazed Serene's hand, as if comforting her like a delicate touch for a baby.

The silence between them was extraordinary in its own right, a silence charged with unspoken words and emotions.

Neither Killian nor Serene fully comprehended the depth of the moment they were sharing. Killian, with a mix of hesitancy and resolve, finally broke the stillness.

— "I came here because she recommended this café to me. She told me it could change someone profoundly, that it would help me spiritually. That's why I came to visit Amsterdam, her dream city. She wanted to visit this place again, and I wonder with whom."

His voice was laden with a blend of longing and melancholy.

Killian was not merely speaking about a physical journey to a new city, but a metaphysical one, a journey through his own soul and the memories of his lost love, Lana.

The notion that a place, a mere café, could hold such transformative power was both a beacon of hope and a point of skepticism for him. Serene's response was measured, almost philosophical.

— "Some people are meant to become our memories. We can't do anything about it. It's better to accept it as a lesson in life. Everything in our lives happens for a reason; nothing is without purpose."

Her words were like a gentle breeze, calming and yet profound.

She spoke with the wisdom of someone who had seen and felt much, someone who understood the complexities of human relationships and the inevitability of change.

Serene was subtly guiding him to find meaning in his loss, to see it as a part of a greater tapestry of life. Killian's brow furrowed as he tried to grasp this concept.

— "If they aren't meant to stay forever, then why do they come into our lives?"

Here, Killian's question was charged with frustration and confusion. It reflected a common human struggle—the search for understanding in the face of impermanence.

Why do people enter our lives only to leave us, taking pieces of our hearts with them?

His inquiry was not just about Lana, but about the very nature of relationships and the fleeting nature of happiness.

— "Everything in our lives is temporary. Just like happiness and sadness, everything arrives at the perfect time."

Her words held a truth that was both simple and profound: nothing lasts forever, and each emotion, each experience, has its rightful place and time.

— "Then why are those moments the most beautiful and also the most painful?"

Killian asked, a hint of desperation in his voice. The moments that bring us the greatest joy often leave us with the deepest scars when they pass.

Killian's struggle was to reconcile the beauty of his time with Lana with the pain of her absence.

— "Remember, even the moon has scars. In this world, perfection doesn't exist. Every beautiful thing has its own scars, and humans are no different. We are beautiful, and that's why we get hurt; we get scars."

Serene's metaphor of the moon was poetic and powerful.

By reminding Killian that even the celestial body admired for its beauty has imperfections, she was emphasizing that flaws and pain are intrinsic to beauty.

Her words carried a message of acceptance and resilience. The idea that humans, like the moon, are beautiful because of their scars, not in spite of them, was a profound realization for Killian.

Killian listened intently to Serene's words. She was unlike anyone he had ever met. Her insights, her calm demeanor, and her eloquent way of speaking captivated him.

It was clear how she had stolen Lana's heart. How could she not also captivate his?

The ambient noise outside—the sounds of midnight traffic, the distant chatter of people—created a backdrop that contrasted with the tranquility inside the café.

The rich aroma of coffee filled the air, mingling with the sense of calm that Serene's presence brought.

Serene's smile was bright as she moved toward the window, looking out.

— "Have you visited any museums in Amsterdam?"

She inquired. Her question was a gentle nudge, a way to shift the conversation toward a shared experience.

Killian joined her at the window, gazing out at the moonlight and the stars shining like pearls.

Though Serene stood far from him, it was as if she reached his shoulder, an invisible connection bridging the physical distance.

— "I haven't visited Amsterdam yet."

Killian admitted. Serene chuckled, her laughter like a gentle breeze.

— "Would you like to visit Museum? With me?"

Her laughter was light, almost musical, breaking the tension with its simplicity. Her offer was unexpected, yet it felt right.

Silence enveloped them once more, but it was a comfortable silence, full of possibilities. Serene broke it again before it could stretch too long.

— "At least, you both live under the same sky."

Killian turned to look at her, puzzled by her words. Serene smiled but kept her gaze forward.

— "Your lover and you, you both live under the same sky. Find solace in that if you still love her."

Her words were simple yet profound. By reminding Killian that he and Lana still shared the same sky, she was offering him a way to feel connected to her despite the physical distance.

It was a reminder that love transcends space and time, that the bonds we form are not easily broken. A small smile tugged at Killian's lips.

He realized he had always wanted a conversation like this, one that was deep, meaningful, and soothing.

He had never met anyone who spoke with such depth, politeness, and gentleness. Serene embodied all of these qualities.

— "So, when are we going to visit the museum?"