A story about iDip

رب أخ لك لم تلده أمك

Written by: Anno Domini

Edited and censored by: iDip


During the time when I had to take life into one grip and land myself a new era, I found myself in the midst of carving a new retreat, the place was Buenos Aires and the menu was a Japanese restaurant right in the centre of what they call here “microcentro”.
A very bizarre place, old and retro, full of life, yet dead walking people. It was like a place I had never even imagined before.

I found my solo and true new innocent self on the doorsteps of a restaurant that created more then just the eclectic of the Far East, but true and very simple people who later, in escalated speed, become friends.

I made my haven way to the same place at least 4 times a week. To enjoy the food that always reminded me of my best friend and getting to know new souls.

Winter, then summer passed and during visits I got to uncover more and more about the new land.

A waiter, Japanese and Argentinean, named Paolo became the main destination. A very humble and yet in constant puzzlement character became my friend, a word I so yearned for since I had to leave the place I call home which became the place I dream to visit.

On my very quintessential day at “Seis50”, that was the name of the restaurant, I found Paolo investigating more about himself in conversation. He delicately recapped his dreams in life and aspirations, how all he wanted in life is to make his family, girlfriend, brothers and sisters happy, but was in lose of how to go about it.
I merely touched on what I though at the time was the right and truthful thing to say by allowing him to think to himself what he 'wants' to do, instead of what 'should' he do, I never gave that conversation a second thought.

Months went by, and on a typical sushi evening Paolo comes over and says that he's moving to Tokyo, he had applied for a scholarship and got accepted. His family, girlfriend and siblings were over the moon with delight, I was happy yet sad that I was losing a friend, my one true escape when I needed to talk.
I kept my selfishness aside and celebrated his success.

On the eve of his departure, having attended a massive party he had conducted, I found my forgetful-self asking what made him decided to change his life?

On the way out of the gathering, I accosted him with farewells and best wishes, when he turned around and said “Anno Domini you don't know what goodness you have done for me, that conversation we had that night many months ago changed my life”.
It was the first time a perfect stranger, without bias, gave me the gift of life, “you opened my eyes and I acted on it, it's because of you I am now becoming a new person, I will never forget that!” said Paolo.

I was in shock, for a second, I had no idea to what he was talking about or who he's talking about?
I walked away with such puzzlement, in most deepest thought of what I might have done, I recalled the conversation, had a vague idea about what he was talking about, but still trying to pin point why all of this happened.
I finally sort out the answers that kept me awake all night, I had acted out of a good deed that someone had bestowed on me in the past, I was passing over the good that I had carried with me for some time, that goodness was one person I knew well, that being the goodness and warm heart of my dear brother......iDip.
I wonder if Paolo will ever meet his real saviour, a man I call “Matey”!

Keep rocking Matey!

-end-
====================

Anno Domini’s Birthday is tomorrow, the 8th of April, and instead of me sending him my best wishes and congratulations, he sent me the piece above.
I’m completely and utterly speechless, nonetheless, left with heartfelt gratitude.

If it wasn’t of him, I wouldn’t find my true self, an alter ego, a friend, a new brother and the way to create my nickname “iDip”.

muchas gracias mi hermano!