Harun had lost count of the sunsets he had spent at the end of this stone pier. To him, this was more than just a pile of concrete and breakwater rocks; it was the border between his clamorous world and the silence he yearned for. Today, like so many other days, he once again set foot on the same stone, holding an old fishing rod that had become a silent witness to his journey.
The evening sky was putting on its finest performance. Heavy grey clouds that had hung low were now parted by the brushstrokes of a sun readying for its rest. Hues of orange, pink, and gold spilled across the canvas of the horizon, their brilliance reflected on the surface of a sea as calm as a giant mirror. The waves only whispered lazily, as if unwilling to disturb the solemnity of the moment.
Harun cast his line far out, the nylon thread cutting through the air with a soft hiss before vanishing into the water. He didn't much care if a fish would bite. For him, fishing was an alibi. An excuse to sit here for hours, letting his mind wander as freely as the gulls flying back to their nests.
Here, on his stone throne, he could let go of all his masks. He was no longer Harun, the strong head of the family. Nor was he Harun, the diligent worker whose shoulders were burdened by deadlines. Here, he was just Harun. A man trying to make peace with his memories.
Every time the sun began to set, casting its warm, golden light, Harun was reminded of Anisa’s smile, his late wife. "Look, my love. It's as if heaven is overflowing, isn't it? Its light is spilling down into our world," Anisa had whispered one evening in this very same spot, years ago.
Now, Harun watched that light alone. The salty sea breeze caressed his face, feeling like the gentle touch of Anisa’s hand that had always managed to soothe him. He closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in deeply the scent of the sea mingled with the fragrance of memory.
Suddenly, the tip of his rod bent slightly. A faint vibration traveled down to his hand. A tug. Harun’s eyes snapped open, his fisherman's instinct immediately taking over. He tightened his grip, preparing for a small fight. But then, the pulling stopped and was gone. Perhaps it was just a small fish, toying with his bait.
A faint smile touched Harun’s lips. He wasn’t disappointed. In fact, he found it amusing. Maybe the sea was joking with him, reminding him not to get too lost in his daydreams. He looked back to the horizon, where the solar disc now showed only a sliver of red before being completely swallowed by the ocean.
Darkness began to creep in, and one by one, the stars started to appear. Harun hadn't caught a single fish today. Yet, his heart felt full. He had found what he was looking for: a pause, a quiet conversation with the past, and a tranquility that only the sea and the sunset could provide. As he reeled in his line, he made a silent promise, "I will be back tomorrow, Anisa. Same time, same place."