A young man, burdened by sorrow, occupies a seat near the expansive window of a quaint café, enveloped in the shadows of his black hoodie.

A bright waitress approaches, her cheerful demeanor contrasting sharply with the boy's somber energy.

“Hello! Welcome to our new Cozy Corner. What can I get for you?”

He raises his gaze but avoids eye contact, further pulling his hoodie down over his face.

“Latte.”

“Would you like normal milk with that?”

He gives a slight nod in affirmation. The waitress jots down his order.

“Thank you! I’ll bring that right over.”

As she turns to leave, she wrestles with her instinct to help while also trying to maintain her emotional distance from his evident struggle.

However, her concern overwhelms her, prompting her to return to his table.

“I hope you don’t mind me asking… Are you alright? Is there anything you need?”

“Hmm? No. I - uh, I'm fine…”

His voice trembles as he fights back tears.

“I’m sorry. I just ended things with my girlfriend. It happened just moments ago.”

Despite his efforts, tears escape, and he hastily wipes them on his sleeve.

The waitress observes him, her gaze filled with compassion.

“I’m really sorry to hear that. How long were you two together?”

“Eight years.”

The waitress is momentarily lost for words as he continues, striving to maintain his composure.

“I wanted to start a family. She was unsure. I mean, she wasn’t ready yet, I suppose. I had planned to propose today if…”

She gazes at the despondent young man, struggling to comprehend.

“I see. I’ll return shortly with your latte, alright?”

He nods, discreetly blowing his nose into a tissue while staring blankly outside.

Rain pours heavily outside, mirroring the boy’s inner turmoil.

The waitress reappears with his latte, taking a seat across from him.

“You know, there’s one question that has fundamentally changed the way I view life.”

Taken aback, he finally meets her gaze.

“What question?”

“Who are you?”

His brow furrows in confusion.

“What does that even matter right now?”

The waitress presses on.

“Who are you?”

“Are you genuinely expecting a response?”

She nods earnestly, her eyes locking onto his.

“I’m Noah.”

The waitress chuckles lightly, seemingly anticipating this reply.

“Who are you aside from being Noah?”

“I don’t have time for this.”

Her brows knit together, her tone sharper than intended.

“What could be more important than sitting here in sorrow?”

In a fit of frustration, the boy stands, but she gently raises her hand to halt him.

“Please, I promise there's a purpose to this. Trust me.”

They both sit again.

“Who are you beyond the name Noah?”

He pauses, contemplating.

“I’m a software engineer.”

“Okay, who are you beyond that title?”

Frustration etches across his face.

“Is this some kind of game?”

“I’m on a break, and I took this time to assist you. Let’s get to the point. Who are you?”

He takes a moment before responding.

“I’m a son. A brother. I used to be a boyfriend, but now I’m an ex. I’ll soon be a student again, pursuing my master’s degree.”

She presses further.

“And who are you beyond those labels?”

“I’m a kind, loyal, loving person. I’m intelligent. I care for animals.”

Her gaze remains fixed on him, unwavering.

“Beyond being kind, loyal, loving, and intelligent… WHO ARE YOU?”

He responds more swiftly this time.

“I’m a human. I exist as a human being, is that enough?”

“What about beyond being human?”

He scratches his head, struggling to keep his annoyance at bay.

“This is really getting tedious. I have better things to do, believe it or not.”

“To truly understand yourself, you must first uncover who you are at your core. Let’s try an exercise.”

He shifts uncomfortably, while she closes her eyes.

“Join me in taking deep breaths. Come on, do it.”

They both inhale deeply together. He cracks open an eye.

“Are we seriously meditating?”

“Shh, just focus.”

Reluctantly, he closes his eyes as she leads the meditation.

“Become aware of your body. Really tune in. Start from your feet, moving up through your legs, hips, belly, back, chest… arms, neck, and head. Notice where you feel tension and where you’re relaxed.”

A pause ensues, and she resumes her guidance.

“Now, reflect on your emotions. Are you feeling sad? Angry? Uncomfortable? Anxious?”

He can’t help but interject.

“I feel all of those.”

“Just acknowledge them and pinpoint where you feel tension in your body when you’re sad.”

He furrows his brow, recognizing the tightness in his stomach.

“Where do you feel discomfort when anxiety arises?”

His chest tightens as she reminds him of a crucial aspect of the exercise.

“Don’t forget to breathe.”

He inhales deeply and exhales. After a moment, she opens her eyes.

“What’s on your mind? What thoughts surface as you sit here with your eyes closed? Are you present, or are you dwelling on the past? What’s your focus?”

She glances at him.

“Are you here in the Cozy Corner, or are you back home, lost in thought? Is your mind replaying past events?”

The boy shifts in his seat. She lifts her chin, ready for the next step.

“Open your eyes now.”

As he opens his eyes, she gazes into him deeply.

“Welcome back. Now, who are you?”

For the first time, he feels a clear sense of his body, mind, and presence.

“I am… a being capable of feeling, experiencing, understanding… analyzing and labeling.”

“Can we say that you’re a consciousness navigating this human experience?”

The boy looks at her, the weight of her words striking him.

“I suppose we could say that.”

“Do you believe a person is defined by their emotions or thoughts?”

“No, I believe we are more than that.”

She beams with pride but notices her manager's disapproving glances. Time is running out.

“I wanted to discuss this as you mentioned your breakup due to your girlfriend's uncertainty about having children, correct?”

He meets her gaze, curious about her direction.

“Yes.”

“You wish to be a father, I take it?”

“Yes.”

The waitress locks eyes with him to ensure he’s engaged.

“Is it the title of ‘father’ that draws you in?”

“I — I’m not sure. It just feels like the right time.”

She raises her eyebrows.

“The right time to become a father?”

The boy sits up, eager to clarify.

“I’m 28 now. I need to start a family. Time is running out.”

“According to whom?”

He jumps in quickly.

“Biology. My family’s expectations. Time itself. Just about everything.”

“So, societal pressures are driving your desire to have children, and you feel like you’re falling behind?”

“I do want children. Having my own family is my dream.”

The waitress gazes intently at him.

“Did you love this girl? You were together for eight years, right?”

“Eight. And yes, I loved her deeply. I still do! The thought of being without her is unbearable.”

“Can we say she has become your family?”

He appears perplexed but takes a moment to reflect.

“She was my family. She was meant to be my family. I even picked out a ring!”

“But she wasn’t sure about having children. And with societal, familial, and various expectations embedded in your mind, you feel compelled to have kids regardless. Now you’re considering finding someone else to start a family with, sacrificing your chance to wake up next to the one you truly love.”

He stares blankly at her before responding.

“Well, yes… I understand. But I’m still puzzled. What did this meditation and questioning have to do with any of this?”

“It was to enlighten you about your reality. You don’t ‘have to’ conform to norms or fulfill others’ expectations. You are a consciousness experiencing life, and your existence is as extraordinary as anyone else’s. You have aspirations—your master's degree, congratulations, by the way. But you need to see yourself more clearly.”

The boy looks at her as if she holds all the answers.

“How can I do that? I do want kids someday, but I’m unsure if I can dismiss the idea entirely.”

“But you’re willing to discard eight years of love? Look, I’m saying that unless your ultimate aspiration is to become a father, you shouldn’t sacrifice the love of your life, who is essentially your family.”

He surveys his surroundings, questioning everything he once believed.

“Wow, I’m not sure if fatherhood is the ultimate goal.”

“Family. That’s what you said you want, right? Who defines family as needing children? Many families thrive without kids. I’m merely encouraging you to explore other options. Only you can determine your true desires, and that requires more reflection like we just did.”

The waitress rises, collecting his empty cup, but he stops her.

“So, I ended things with the one person I care about because I prioritized others’ opinions over my own happiness and fulfillment?”

She stands, cup in hand.

“Today marks a new beginning filled with fresh choices. The question is, are you energized enough, or would you like another latte?”

He gazes past her and then out the window, feeling a renewed sense of self and hope.

_This brief fictional narrative draws inspiration from self-development principles._

Did this resonate with your journey of self-discovery? Consider supporting my work, but regardless, I hope you continue prioritizing your mental well-being and pursue what you love.

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