Snaps in Memory

As Bitter Yet Satisfying As a Coffee

Watching through the glass, Rina looked at the people striding quickly and busily pacing through the crowd as they go about their business for the day. Might be going to work, she thought.

Germans are known to be very efficient on how to use their time. Every minute should be used wisely and be spent in accomplishing something worthwhile. If something must be done, it should be done right away in the least amount of time and effort. Do they have time to just relax? she wondered.

She smiled thanking God that here she is, enjoying her macchiato inside this homey cafe in the middle of this bustling German downtown. Rina chose the far end corner facing the entrance door and the counter where the attendant attentively takes each customer's order. To her right is the glass partition which makes her see the outside pavement lined with people walking to wherever they are going. In contrast, inside the cafe, people are a little bit relaxed, savoring their drinks, chattering with friends and acquaintances, or just feeling the quiet vibes of the day, just like her.

The last five years was such a struggle for Rina. After losing her husband to a car accident and recovering from trauma, she bravely faces each day nursing her wounds, physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. She subconsciously rubs the big scar lining her forehead as she reminisces all those years. Richard, her husband, was her pillar of support, her best friend, and companion. Their marriage might not be perfect and all romantic, but he was definitely someone she relied on for strength. Losing him tragically undeniably left a hollow spot in her life. Through her mourning, Rina became occupied in supporting her daughter Christine, who that time was starting with her business endeavors. Rina knew that Richard wanted Christine to fully achieve her potential in her chosen field. Their bond as mother and daughter became stronger as they healed through the years.

Now, here she is in Germany, accompanying Christine in this week long entrepreneur symposium in the city. Rina knows Christine can do things independently, however, this trip is what both of them wished and needed. That's why they decided to do their European backpack trip with Germany as their base. Richard would have surely liked this trip, she thought knowing what a wanderlust he was.

"Excuse me," a deep voice suddenly cuts Rina in her trail of thoughts. She looks up at the towering figure across her table until her gaze lands on a pair of gray eyes staring deeply at her. For a moment, Rina feels lost in the stranger's eyes, lost but comforting, like she finds solace through his stares. She gets back to her senses when the man talks.

"Can I share this table with you? There is no available space around," he said.

Rina looks around, yes, there might be many customers, but there are still other spots where this man can actually sit. She is not really the type of person who is comfortable with the presence of other human beings, especially when she wants to relax. But of course, she cannot be too selfish to say no to this stranger, knowing that she is not really a resident of this country.

"Yeah, you may sit. There is still space for another person," she softly said as she smiled awkwardly to him. As the man puts down his coffee, Rina fidgets through her hair and straightens her top anxiously. Her mild panic attack is manifesting but she tries to calm her nerves, forcing herself to think this is just a normal social encounter with a human being. No big deal, she sighs.

Rina tries to relax and just enjoy her macchiato while stealing glances to the man in front of her. He looks good. Pretty neat blonde hair, rich eyebrows, gray eyes, pointy nose suited for a man, chiseled jawline, and wait...Is that a mole right above his thin pinkish lips? She tries to look at it closer, but the man senses her gaze, which is by the way borderline creepy, and looks straight at her.

"Have we met before?"