Ordinary Places

*****

It’s been some time since he came back to this country. 

Did that make sense? A person of good wealth and social status, who’s had his fair share of experiences around the world, chose to live in a crammy, not-so-flashy-street, in a house right opposite to the old mosque in a developing country? 

A guy, twice younger than his age, who was sitting next to him for past 20 minutes voiced his question: "Why here? You could have lived anywhere you want, then why here? "

He smiled slyly, touched the rim of his cup to his lips and took a sip of the tea which was now cold.

He thought about the times when he was 25, he went Skydiving in Ontario, Canada. He could feel that adrenaline rush through his veins. But that rush lasted for a couple of days, only.

When he was 33, once he spent the most wonderful evening, over looking the glittery London, from the Eye of London. A beautiful female was his companion that evening. He felt so alive. The look in her eyes, it made him feel like the most desired man on Earth. But unfortunately even that feeling lasted for a couple of months, only. 

In his late 40s retired, he was in Beaufort, North Carolina, US. Sailing his small boat midst of the serene sea. Even though he was all alone in the middle of the sea, his insides were an absoulte chaos. 

No matter where he went, the voices in his head never died. The feelings, never lasted enough for him to cherish. 

Nostalgic from those flashbacks, he peered up, and looked straight at the small shop across the street.

"Young man, I’ll give you a piece of advice, in my life of 53 years and my traveling of 38 years, I’ve learned only one thing. Sometimes even in the most Ordinary places, one could find something extraordinary.

For me, the extraordinary was inner peace" he said as a smile tugged at his lips. 

He placed the cup next to him on the bench and laziluy started towards the entrance of the mosque as the prayer call was echoing in the street. The way he walked, it seemed as every step he took, he actually enjoyed it. His whole stance was like dancing in peace. 

The young man, utterly speechless watched him walk away as if he was the most content man alive.