To the Stranger in the Cafe

Dear café stranger in the corner,

Writing an intimate letter to you truly allows me to be creative because I don't feel restricted. If I was also confident enough, I'd ask the other strangers in this coffee shop to read my manuscripts as I know that they'll never meet me again to tease me for my grammar mistakes or plot holes. Indeed, I feel more creative that way—no restrictions means freedom! I could write about dragons turning into humans without having a friend scream in my ear that it's senseless, or I could write about horned-creatures being benevolent characters without a family member accusing me of worshipping the devil.

Back then, I used to hide my sketchbooks and my diary from my family because I was too embarrassed to share anything to them. When they did see what I drew and wrote, they thought I was in a cult and mocked me for it. But what they didn't know was that these characters were people I would have wanted as friends and family. Sure, they have pointy ears, some have horns, and some have fluffy tails, they brought me unimaginable joy for years. Still, it was difficult for me to share my creative stuff to people I was close with.

One time, I dropped my art book and a stranger picked it up. At first, I panicked because I was scared that they'd think I was a weirdo. Luckily, they simply smiled at me and told me: "Your drawings and your little poems are nice. Keep it up." Hearing that made me feel seen and validated. I felt happier than ever.

The reason why I'm writing this is I get to bare my soul to you without worrying about getting told to reshape it or drench it in a different color. After all, I am more creative when I don't have to think about what I shouldn't write.

Yours truly,

Kai