25 Minutes

Boky ary Kafe has been my favorite place since I discovered it a few years back - relaxing and a perfect place to chill or just hang out with friends. I also love the unique name: Boky ary Kafe. Curiosity got the best of me so I searched for the meaning: "books and coffee".

When Kia, my younger sister, was down, I brought her here which made her smile because of the books surrounding the place. Since then, this place has been meaningful to us - like some sort of a sibling-thing; a special bonding place. She loved it here, especially because of the bookish aura.

On my table is a plain paper bag with the book I bought for Kia. Out of boredom, I took the book and studied the cover. I'm not into books but the title and the girl on the cover caught my attention. This must be really good because this book was the last from the 3rd bookstore I went. It was always out of stock even though I remembered Kia told me it'll be easy to buy one since it has only been out in the market for a few days. Maybe a blockbuster? I don't know.

23:11, the title says. Interesting.

I checked the time: 11:05. Kia's class ends at 11:30 and I'm picking her up.

My thoughts drifted away when the aroma changed: from coffee to vanilla. Sweet. Attractive.

I noticed a girl on the counter. Alone. Is the strong, sweet smell her cologne? She looks weirdly hot that I couldn't help but check her out.

Eye glasses. Which, I'll admit, looks good on her.

Weirdly enough, her vibrant hair looks good on her. Violet. Blue. And a hint of pink inside. It actually reminds me of 23:11's book cover.

Then she smiled at the barista she was talking to and I caught a glimpse of her braces. Cute. Cute smile.

This may sound cliche but something is telling me to go and make friends with her, like her eyes or smile or her vibrant hair is drawing me close to her. I watched as she sat on a chair two tables away from mine, pulling a sketchpad out. She closed her eyes as if inhaling the aroma of the place, a contented smile spreading across her face. How beautiful. But when she looked at her task at hand, a disappointed sigh escaped her lips.

I waited for what she'll do next. She facepalmed and playfully slapped her face, rumbling something under her breathe. Cute. I can't resist the urge to smile like an idiot anymore.

After a minute, she kept the pad on her bag and scanned through her phone when her order came - a slice of triple chocolate cake and fries. Without even glancing at the waiter, she thanked the man, her focus still on her phone. I breathed. This is now or never.

I took that as a chance to approach her and I can't help but laugh as I got a glimpse of what she was doing - or playing: Piano Tiles. She gave up on drawing something and played on her cellphone instead.

She was too engrossed with tapping that she didn't even noticed my presence.

I glanced at the clock.

11:11

I'm sure Kia will wait for me, yes?

"Fuck," she cursed out of the blue as she looked up at me.

That's when I saw her whole face and heard her voice for the very first time. I'll admit I was mesmarized, but then again, who wouldn't? She doesn't even sound like a by-stander as she cursed out loud. It doesn't seem inappropriate hearing her mutter a profanity.

"Hi." I smiled.

She stared at me.

I gulped.