In the morning, when I turned on the TV, I came across a reporter asking a man about his life.
And a middle-aged man replied, "Yes. This book changed my life. He pointed to his surroundings, "I realized that's not the kind of life I wanted. My marriage, my job, my days, my life, it was all a lie. That's not the kind of life I've ever wanted. And why didn't I notice it before? Am I so used to being miserable? But after reading this beautiful book, I realized that dreaming and achieving my goals and my happiness is never too late. Thank you, Professor Skemoone for opening my eyes."
This man's face was just shining with happiness.
And this glow was dramatically replaced by the inscription on the TV screen which read, "Chain Reaction, a book that became a world bestseller in just a few days, is already bursting into our lives and reminding us to dream and go to our intended goals."
And I was once again surprised at the speed at which my book began to travel the world.
Leon had gone somewhere in the early morning, and I, feeding the cat, wearing a leather jacket and checkered black pants, pulled a leather cap over my head and left the house.
Today, the weather was warm and I wanted to follow my heart too.
And I headed toward the park.
Passing by the happy people who were going somewhere, I put on sunglasses and went out onto the main street.
No one recognized me, even though I was in the middle of the crowd.
It was a pleasure to finally see happy faces, not gloomy and spiteful.
Without noticing it, as if on the wings of happiness, I was already in the park.
The short winter was coming to an end and everything around was filled with the delicate colors of spring which immediately turned into summer.
The alley filled with people, who, for the first time, seemed alive.
And even the trees started to bloom earlier.
I walked slowly. In front of me was a long alley that led to an open area where everyone could do whatever they wanted.
Someone was playing with a dog, someone just sat on a bench and read, someone sat and thought, well, someone just talked to someone.
I liked that scenery.
I liked the trees that re-grown the leaves on their cold branches.
And soon the cloudy weather became pleasantly sunny.
My hands were in the pocket of my jacket, and my thoughts were at rest.
As a writer, to see that his book helps people, makes them happier, it is a very pleasant feeling that does not compare with anything.
I walked and smiled until I came across an elderly man who was selling ice cream at a small kiosk.
He was wearing a pink cap, and most importantly, the happiest smile.
I sat down on the bench opposite him and it seemed to me that he noticed me.
As a crowd of people walked away from the ice cream kiosk, an elderly man with a white beard came up to me and asked, "Can I sit down?"
He had small, blue eyes and white eyebrows that were raised up as if he was always surprised by something.
I smiled at him and he sat down beside me.
He smelled like strawberry ice cream.
For a while we sat in silence. But we were comfortable sharing the silence which was broken by a happy children's laughter.
"I'm sorry to say this, but I recognized you. You're Professor Skyemoone," he whispered as if he'd said some secret.
I took off my sunglasses and nodded my head.
"Sorry of course, but I couldn't sit silently," he said, and laughed softly.
His voice was slightly hoarse, but very pleasant.
"Finally, I met you. I look at you and I can see right away that you know the meaning of everything," he said and moved towards me.
His white hair which gathered in rare curls danced in the warm wind.
"If I knew the meaning of everything, I would be the emptiest man on the entire planet," I replied.
"But still, I see that you know what no one knows. If it wasn't true, you wouldn't have written such a beautiful book."
"I think I wrote this book just because I didn't know the meaning of life."
I looked at him again because suddenly, I felt as if I had seen him somewhere before.
Those blue eyes were too familiar.
And I said, "Have we ever seen each other before?"
"Finally, you asked," he said and smiled. "I worked in the library."
"In the library? So that's where I saw you!" I exclaimed and remembered this nice man who worked in the university library. I didn't really talk to him, but I still remembered how often we exchanged smiles.
"I remembered you! You've been a librarian for several years. And why didn't we talk?"
"Probably because you've always been busy."
There was thunder somewhere.
"I read your new book," he began. "And you know what," stopping, he asked, "Sorry. I'm probably taking your time?"
"No. Today I am free."
He sighed and directed his gaze straight forward. On a row of tall trees.
"After reading your book, I realized that I betrayed myself, my dreams, my ambitions. I did so, because I didn't want to be afraid, to feel fear of the unknown. By forgetting my dreams and goals. In order not to be responsible for my actions, I began to live like everyone else. I threw out my dreams and ambitions, and began to live an empty life. As a child, I often asked myself who I would be when I became an adult. And believe me, I was such an ambitious person. But then I was just scared. So, what's the bottom line? False life, false marriage, false thoughts. It's only now that I've figured it out. Why didn't I get it before?"
For a moment he was silent.
But then he laughed loudly and said, "A lot of people think life is hell, but in reality, life becomes hell when you stop dreaming."
I liked his thought. I even wanted to write those words down.
"Professor, thank you for letting me know. It's probably too late at my age to change anything, but I've learned that I should never miss a chance. You can never put your dream behind. And if you do, you'll end up living an empty life. And I advise you to do that, too. Professor, if you want something, if you love someone, or you want to leave this place, don't expect anything. Go ahead. This is your life."
I listened to him and delved into his every word.
"Well, it's time for me to sell ice cream," he said, and slowly got up from the bench.
"And now, are you living your life?" I asked looking at the ice cream kiosk.
He thought, but then answered with a smile, "Yes. Now I'm happy. Professor, let me buy you ice cream. What flavor do you want?"
"Strawberry flavor," I replied, and after he generously gave me pink ice cream, we said goodbye.
When I left, I was hoping that the day would come when I would talk to him again.
Checking my mail, I noticed that many people started writing to me. Strangers wrote to me about their lives and how my book changed them completely.
In one of the letters, a woman wrote to me that she had always dreamed of doing good and helping people. And that now, she has finally realized herself, she can be kind.
So, to be kind, you need a reason? Need an opportunity?
I was interested in reading everyone's letters.
And with each letter, I was more and more surprised.
But at the same time, I was glad that happiness in this world is getting bigger.
While I was busy writing and reading, Leon was sitting in his room working on a new book.
He had not left the room for the whole day.
Papers with his handwriting were scattered everywhere. But I liked the atmosphere he created.
I liked to walk past his room and watch him sit at the table and write, and how his shaggy hair trembled from every word he applied on paper.
While I was sitting in the living room listening to him walk around the room, someone knocked on the door.
I quickly opened the door and there was Luca standing in front of me, all in the same leather black cloak.
"Hello. I hope I'm not intruding," he said looking behind my back.
"No."
Without waiting for me to invite him, he just walked into the house and looked around.
"I see my brother started writing a new book. When he works, there is such a tense atmosphere everywhere."
"Take a seat," I said, and listened to Leon's steps.
Luca shook his head and said, "Perhaps I'll sit down with a cup of tea next time. And now I have some business to be done."
"What business?"
"I couldn't apologize to you that time. For what happened. And probably all those people scared you. But I just wanted to show you how your book changed everybody. I didn't mean anything wrong," he said and made a sad expression.
But the truth is, his facial features could never show real sadness.
"Nothing. I already forgot it. And also how you gave me a sleeping pill."
"That's good. Moon, I can call you that, can I? Especially since you're a good friend of my brother, I'm your brother too," he said and came closer. "Well, I'm here because someone wants to meet you."
"Who?"
"Surprise. But you'll be pleasantly surprised," he said, and before Leon had time to ask who came, he was already standing in the street in front of his car.