Willy and the mysterious woman

 

Willy was peculiar. He was a man who always seemed sad, ashamed, and deeply pessimistic.

Every evening, he used to dine at a highly popular restaurant in the center of the city. Between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, the place was so packed that getting a table was nearly impossible. Those who arrived alone were usually forced to sit wherever they could find an open chair. Laughter, loud voices, live music, and the constant rattling of plates and cutlery filled the crowded air. Some diners, like Willy, came early and stayed late; apparently, they deeply enjoyed the music and the vibrant hustle and bustle.

Willy always sat alone at a table for two right near the front door. However, his melancholic expression and downcast eyes rarely invited anyone to sit with him.

But one day, a stranger walked in, caught Willy's eye, and smiled warmly. Willy, despite his usual dark mood, found himself smiling back. The man sat down across from him, and for the first time in years, Willy was able to exchange some pleasant banalities. He lived entirely alone and rarely had the chance to talk to anyone. This brief, simple human experience was a sudden spark in his gray life.

From that night on, Willy began to make an effort. He started to smile at everyone who walked through the front door, and without fail, someone would always accept the invitation and sit with him. It became a nightly ritual, and Willy flourished.

His entire life changed. He became jovial, outgoing, and cheerful; all those heavy clouds of sadness, nostalgia, and depression completely dissipated. Through this simple routine, he met many remarkable—and some not-so-remarkable—people from all walks of life. He even met three lovely women with whom he shared wonderful conversations, though unfortunately, they were all just passing through the city.

Then came the disruption.

One evening, a burly man entered the restaurant. He had a dull, penetrating stare and inspected the crowded room with evident disgust. Suddenly, his eyes locked onto Willy. He looked as though he had finally found exactly what he was searching for.

The man strode resolutely toward the table. He stopped right in front of Willy, loomed over him, and snapped, "She told me that you always came here for dinner. Well, she won't be coming today."

Willy looked up at him in utter surprise, but before he could even open his mouth to speak, the man pressed on, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "I know exactly what you have in mind here, mister, and it stops right now!"

Summoning a wave of newfound courage, Willy stood his ground. "Impossible!" he replied proudly. "My life has changed. Now I am happy, full of hope!"

The burly man, now absolutely furious, bared his teeth. "Yes, damn you, but she is my wife!"

With a powerful, sweeping punch, the man struck Willy squarely in the face, knocking him flat onto his back.

The restaurant went silent. A panicked waiter rushed over, kneeling beside the fallen man. "Sir! Sir, are you all right?"

Willy lay on the floor. With his vision blurring and a heavy stream of blood flowing from his nose, he looked up at the ceiling and smiled dreamily. "Yes... I am very well, thank you. I am dreaming that a beautiful, strange woman is comforting me, caressing my face."



 

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