The Night Has Come

The sticks hold the sushi over the plate. The red walls of the japanese restaurant echo “Stand By Me” while he eats. The place reminds him someone who isn’t sitting with him anymore for the past few months.

He was sitting alone in a table with three other empty chairs. The menu is still opened next to him. He keeps staring at a fixed point but there’s nothing to see.

He eats slowly, he isn’t enjoying the food. For the past few months he hasn’t been appreciating the things he’d liked the most.

The song remains playing in the restaurant. His thoughts suddenly become memories while the lyrics of the song touched his ears. Feelings are filling his eyes with emotions.

The Moon was the only thing he could see through the window. “I’m now afraid”, he said. The lyrics reminded him who once prevented him from the fear. There were no “we” looking at the sky and the mountains had crumbled to the sea.

He closed his eyes as his hands slowly dropped the sticks on the table. He’s only living memories in his head now.

The song’s finished. He woke up from his memories as he heard the sound of the plates in other tables. The ice of his tea melted while his eyes were closed, and the waiter had took the menu from his table. Despite the memories had made him happy for some time he’s now back to reality and every sip of his iced tea is bitter.

He finished eating and he’s now walking back to his house. Going to the restaurant made him realize that even if songs could bring comfort for some time, they all have an end. The only thing left are the memories when “darling, you were standing by him”.