Every Afternoon at 4 (One Shot)

No one's ever too busy for an afternoon coffee, or maybe that's just me.

I like to spend a portion of my day drinking a cup of the finest original coffee, and I rarely ask for a creamer, and I only put a teaspoon of sugar. The home of the best coffee you may ask? It's in this cafe called "Sweet n Smiles". 

The place has been open for business for three years now. And I have been a customer ever since. I was in attendance during the opening, during the cheesecake eating contest, and even during the time when the kitchen caught on fire because of an extremely clumsy barista. 

I remember one time, when I entered the cafe and I was the only customer there, someone immediately spoke, almost like disclaiming, and said "This is because today is the start of summer, sir.". 

I didn't even mind that I'm the only customer, anyways. But, this crew member seemed defensive. Actually, it made me think that it doesn't matter if it's the start of summer because they also serve iced coffee and other beverages, well, not that I tried those before. I only tasted their hot, delicious coffee. 

I checked the clock on the wall and it says exactly four o'clock. It was the first time that I noticed the time. I never really cared enough to check the time, even though I have my phone and even a wristwatch to look at it. I guess that's not important for me. What's important is that I drink my afternoon coffee.

Immediately after taking my seat, a waiter approached me and asked about what I want. I was surprised when instead of asking me "What do you like to order, sir?", he rather asked "A cup of the original coffee, no cream, a teaspoon of sugar. Right, sir?". 

The waiter was waiting for my response. I remained silent for a couple of seconds before answering 'yes'. He then said, "Would that be all, sir?", and I said 'yes'. Right after he said 'thank you' and leaves to get my order, I asked him as to why he knew what I was going to ask for. 

He replied, "Sir, it's a no brainer, you come here every four o'clock in the afternoon, almost creepily at four p.m. sharp, and orders the same thing every single time. Okay, sir, just let me get your order." and he left for the counter and punched my order.

Just a few seconds, literally, he came to my table with my coffee already. It was either a very commendable customer service, or an incident with due explanation. 

I asked, "How come your barista prepared this speedily?", I looked at the cup to check if it looks poorly prepared, and it looked remarkably well done. It was served hot, and tasted like the coffee I've grown to love. 

The waiter answered, "Our barista started preparing your coffee the second after the bell rang as you entered our cafe's door. She checked the clock in the kitchen, and without even looking at the door, she knew that there is only one customer who comes during this time, who will sit on the table near the window on the left side, just right where no one in the kitchen can see. It turns out, Casi has already mastered the perfect time when to start preparing the cup she says 'the favorite one' she prepares every day." 

It gave me chills. I did not know how to react. The waiter left after realizing that I was dumb founded after what he said. I left the cafe that day with a twisted mind. I was thinking whether I'll get my coffee the next day just like how I got it that day. 

The next afternoon, I went to the cafe intentionally at four o'clock. I perfectly timed my entrance. And it was serendipitous that as I expected, I was served with my treat at a very similar pace. 

I didn't miss the opportunity that day. I asked the waiter who assisted me, who happens to be the waiter who takes my order eighty percent of the time, a couple of questions. I asked about the kitchen catching on fire before, and who might be responsible for that commotion. I got the answer I was actually expecting. He said, "Oh, that was Casi, our barista who does your coffee! She was all over the place that's why the fire happened. I asked her what she was doing so frantically that resulted into that hiatus."