Fleeting pleasures

It began as an ordinary day, nothing extraordinary—yet, it held a quiet beauty. I woke up at 7:00 AM, no alarms blaring, just the soft hum of morning silence. I let my eyelids close again, indulging in the luxury of oversleeping. Twenty more minutes passed, and when I stirred awake, a gentle happiness embraced me—the kind that comes from small freedoms.

I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and wandered into the kitchen. There, waiting in the fridge, were eggs. My parmesan cheese and a ripe tomato stood ready to transform into breakfast. As I prepared the meal, a delightful aroma filled the air, wrapping the kitchen in warmth. It was such a simple act, yet it made me smile.

With breakfast complete, I brewed a cup of Americano. Each sip was soothing, rich, and familiar. I loved every moment of it. I brushed my teeth once more, checked my watch—it was 8:30 AM. Time was still on my side. I smiled, content with this unhurried pace.

The outfit I had imagined the night before came together effortlessly. As I stood before the mirror, I caught myself admiring the reflection. A touch of confidence warmed me. I felt happy.

When I stepped out, a taxi seemed to be waiting just for me. The driver greeted me with a friendly smile, his cheerful demeanor setting the tone for the ride. We reached the destination; I paid, and he thanked me. A simple exchange, yet it brightened my mood.

The day unfolded smoothly. Every task, every errand—completed without a hitch. By 7:00 PM, I found myself longing for a moment of calm. My favorite tea house beckoned, its usual crowd mercifully sparse. I ordered my tea and sipped it slowly, savoring the view of the sun dipping below the horizon. The scene was mesmerizing, a moment to treasure.

Back home, I prepared dinner and enjoyed it in quiet satisfaction. The clock read 9:30 PM—not too early, but not too late either. I took a refreshing shower, indulged in my night care routine, and let the soothing scents surround me.

The evening was perfect. I lit scented candles and sank into my chair with a book in Arabic. Mozart’s 40th symphony played softly in the background as I devoured over 100 pages in a single, uninterrupted session. The words transported me to another world, so absorbing that I lost track of time. When I finally closed the book, I hugged it close, letting the flood of flashbacks from its pages wash over me. I was utterly, blissfully happy.

Life, I realized, is stitched together with moments like these—small, fleeting pleasures that quietly shape our days. And in these moments lies its true beauty