Morning always brings a different atmosphere, especially when the aroma of cooking begins to waft through the air. Today, I stopped in front of a small food stall on the side of a village road. On a simple table, various fried foods were neatly arranged in plastic containers: tempeh, tofu, and small pieces skewered with bamboo.
The golden color of the fried foods was so tempting, it seemed to beckon anyone passing by to try them.
I sat on a wooden chair that was starting to become brittle with age. As I waited for the hot fried food, my eyes took in every detail around me.
There were old wooden blocks in front of the door, and the weathered steps of the stairs, but everything gave off a warm and homely feel. The stall owner smiled kindly, his hands deftly flipping the fried food in a pan filled with hot oil.
The "cesss" sound each time the tempeh mixture was added to the oil was soothing a distinctive sound that always reminded me of the village.
Several small children ran around, carrying small change in their hands. They eagerly ordered their fried foods, choosing stuffed tofu and tempeh fresh from the frying pan.
There were also women coming with shopping bags, stopping briefly to buy side dishes before heading home. Meanwhile, I enjoyed a skewer of warm tempeh with a sweet and spicy soy sauce and chili sauce.
Simple, yet special. In every bite of the fried food, there was a sense of togetherness and nostalgia that couldn't be replaced. It was as if time had stopped for a moment here, amidst the laughter, the aroma of fried food, and the stories of life that continue to slowly pass in this village.
Sometimes we forget that happiness doesn't always come from big things. It often comes in small forms like a plate of warm fried tempeh and tofu that fills the morning with gratitude and peace.
| Photographer | Smartphone used | Location |
|---|---|---|
 | Realme C53 | Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam |
