I work as a waitress at Strawberry café. It's a small, cozy place, where we serve homemade cake slices and tea.
Everyday at 5 pm, there's a girl who comes here, and sits on the chair next to the window. She gazes out there as if she's lost in her thoughts. Not to mention the red scarf always wrapped around her neck.
We never really talk.
"The same as always?" I ask, picking up the menu I left on her table. Her usual response, "Yeah."
She always asks for a cup of lemon tea and strawberry cake. She drinks the tea, but only eats the top strawberry and leaves the rest of the cake. Then she pays for everything and leaves never after 5:30. And that's it.
The thing is... I make the strawberry cake.
And everyone loves it. But then this girl just leaves the whole thing. Again... and again... and again. It feels like a slap in the face. I even practiced in the mirror how to ask her why she never eats my cake.
"The same as always?" I end up asking. And then she makes her "I hate everyone" look and I get scared... you know?
But today is the day and her chair is empty. I suppose that today it's not my day to be brave... Or maybe it is.
The door opens and the bell rings.
"I know you want a cup of tea and strawberry cake but I want you to tell my why you never eat it. I make the cakes everyday and everyone loves them. I work hard, I wake up at 6 am to go to school, make the cakes, work, and I also take care of the cats that live here. I want to know why my effort's not good enough for you."
We stand there in silence.
My brows are furrowed. Her eyes are widened. But then my frown wanes and my cheeks flush a shade of rosy embarrassment. "Oh god..."
"I just don't like sweets.".
"So why do you order the cake?"
"I just want an excuse to see you everyday."
My blush expands to my cheeks.
"So do you make the cake?"
"Yes."
"Bring me the same."
"Yes. Sorry for all that."
"It's okay."
I hide in the kitchen for awhile. I ask someone else to take her food. I'm too embarrassed to do it myself.
About thirty minutes after that, the chair is empty, as always.
There is something different this time, though...
