How does a language not have a word, or even an expression, for something so recurrent, something so pervasive in the social life of a human being? Does it reflect the poverty of the language or the peculiarity of the culture? These thoughts vexed Adil, as his fingers went through his hair. Repeatedly. Making it dishevelled.  He wore an expression of contemplation. He was in deep thought, staring right into the clouds. And with his messy hair, he looked more like a Stoic philosopher than a freshman who had just started college.  “Hey, what’s up? You look lost!” remarked his friend, Ned, as it had been more than a few minutes since the question had been asked. The conversation had moved on. Digressed and evolved. Others were now debating the changing weather – each justifying his own forecast.

Before this reflective pause, Adil was in a lively exchange. They had decided to take a short lunch break and, soon after that, they were supposed to start hiking up again.

Adil was struggling to find an answer.

His friend, out of curiosity and a seemingly harmless desire for a sustained conversation, had simply asked – How do you say “cheers” in your language?

(Written during a creative writing meet-up. For the prompt “toast”.)