In one of the city’s busiest corners — where people hurried between the bakery, the pharmacy, and the bus stop — an old man sat on the edge of the sidewalk. Uncle Sanyi, as the locals called him, had been sitting in that same spot every morning for several months. The worn blanket draped over his shoulders was as much a part of the scene as the nearby bus stop or the trees lining the road.
His face was etched with deep wrinkles, and his hair, though gray, remained thick. He carefully combed it back each day, as if trying to preserve a sense of dignity.
“Good morning, Uncle Sanyi!” — passersby would sometimes greet him, especially the older ones. They remembered that he used to work as a custodian at the nearby school and always had kind words for the students.
But Uncle Sanyi wouldn’t reply. He would simply nod and return to his thoughts.
One Wednesday, as the sun barely pierced through the clouds and the city’s dust was bathed in golden light, a young woman appeared in front of him. She looked to be about thirty, her long hair caught by the wind, and she wore a brown leather jacket — entirely unfit for spring weather. Uncle Sanyi would later learn her name was Eszter.
“Good morning, Uncle,” she said in a firm but friendly voice.
“Good morning, dear,” Uncle Sanyi replied cautiously, glancing up at the stranger.
“May I invite you to lunch?”
“Lunch?” he asked, puzzled.
“Yes. I know a nice place just around the corner. They serve good food — and don’t ask too many questions.”
Uncle Sanyi looked at the woman. His gaze wasn’t mocking or pitiful. Just… curious. And that was beautiful.
“I don’t have any money, if that’s what this costs,” he mumbled.
“I didn’t ask,” Eszter shrugged. “In return, I just ask for some company. My boss says I eat alone too often.”
That made the old man smile.
“Well, if that’s all it takes, then all right,” he said, slowly getting up.
The little restaurant they walked into radiated warmth. Checkered tablecloths, the smell of home-cooked food, and the cheerful greeting of the waitress created an atmosphere Uncle Sanyi had long buried inside himself.
