At The Bar [English]

On Valentines Day, a 42-year-old man walks into a dive bar after a rough day, craving nothing more than a drink and solitude. The flickering neon lights, the scent of old wood and liquor, and the subtle chaos of human behavior all set the tone for a somber evening. Despite the bartenders cheerful greeting, the protagonist feels disconnected and out of placesurrounded by couples in various stages of affection, from arguing to public displays of lust.

He observes the bar scene with a mixture of cynicism and quiet introspection, feeling like an outsider due to his non-country, nerdy personality, and his visible aloneness. Despite wanting to leave, something keeps him rooted to the stoolperhaps a glimmer of misplaced hope, or the inertia of heartache.

Amid the chaos, he overhears a younger man breaking down over a failing relationship, which triggers memories of his own recent breakup. He reflects on his ex-girlfrienda relationship that started strangely, endured in dysfunction, and ended abruptly with a text. Their connection was more transactional than romantic, but there were still moments of genuine connection, especially with her daughter, whom he bonded with deeply.