Chapter 1
Neon lights flickered above the doorway, filled with the low hum of chatter in a quaint bar tucked in the corner of town. Sumina drifted into the bar, a cozy haven, with the clinking of glasses and the aroma of spirits intermingling in the air. A scattering of mismatched tables and chairs adorned the polished hardwood floor, inviting patrons to settle in for a drink. Overhead, a collection of vintage lamps cast a warm, golden light, illuminating the cozy nooks and crannies where friends gathered to share tales and laughter.
The bar buzzed with energy, allowing patrons to forget the worries of the outside world and simply bask in the warmth of good company. Whether seeking solace from the chill of winter or respite from the heat of summer, it welcomed all who sought its embrace, a beacon of warmth and hospitality in a world that often felt cold and distant.
Behind the bar, shelves lined with an eclectic array of spirits and liqueurs stood sentinel, their labels worn with age and memories. A crackling fireplace nestled in one corner, its flickering flames dancing hypnotically, casting shadows that danced across the walls like silent storytellers.
A shorter woman with curly black hair sat in the corner of the bar, sipping on a glass of amber liquid. Her green eyes were ringed with gray, devoid of any emotion as she stared blankly at the table. Sumina noticed her presence as she approached the bartender.
“The usual?” the bartender quipped at Sumina, smiling brightly as she grabbed a glass from the wall and clinked the glass full to the top with ice.
“You know me so well, Merlara,” Sumina returned the smile, savoring the bartender’s radiant beauty.
Whether the other patrons would admit it or not, Merlara’s presence kept most of the regulars coming back. Dressed in a simple black blouse and leather pants, Merlara epitomized joy, her attire allowing her personality to shine through. Her sleeves were rolled up, revealing toned arms adorned with an array of colorful tattoos, each one a testament to her journey and experiences. Her hands deftly crafted cocktails with a flair that hinted at years of practice and passion. She greeted each patron with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye, effortlessly striking up conversations and making newcomers feel right at home.
Merlara set a cherry soda-crafted cocktail on the bar. “Here you are, my dear,” she said, absentmindedly picking up a glass to her right and wiping it dry with a towel that seemed to magically appear in her hand.
“I don’t recognize the girl in the corner,” Sumina motioned to the corner, trying not to make her interest obvious. Merlara glanced casually to where the woman sat, her glass now as empty as her eyes.
“She came in about two hours ago. Ordered a glass of whiskey, then a refill. Hasn’t said a word to a soul since getting here,” Merlara stared at her with a cool gaze. “Not uncommon to get people in here having a rough day, looking to drink their worries or sorrows away.”
“Nobody has come in to join her?” Sumina followed Merlara’s gaze. If the woman could feel them staring, she didn’t care enough to look up or acknowledge them.
“Not a soul. She’s not a regular. If she’s waiting on someone, she’s been waiting a while. Do you know her?”
“No, but I noticed her as I came in. I haven’t seen anyone look like that in a long time,” Sumina gazed softly at the woman. Memories flashed in between the stars in her eyes. “Or felt like that,” Sumina whispered under her breath. She turned to the bartender, straightening herself, and asked for two more drinks. She carried them over to the table where the woman sat, her arms now underneath the table. She looked like a doll, limp and devoid of any emotion. She glanced up as the drinks clinked on the table, Sumina asking, “Would you like company tonight?”
The woman gazed at her for a moment before eyeing the bubbling drink on the table. “Goodnight Kiss?” she curiously asked, nodding towards the drink. Sumina’s lips twitched into a smile as she nodded her head and pushed the drink towards the woman. “Thank you.” Sumina took the acceptance of the drink as a yes and sat across from her.
“You’re not a regular. What brought you to our little hole in the wall?”
“A long day and soon, a very long night.” The woman’s eyes were slightly puffy, Sumina noted, as if she had been crying.
“Well, there’s a bar full of boisterous, loud, fun people to drown your sorrows in as much as the drinks,” Sumina offered to her. “I find positive vibes to be a bit contagious in places like this.” The woman only stared at her blankly, tilting her head in curiosity at Sumina’s chipper nature.
“I don’t think I want to be positive tonight,” the woman softly responded, sorrow lacing her voice.
“That’s alright. I can understand that feeling.”
“Can you?” The woman met Sumina’s gaze, her voice cracking.
“We all have stormy days. The days that follow it always shine the brightest. But letting those storms pass is an important part of finding ourselves. Whatever you are going through now is a part of your journey.”
Time seemed to slow to a leisurely pace as the air buzzed between them. In the dimly lit room, silence hung heavy like a suffocating blanket, thick with unspoken words. A solitary lamp cast long shadows across the worn wooden table, illuminating the subtle creases of worry etched upon the woman’s face. The air between them was thick with the weight of unspoken emotions.
Their eyes met fleetingly, but the understanding was there as if both were afraid to delve too deeply into the depths of each other’s souls. Instead, they busied themselves with swirling their drinks, the ice the only sound to break the oppressive stillness. It was a silent plea for understanding, a desperate longing that hung heavy in the air like a lingering scent.
“I can’t imagine waking up tomorrow and doing a damn thing,” the woman rasped.
“I get it. Sometimes it feels like we’re all just going through the motions. But hey, you’re not alone. And you are alive,” Sumina extended a warm smile and raised her glass. The girl met her gaze and clinked hers.
