Broken Teacups

xviii. the day theo david finally believes in love

[written on valentine's day, 2017]

It's that time of the year again. The time of the year a lot of people anxiously wait for. The time of the year when presents are given to a special someone and heart-shaped decorations fill the city until one gets tired of seeing pink, pink and yet more pink everywhere.

But Theo David feels no difference. For him, this time of the year is no more special than any other.

He does not wait for it. He does not buy presents for anyone. He doesn't pay any interest in the streamers and rose petals that adorn every lamppost he passes.

Nor does he mope about how he does not have anyone for whom he should look forward to this time of the year. He doesn't feel bad about being alone.

He simply locks the door of his house and walks on. He walks on and on, for half a kilometer, until he reaches a restaurant. He enters it and goes to the employees' room, where he puts on his smart black uniform, of which he is very proud. After looking into the mirror several times to make sure that it is neat and clean, he steps out of the room, ready for work.

Today, his tasks are a bit different than normal. To cover the tables, he's instructed to use pink, lacy tablecloths instead of the usual white ones. The plates that he polishes have tiny hearts carved into the edges. The fresh sodas that he prepares have rose petals floating in them instead of lemons.

Still, he feels no difference. For him, it is just a regular day, no more special than any other.

All day long, he serves happy couples who sit beside each other at their tables, hands entwined, eyes drinking up the image of the other. He has to tap them gently on the shoulder to gain their attention and take the order, and once again to gain their attention and help them acknowledge that their food has arrived.

In the afternoon, he is given half an hour of lunch break. He walks out into the cold streets and sits down under his favorite tree, opening his lunchbox eagerly. He finds the sandwiches he had prepared earlier that day and starts eating happily.

After a while, a young man sits down beside him, looking thoroughly distraught. When asked about the reason for his discomfort, he mutters something about a break-up and sniffles, peering up at the clouds. Theo offers some kind words of sympathy, continuing with his sandwich, shaking his head at the problems that accompany young love.

And still, he feels no difference. For him, it is just a regular day, no more special than any other.

After his lunch, he heads back to the restaurant and works some more until finally, at eight o' clock, he removes his uniform, slips his normal clothes back on and leaves for his home.

On his way, he sees many couples sitting side by side, talking together, laughing together and being silly together. A shower of roses falls from one of the buildings beside him, causing many shrieks and giggles from the young folk around him. A single rose falls onto his shoulder and he simply brushes it away, thinking nothing of it.

Because he feels no difference. For him, it is just a regular day, no more special than any other.

When he reaches home, he checks his mailbox and finds an envelope inside of it. He absentmindedly opens it and widens his eyes with joy when he realizes that it's a reply from an organization that he had reached out to, requesting for a part-time job. The organization works for the happiness and comfort of orphans and Theo is interested.

The next morning, he arrives at the orphanage ten minutes early, eager to get involved. He is instructed to look after a little girl and play with her. All day long, he spends time with her, reading books to her, playing tic-tac-toe with her, tickling her and making her laugh. He grows fond of her and is pleased with himself for making a little orphan girl's day.

When he is leaving, the girl runs up to him and hugs him.

"Thank you!" she grins. "For playing with me!"

Theo smiles at her, feeling a rush of happiness which soon fades when he realizes that every other child is saying the same thing to the person who had been looking after them. Nevertheless, he pats the girl's head and turns to go home. She suddenly stops him by tugging on his trousers. He looks down at her in surprise.

"I heard Ms. Angelo tell her big, big daughter that the best valentines are the ones who make you happy."

Theo frowns at her. "Okay?"

"I didn't have a valentine yesterday. So can you be my valentine today, Mr. David?"

And for once, Theo David actually feels happy that it is that time of the year. He observes the decorations on the streets. He gives genuine smiles to the couples walking around. He feels different today. As if this day is a bit more special than any other. He might be twenty four hours too late, but he doesn't care. He finally believes in love.