Blind Hearts Unveiled|ZB1

6: Rainy Encounters and Unspoken Feelings

The clouds hung lazily in the sky, casting a soft, diffused light that seemed to set the perfect mood for a relaxing day. With his violin case in tow, Hao felt an air of contentment as he approached the cafe, already deciding on his order.

As he was entering a cafe and stepped closer to the cashier, ready to place his order, his heart seemed to skip a beat. Standing before him was none other than Hanbin, his charismatic smile radiating warmth. Startled by the unexpected encounter, Hao's practiced words seemed to evaporate from his mind, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Recognition flickered in Hanbin's eyes as he looked at Hao. "Hey, you're Zhang Hao from the school council meeting, right?" he asked, his smile growing a touch wider.

Hao blinked, feeling a mix of surprise and a pleasant flutter of nerves. "Oh, yes! That's me," he stammered, mentally scolding himself for not being more eloquent.

Hanbin's laughter was easy and genuine. "Small world, huh? So, what can I get you today?"

Hao cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "Uh, yes! I'll have a cappuccino, please."

Hanbin's fingers danced gracefully across the register as he input the order. "One cappuccino coming right up," he chirped, his gaze never leaving Hao's for too long. The air around him felt charged with a kind of energy that was hard to describe.

Hao leaned against the counter, his violin case resting beside him. He found himself stealing glances at Hanbin as the barista prepared his drink. He couldn't help but admire how effortlessly Hanbin moved, the way he engaged with the other customers, the twinkle in his eyes as he worked.

When the cappuccino was finally ready, Hanbin handed it over with a warm smile. "Here you go, one cappuccino. Enjoy!"

"Thank you," Hao replied, his voice softer than he intended. As he accepted the cup, their fingers brushed briefly, sending a tingle of electricity up his arm.

As Hao turned to find a seat, he couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. The coffee shop felt cozier than ever, the clouds outside mirroring his own feelings. And although he had originally come for a cup of coffee and some time to himself, he found himself hoping that this morning's visit might bring something unexpected – something that would weave his story together with Hanbin's in a way he never imagined.

As Hao took a sip of his cappuccino and settled into his seat, he couldn't resist the urge to strike up a conversation. "So, you work here?"

Hanbin nodded, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Yeah, I'm your friendly neighborhood barista."

Hao chuckled, his tension easing. "Seems like a cool job. I always enjoy spending time at coffee shops."

Hanbin leaned casually against the counter. "Well, it's not just a job for me. My mom actually owns this place."

Hao raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Really? That's impressive."

Hanbin grinned. "Yeah, she's the one who's really passionate about coffee. I just help out."

"Still, it's cool that you're part of it," Hao replied with a genuine smile.

Hanbin's gaze shifted to Hao's violin case. "And what about you? What's with the violin?"

Hao's heart skipped a beat at the question. "Oh, this is my violin. I play it in my free time and practice"

Hanbin's eyes lit up with interest. "That's amazing. I've always wanted to learn to play an instrument, but I never had the time."

Hao's heart warmed at their conversation. "Maybe you can start someday. It's never too late."

Hanbin chuckled softly. "Yeah, maybe. Hey, do you remember your promise to play it for me?"