special brew. | BrightWin

4.

B

All the other customers had left as it was almost time for our lunch break. I was cleaning up the tables when I noticed that Win was still seated where he was since the start, staring into blank space.

"Are you sure you're okay? Do you need some warm water or anything, you look worn out." This was probably the third time I have asked him the same question and I was beginning to worry that he may find me annoying, but I was genuinely concerned. He didn't look good.

"Oh, hey. Are you still busy?" He asked. I shook my head and sat down on the stool beside him. "Well, I heard things haven't been going so well here, and I'm worried."

I didn't know what to say, and just kept looking at him. I have no idea how he came to know this information, but what mattered more is that he seemed genuinely bothered by it.

He continued, "I also have learnt that you own this place. I know it isn't any of my business to be probing into this, but I'm just sad to see this place go without doing anything."

I gripped the cloth tightly in my hands as a strange feeling washed over me. It felt awful seeing him stressed out over my issues, but at the same time I was oddly happy by the fact that he cared. I cleared my throat and said awkwardly, "Haha, seems like you found out."

It was a terrible way to start off.

"Yes, we've been in a bit of a pickle for quite some time. We've been struggling to get by for months now because rent's been increasing and we are having trouble getting customers." I said sadly. "I've been here for a few years now, and I don't want to see it go either."

"Let me help you." He said, his eyes filled with determination. "I know I can't do much, but there must be some way I can help!"

I looked at the guy in front of me who looked like he was ready to fight the world. I remembered how Film pleaded with me to reconsider closing up shop, and now with him, it restored my faith even more.

I chuckled at his innocence. "Why do you want to help me?"

He paused for a brief moment, as if he was thinking of how to answer. "Because you're my friend."

I raised my eyebrows. To be honest, I felt the same way, but I never dared to cross that line because I was afraid he thought otherwise. But more than anything, he felt like someone I could just click with automatically without trying hard.

"I'm sorry if I said anything weird, I hope I haven't made you uncomfortable." He said when he noticed I didn't reply. He was fiddling with his hands nervously.

"No, not at all. I was just...surprised. Because I thought of you as my friend too, but I wasn't sure if you felt the same." I assured him, which made him heave a sigh of relief. "I'm happy to have you as my friend."

His face lit up in an instant. "Well then, what can I do to help?"

"Hm..." I pondered. "You could help me to share posts about my café on Instagram. I think that would help me to reach a lot more people."

"Consider it done! What's the account for the café? I'll follow it right away." He said enthusiastically as he turned on his phone and opened the Instagram app.

"Um, I actually don't have an Instagram for the café yet as I hadn't thought of setting one up." I scratched my head. "I do promote it on my personal account though."

"Really? I can share your posts then!" He said, handing me his phone to enter my username. I typed it in and handed it back to him, and he immediately tapped the 'Follow' button. I took my phone out too and tapped the new notification, which led me to his account.

"I've sent you a Follow request too." I said. He accepted my request, and I could see that he had posted something on his story. When I opened it, I saw that he had reposted my most recent post promoting my café, along with a caption that said:

Their latte is really good. ^_^

"Thank you." I said to him.

"What for?" He said, puzzled.

"For caring."

He smiled warmly. "If you really see me as your friend, don't thank me. You helped me the first day we met too, remember?"

"Sure. Then, please help me to share my posts often, okay?" I said cheekily.

"I don't have a lot of followers myself though, so that wouldn't help much." He laughed. "But my food blogger friend will definitely be able to help you reach a lot more people! I'll get her to repost your stuff too."

"You know a food blogger?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah, she's my close friend from university and she runs a food review page that is pretty popular. In fact, she came here yesterday, I think you may have met her."

He proceeded to show me an Instagram page, and I immediately recognised the post from yesterday as Film had showed it to me.

"Here, this post. I had posted a photo of that smiley face latte you made. She saw it and found it cute, so she decided to come." He giggled. "She really loved it here, I'm sure her followers will love it too. They really trust her reviews."

My heart swelled, and I felt like crying. I tried my hardest to maintain my composure so that the tears wouldn't flow.

This man has no idea that his simple act was the reason why things have gotten better for me overnight. He was the reason I could get out of bed this morning happily to come to work than waking up in despair and frustration like I have the past few months.

"Hey, your eyes are red and watery. Are you okay?" He asked worriedly as he looked at my face.

"I'm fine." I smiled, swallowing back the tears. "Anyway, I'm gonna have to chase you out because we're closing temporarily for our break before the dinner crowd." I said jokingly.

"I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time, I didn't know you were waiting." He stacked up his plate and cup just like yesterday. "I'll be going off now. Save my seat on Monday for breakfast!"

"Of course, the seat will always be free for you." I said, waving at him as he headed out the door.