"Love isn't always grand gestures; sometimes, it's choosing their favorite coffee."
°•~Happy Reading~•°
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Jakarta's morning sun stretched lazily over the bustling streets, casting a golden hue on the rows of street vendors selling flowers, chocolates, and heart-shaped trinkets. It was Valentine's Day, painted in shades of red and pink, where love took center stage in every corner of the city.
Sinta, a 27-year-old barista at Kopi Hangat, had always found amusement in the grand displays of affection that flooded the café each February 14th. Customers arrived with bouquets in hand, exchanging nervous smiles and sweet words over steaming cups of coffee. But for Sinta, Valentine's Day was just another workday, filled with espresso shots, latte art, and the occasional heart-shaped cookie order.
Her best friend, Rina, had pestered her all morning.
"Sinta, you seriously don't have plans today?" Rina asked, adjusting her hijab while preparing a tray of matcha lattes.
"You know me, Rina. Valentine's is for couples, and I'm perfectly fine with my single status," Sinta replied, grinning.
"Well, I hope you're ready for surprises," Rina smirked.
Sinta shook her head, focusing on the long line of customers instead.
Just as she was about to take another order, the café's door swung open, and in walked Aldo, a familiar face. He was a regular—a quiet, bookish guy who always ordered an Americano, no sugar. He had a habit of reading classic novels by the window, his deep brown eyes lost in their pages.
"Morning, Sinta," he greeted, a shy smile playing on his lips.
"The usual?" she asked, already reaching for a cup.
"Actually... I'll take something different today," he said, hesitating. "What's your favorite coffee?"
Surprised, Sinta blinked. Customers rarely asked her that.
"Uh... I like hazelnut cappuccino," she admitted.
"I'll take that, then," Aldo said.
Rina nudged Sinta from behind. "Interesting..." she whispered teasingly.
As Aldo waited for his drink, he glanced at Sinta. "You seem busy today. Got any special Valentine's plans?"
"Nope. Just making coffee for all the lovebirds," she joked.
Aldo chuckled. "Then... maybe you'd like some company after your shift?"
Sinta nearly spilled the milk she was steaming. "Wait—are you asking me out?"
His ears turned red. "Only if you want to. We could grab dinner. No pressure."
For the first time in years, Valentine's Day didn't feel like just another day. Sinta smiled.
"A hearty meal sounds nice."
And just like that, her Valentine's took an unexpected turn.
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°•~THE END~•°
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LIFE IN ONE PAGE
Short Story[Warning English is not my first language] This is a collection of flash fiction stories that "The Weekend Write In" organizes for each week. This story tells about daily life in an Indonesian country. First Chapter: Friday, 20 October 2023. Last Ch...
