Red Strings: Love Comes Unexpected

1.1. Café Avec Amour

"They say love comes when you least expect it. You either recognise it or you don't. But when the eyes of the heart opens, it takes two to make it last a lifetime..."

At least that is what some writer wrote in a novel I once read. I didn't pay much thought to it nor did I ever think I would experience love at first sight again. That was until he walked through my front door.......

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Welcome to Café Avec Amour! Home for freshly brewed coffee and a place where you can pour your every thought and woes.

I'm Andrea but you can call me Rhea. My first love is the bittersweet smell of good roasted coffee beans grounded and brewed filling the café before it's visitors start spilling in. To be honest, I only started this as a part-time hobby to take my mind of work but somehow it grew onto me. A hobby of experimenting with the various types of coffee beans and pouring techniques. Somehow I found myself treating those around me with a cup of coffee and a listening ear to what ails their heart and souls. It was then that I realised that the coffee making and pouring magic was not the indescribable feeling, rather it was the people who strolled by looking for someone to listen to them.

Some come with joy to share what they've experienced. Others come hand-in-hand with their lovers and mind you there are some who have a different partner every week! But there are those who come heavy-hearted looking for a listening ear and a kind heart and that is where I come in.

As I take a sip of coffee, I take a quick glance to the clock and muse to myself, "Ahh, customers should be coming in soon. I best get the kettle on and clear the counter for them."

Krinng... Chimes the door bell as it opens.

"Rheaaa!!!" In comes my frequent visitor and childhood friend- Dorothy. "I know it's early but I need my --"

"Fix?" I reply as I hand her a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

"You .." Dore says as she takes a sip. "Are a lifesaver. My... Saviour!"

I laugh at her response. This is my daily routine with this hyper best friend of mine. She has seen my ups and downs through life and is probably the one person who supported my crazy decision to open a coffee house. Dore too has been through her own sorrows and that is how we bonded. Coming from an abusive background, the only love she'd ever known was the love from our friendship. I turned to be her shield and rock when she came to live with her mom on the top floor of our townhouse. Dore was timid and would never leave her mom's side and auntie well, she was also in a terrible state. Despite the bruises and old cuts, she would never cease to hold a sincere smile whenever we met them. Slowly, I tried to make friends with Dore and it worked but she did not share anything of what had happened before they moved in. Mom and auntie were getting along well too. Dad helped occasionally with some of the repairs when needed but kept a safe distance seeing how auntie and Dore would get uncomfortable.

As the weeks went on, things got better - Dore had loosened up and was playing along with the rest of the kids. But one day, a strange man came by and the next thing I knew, auntie was fighting for her life and Dore was hysterical. The strange man was her dad, auntie had left him for fear that he would one day harm Dore and when he decided to ignore her file for divorce - auntie ran away with a very scared Dore. Long story short, he found them and auntie got hurt trying to keep him away from hurting Dore. Fortunately, we were home and heard the commotion and managed to call the authorities. It goes without saying that the old man was imprisoned for life and Dore had her happy ending with auntie.

"Hey!" calls out Dore as she points me in the direction of the window seat. "Customer!" she whispers ever so loudly while giving me a side smile. Picking up my menu and with a grateful wink to Dore, I walk over slowly. As I do, I can help but notice the slow trickling tears down my walk-ins face. Her face tells me she has not slept for several hours, hair is slightly out of place as though she had been searching for something ... or perhaps... could it be someone...?

"Hi there and welcome, would you like to order something?" I ask breaking her train of thoughts. "Something warm perhaps? I could recommend you something." 

Wiping away the tears and with a sad smile, she turns to me and says, "Yes that would be nice."

"I know just what you need." I return the smile, "Give me a few minutes and I'll be back."

"Thank you."

"Lavender, oh come to my aid," I think to myself. Something troubles her deeply and she does seem like one who needs a listening ear. Taking short glances every once in awhile as I brew a little magic, I just want to make sure nothing troubles her in anyway. Dore lightly taps the counter to signal me that she is leaving for work so as to give me the quiet to talk to my newcomer. With the little finishing touches of dried lavender bits, I carry over the beverage with some cookies on the side and set it for her.

Again but very quietly, she replies, "Thank you."

I turn to leave but as I do, she calls out to me with, "I am sorry to trouble you with this but will you spare me a few minutes... I would really like to talk to someone right about now."

"Sure thing," I say as I sit myself down opposite her. "I've got time."

Taking a deep breath, Ava as she calls herself, begins to share of her nightly ordeal. She recounts how she had met this wonderful man who is now her fiance and talk about all the beautiful things they had been through in the last 3 years. However, just as she was sharing her fateful night that led her to this moment, her cellphone rings and upon answering it, she bursts into tears and short wails. One I am too familiar with - the feeling of loss for a loved one....

Just then, the door bell chimes signalling me of a customer but not just any customer.... Did I forget to mention that I have a special gift - I can see souls of the departed as I see those of the living and this soul who stands before me is not just anyone..... it is someone I have known for a very long time as well. A person who once held my heart in his hands....