The Awkward Chronicles of Love and Coffee

The Daily Grind

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The Awkward Chronicles of Love and Coffee
A Novel by Sami Bhuiyan

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The Daily Grind

Mahadi Hassan stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, his breath fogging the glass as he leaned closer. He practiced what he hoped was a devastatingly seductive smile, but the result was somewhere between a pained grimace and an accidental wince. 

"What am I doing with my life?" he muttered, running a hand through his perpetually messy hair. 

At twenty-eight, Mahadi had a career most people envied, complete with six-figure bonuses and stock options. He had a sleek, modern apartment with a fridge stocked with overpriced oat milk he never drank and a bed that hadn’t seen company in months. But when it came to women—specifically *her*—he was hopeless. Tasnuva Rahman, the radiant barista at "Bean There, Done That," had occupied his thoughts more persistently than his overworked GitHub repositories. 

"Just ask her out," his best friend Rahat had said. "You’re a grown-ass man, not a bashful teenager. You code for a living. You’re basically a magician. Use some of that brainpower to make a move!" 

Mahadi had tried. God knows he had tried. But every attempt to flirt ended with him mumbling something about foam textures or weather patterns, and Tasnuva’s slightly bemused expression only added to his growing embarrassment. 

He grabbed his tea thermos—a gift from his meddlesome sister—and headed out. The brisk city air nipped at his face as he walked the three blocks to the coffee shop, his heart already racing for reasons that had nothing to do with caffeine. As he opened the door, the familiar scent of coffee beans hit him like a warm embrace. 

Tasnuva looked up from the counter, her ponytail swinging as she greeted him with a smirk. “Ah, Mr. Half-Caf, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free, But-Also-Extra-Everything. Right on time.” 

Mahadi's lips twitched into a nervous smile. “You forgot the gluten-free part.” 

“I did not. I just refuse to humor it anymore,” she teased, already reaching for a cup. Her dark eyes sparkled as she added, “You do know coffee doesn’t even have gluten, right?” 

His cheeks flushed. “Well, I—uh…” He tried to lean casually on the counter but nearly knocked over a display of scones. 

Tasnuva’s laugh was low and throaty, and it did things to him that were decidedly not caffeine-related. “Relax, Mahadi. It’s just coffee. Not a marriage proposal.” 

Not yet, anyway, he thought, biting back the urge to say something that would only make things worse. 

He slid into his usual spot by the window, hiding behind his laptop but keeping an eye on Tasnuva as she moved with practiced ease, taking orders, steaming milk, and occasionally stealing glances in his direction. The morning rush was starting to pick up, and Mahadi let his gaze linger a little longer than usual, savoring the curve of her hips under the snug green apron. 

And then it happened. The moment that would change everything. 

The new guy, Zafar—nervous, fidgety, and apparently unfamiliar with the laws of physics—attempted to clean the espresso machine without turning it off. A loud hiss filled the air, followed by an explosion of steam and frothy milk that splattered everywhere, including directly onto Tasnuva. She let out a startled yelp, the front of her shirt clinging wetly to her skin in a way that made Mahadi choke on his tea. 

“Great,” she muttered, glaring at Zafar before turning to Mahadi. “You want to help, or are you just going to sit there and stare?” 

He stood so quickly he knocked over his chair, earning a round of laughter from the gossiping uncles in the corner. “I-I’ll help!” he stammered, grabbing napkins and rushing to her side. 

As their hands brushed during the cleanup, Mahadi realized two things: One, her skin was warm and soft under his fingers. And two, he was utterly and hopelessly in love. 

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The grand opening of “Muffins & Mishaps” was nothing short of chaos—exactly how they’d imagined it. The line stretched out the door, filled with curious locals, loyal customers from "Bean There, Done That," and more than a few friends and family members eager to see if the awkward programmer and the fiery barista had what it took to run a business—and a life—together. 

“Are you seriously putting the thermos on display?” Tasnuva asked, arching an eyebrow as she watched Mahadi position the infamous “World’s Okayest Tea Drinker” mug on the shelf behind the counter. 

“It’s part of the story,” he said, pulling her close. “Besides, it’s cute. Just like you.” 

She rolled her eyes but didn’t pull away, resting her hands on his chest. “You’re lucky I find you endearing.” 

“And you’re lucky I didn’t give up after the whole muffin incident,” he shot back, brushing his lips against her ear. His voice dropped, rich and low. “Or after you spilled coffee all over me that first time you came to my place.” 

Her cheeks flushed, and she swatted him lightly. “You were wearing that hideous coding T-shirt. I did you a favor.” 

Mahadi grinned, letting his hands slide down to her waist. “I’d spill coffee on every shirt I own if it meant getting you out of yours again.” 

“Mahadi!” she hissed, though her smile betrayed her. “The customers can hear you.” 

“They’re here for the muffins,” he said, pulling her closer. “Not the drama.” 

The new sign flickered to life in the window, its glowing letters a testament to their journey: *Where Tea Drinkers and Coffee Lovers Find Their Perfect Blend.* As they shared a quiet moment amid the bustling café, Mahadi pressed a kiss to Tasnuva’s forehead, his heart full of gratitude and the heady buzz of love. 

In a city full of ordinary stories, theirs had been anything but. And as they stood together, ready to take on whatever came next, Mahadi knew one thing for certain: every awkward moment, every spilled drink, and every sleepless, caffeine-fueled night had been worth it. 

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The End

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