Happiness Without an Appointment

October 26 — International Day of Pleasant Surprises.

An unusual Monday.
This day had one rule: trade boredom for a pleasant surprise.

A stripe of sunlight already lay on the windowsill.
Khazri was ruffling passersby's hair.
Baku was just being Baku.

The keys, as always, were nowhere to be found.
I searched the whole apartment—even looked in the fridge. No keys. But yesterday's dolma turned up.

A message from my daughter Sholi was waiting on my phone:
“Dad, you’re the best. The keys are right where they always are.”

The keys had been in my own fist the whole time.
I burst out laughing.
On a day like this, you can smile for no reason at all.

In the courtyard, Omar—my childhood friend Ilgar’s grandson—was blowing soap bubbles.
— Uncle, want one?
— I’m too old for that.
— So what?

I took the wand and blew.
The bubble rose, trembled, and drifted toward the Caspian.

I pulled out my phone.
— Hello?
— Qızım…
— Dad? Still no keys?
— I found them. And something else, too.
— I’m in the courtyard. Blowing bubbles. The neighbour’s kid taught me.
— No way?
— Seriously.

A pause.
— Dad… everything will be alright. Just don’t forget how to be happy.
— Okay, my girl.

A drop of soapy water stayed on my palm.
Not forever. Not a cure for everything. Just for today.
Tomorrow morning, I’ll think of something.

(c) Huseyn S. Gurbanov (Alın Ak / KaJe MeG)