Coffee
1
In a small, quiet town, lives a decent orphan girl. Her days are often mundane filled with the rhythms of routine work and the faces of regular customers. Her name is Mira. She lives in the Rusty Town a place where people are unconcerned to give a single glance. A town situated just below “The Silent hill” with not more than 150 people as its resident. In her childhood she was left by her parents at the doorsteps of the old tailoring woman called Jessica. From then she was brought up by Jessica and now she is well grown up to work at the “One and Only Café” near her house, just a show-off of the owner. Mira is a simple yet beautiful girl having a natural, effortless charm. She have soft, expressive eyes that reveal kindness and curiosity, and her face often shows a gentle, warm smile that feels genuine and inviting. There is an honesty and sincerity in her manner, and a natural grace that’s unpretentious yet captivating and hence everyone likes her very much and blesses her for her future. Waking up, serving tea to Jessica , bathing and going to the café , working the whole day and returning at 4.00p.m. , watching T.V. and preparing dinner and then finally ending her days around 11, this was her daily routine.
One day while she was working in the café as her normal days, a young commercial traveler walks into the shop, carrying a worn leather suitcase and looking ready for his next destination. His hair, glossy and well-kept, catches the light a rich, flowing mane that seems almost out of place amidst the gritty world of travel. Despite long journeys and hectic schedules, his hair remains a striking feature, hinting at the care he takes in maintaining his appearance even on the road. He walked straight towards the counter, towards Mira and offers a black coffee. He sat on the chair near the Counter and kept his worn leather suitcase at the counter. Stir it fast and make it fast! The man said with his sweet melancholic yet appealing voice. She gave him the coffee and John looked with his bluish eyes fixed at her. Thanks! John said abruptly while supping his coffee with great pleasure. My name is John Richy, said John breaking the preoccupation of Mira’s mind. My name is Mira, she said with a decent smile. The coffee is wonderful! How long have u been working here Mira?. Her lips curled into a shy, radiant smile as the words of appreciation sank in. Thanks. But if u talk about me, first I would like to know your identity as I have never seen you in the area before. John gave a faint smile and started “Well about me, I am a commercial traveler for about 2yrs. I am Orphan so from my childhood I have made all by myself. You can say that I enjoy the independence and variety that comes with this job, each day presenting a fresh opportunity. However, this constant travel also brings a sense of fatigue and longing. I often miss the comforts of home, the stability of a daily routine. At times, I feel isolated in unfamiliar cities, despite the busy schedules and bustling hotels. There’s a bittersweet nature to my journeys grateful for the opportunities, yet yearning for a life with fewer miles between me and home.” “Go on” said Mira. He continues speaking about travelling, his tone is a mix of excitement and quiet wisdom, shaped by long journeys and countless encounters. He describes the thrill of discovering new towns and the freedom of the open road, but there’s a note of longing, too a sense that each place he visits leaves a mark on him yet never feels quite like home. Her eyes lightened up with genuine curiosity and admiration as she listens intently. Her expression is a blend of intrigue and thoughtfulness, her head slightly tilted to show she’s fully engaged. I said it now its your turn madam, John said. Mira took a long pause and then started “Life has taught me that nothing comes easy,” she says softly, “but that’s not all bad. Every challenge has made me stronger, even when I thought I couldn’t go on.” She pauses, choosing her words carefully, with a maturity well beyond her years. “I’ve learned to be grateful for the little things a kind word, a warm meal, a quiet evening with my Jessica. Those moments remind me that there’s beauty in simplicity, and sometimes that’s all we really need.” She goes on, “I don’t have a family, but I’ve come to realize that family isn’t only about blood. It’s about the connections we build along the way, people who make us feel seen, even if it’s just for a moment.” Her eyes soften, as if remembering fleeting acts of kindness. “Life isn’t perfect, but it’s my journey, and I want to make the most of it. If there’s one thing I believe, it’s that each day is a chance to grow, to find purpose, and to create my own happiness, even if the road is lonely. Mira finished it and looked outside the window towards the open sky. John’s eyes were wide, glimmering with curiosity and awe, and there’s an almost reverent stillness about him, as if he’s absorbing every word. I am staying here for 3 more days, we can talk about it later if you hand over your precious time to me. John said it like a flash and stared at Mira with utmost admiration. John kept the money under the empty glass of coffee. A quite tip of $5. John walked out of the shop and vanishing between the fogs.
The very next day John came into the shop by afternoon and invited Mira for a quick evening stroll. Under the glow of a warm sunset they started to talk, there’s a gentle rhythm to their conversation, laughter punctuating their words, each sharing small stories and bits about themselves. And the very next day while Mira was strolling in the park he saw John standing and reading the sign boards which marked the statues origin and details. Mira saw him and waved at him, John left the sign board and then the two had a good evening. And then the next day at the riverside they met abruptly and then the next day at the café again. It’s only been a few days since they first met, but somehow, they keep finding themselves in the same places at the same times. At first, it felt like pure coincidence bumping into each other at the coffee shop, at the library, and even along the quiet park path in the evenings. But now, it’s beginning to feel like a habit, almost like an unspoken promise to see each other again. She arrives a little earlier than usual, pretending she just happened to be there, adjusting her bag and pretending to check her phone while glancing up. He comes around the corner with that familiar half-smile, his steps slowing just a bit when he sees her, as if he hadn’t planned it but isn’t surprised either. Their conversations pick up right where they left off, flowing naturally, as if this has been part of their routine forever. They laugh at inside jokes that already feel like old favorite's and share details of their day without overthinking it. Each time, they part with a casual see you around. It’s been 6days almost a week, but u hasn’t left yet. Mira asked the question abruptly while she and John were sitting quietly at the library desk. Ah, yes actually my next client will arrive tomorrow only and I will be going by then. John said this stoically and looked through the open windows towards the clear sky. Mira said. “Oh! You should rest today I think and also I need to be ready for tomorrows going.” They went back home. Tomorrow looms over her like a shadow, and the closer it gets, the more she feels her heart ache. The next day while Mira was busy washing the dishes at the inner cabin of the café, a staff called her and said that someone has come in the shop and wanted to meet her. She walks out the cabin and to her surprise she saw John standing, a bit nervous. She noticed a wonderful pink colored bracelet in the hands of John. John came closer to her Hey… so, before I go, I wanted to give you something. Oh, really? What’s this? Mira said surprisingly. It’s just a bracelet. Nothing fancy, but… I thought you might like it John said while giving the bracelet to Mira. It’s beautiful. I don’t know what to say… Mira said it bashfully while looking at it carefully. You don’t have to say anything. Just keep it with you, and… maybe think of me once in a while? john said. (puts on the bracelet, touched) I will. You’re making this goodbye even harder, you know? Mira said with a small smile. Yeah, it’s tough for me too. But this isn’t really goodbye. Just think of it as… ‘see you later.’ Promise me you’ll stay in touch? Mira said it with a small yet sad smile. “Promise”. And when I’m back, maybe we can make up for lost time. John took his worn leather briefcase and walked towards the exit, he once looked back for the last time and uttered beneath his mouth. Mira saw him getting mixed with the fogs as he did at their first meeting.
Behind the counter of the cozy café, Mira is refilling the coffee beans and adjusting the pastry display, but her movements are slower than usual, her mind elsewhere. She glances down at the empty counter spot where her favorite customer someone she’s secretly looked forward to seeing every shift had left 2days before. Now, there’s a quiet longing in her eyes as she tidies up absent mindedly. Her smile, usually warm and easy, is tinged with a hint of melancholy. As she tries to refocus, she goes through the motions of her tasks: wiping down tables, brewing coffee, and greeting customers with a polite nod, but her mind is clearly elsewhere. Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months but there was no sign of John. Small sighs escape her every now and then, as she tries to push away the nagging feeling of impatience that has slowly taken hold of her. Her hand absent mindedly twists the bracelet John once gave her, a small comfort in the emptiness she’s starting to feel.
