The phrase "for a while" is inherently vague, signifying a duration that can vary greatly in meaning depending on the person experiencing it. This uncertainty can weigh heavily on individuals who find themselves waiting and wondering about the length of time they must endure before their desires are fulfilled or situations change. In this context, it highlights the emotional struggle of anticipation and longing.

Haruki Murakami's quote from "South of the Border, West of the Sun" emphasizes that time feels elastic and subjective when one is in a state of waiting. While the clock may tick steadily, the anxious heart perceives the wait as indeterminate, filled with a unique tension that only the person in that moment can truly understand. This captures the essence of human experience—how our perceptions shape our understanding of time.