Will you pay for my coffee?
Teacher Ms. Suchatra
He hurried into the café, realizing that he had messed up. Well, not that he was good at keeping his time but this was one day he didn’t want to spoil but he did it, unintentionally. As he walked in, taking two three little skips to walk faster, he realized there were not many people in that café, another bummer as what was about to happen might be an embarrassment to himself. At least with the number of people and noise, he thought he could overcome it. There was a couple in the corner, enjoying the food more than each other’s company, a decent-looking girl, looking at her phone without a purpose, a person with camera on the food, probably another person who was living in the virtual social media world and there was Alyssa, facing the bar in front of her.
“Hi, sorry, I’m late. I’m…”
“Thank God you realize that.”
“Errr…sorry again. I was caught up with some work. I wanted to call you but then I realized that I didn’t have your number.”
“It’s ok, I don’t think you would need my number anyway”.
“Oh, you’ve decided so soon. Well, I thought we could at least give it a try. Let’s get to know each other first”.
“I’m only here because my parents wanted me to see you. I ran out of ideas to tell them about not meeting another guy for marriage. Look, I’m a girl of modern-thinking; I don’t like the idea of getting married to a stranger and falling in love after the marriage. What if it doesn’t work? Going through a divorce is another tormenting process and I don’t think I deserve it”.
“I understand. By the way, is your boyfriend here? Is the food photographer the guy you’re with?”
For once, Alyssa was quiet as she didn’t know how to answer him. She was even more shocked that he could guess it so easily. She looked at him, trying to get some words out but they weighed heavier than ever.
“Look, I’m not a professional in relationships. But don’t you think you should be saying all this to your parents rather than a stranger? If you have the guts to say all these to me, I’m very sure you have the same guts to tell your parents about it. After all, this is your choice, good or bad. Sit and discuss with them. You wouldn’t have to come up with reasons not to meet a guy, the best part; you might not even have to go through a divorce. Be responsible for your choice and make sure you stand up for it”.
“I..I don’t know what to say. I’m…I…”
“It’s ok, maybe you can ask for the bill. After all, you had a nice coffee, didn’t you?”
Alyssa walked away, speechless but with a mind full of questions visible through her frowning. The food photographer followed her seconds later. Watching them leaving the café together, he thought to himself that it was time for him to order a drink when suddenly he realized that there was a girl beside him, it was the decent-looking girl.
“How did you know that they came together?”
“Will you pay for my coffee?” he asked.
“Hi, I’m Neetha, I think we should get to know each other”, she extended her hand to him.
“Hi, I’m…What? You’re Neetha! Who was she then?”
The café was crowded, not by people, but with both of their laughter and it was just the beginning.