Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HIM
Youngmi's eyes darted open. It was exactly a minute until midnight, and she fell sleep while studying again.
It wasn't a rare occurrence, this happened quite often. When Youngmi's neighbours, a married couple, would start arguing, she'd run to the café for peace and quiet.
She looked around, to her dismay there was no one in the café anymore, the employee must be at the storage room preparing coffee beans for tomorrow. Youngmi was thankful that the café was open 24/7, or she would've been kicked out hours ago.
The dark gray digital clock on the brick wall beeped, indicating it was already midnight. And, as if on cue, the café's bell had rung.
Numerous footsteps were heard throughout the empty café, which Youngmi assumed to be the new customer and the employee that might have just gone out of the storage room.
Youngmi didn't bother looking up, as she was packing her bag. She hurriedly grabbed her books that were scattered around the small circular table and neatly stacked them.
She wondered why it was quiet, she wondered why the new customer wasn't ordering yet but her thoughts were cut off when the customer spoke.
"I'll have one hot chocolate." Youngmi's head snapped at his direction as she heard the new customer's voice. She found his voice surprisingly soothing and pleasant to the ears.
It was a boy, a handsome one. He looked tired, heavy bags under his eyes. Youngmi swore to herself she felt something, maybe she saw him from somewhere or he looked like someone she knew. All but love at first sight.
Youngmi was a stubborn girl, refusing that it was love at first sight. She could name many reasons why she felt that way but none of them could be the exact reason why she felt that way, for she hasn't met nor seem him anywhere and she doesn't know anyone who looks like him.
"What's your name sir?" The boy stood before the appealing stranger ancticipated as he held a marker in his left hand and the cup in the other.
And that was all she ever waited for, she had the urge to hear what the stranger's name was. She could've dashed out of he café and crash on her bed once she reached her apartment but she waited.
After a brief moment of silence, the customer answered. "Chittap- wait nevermind, just Ten."
Ten, the word rolled of Youngmi's tongue as if she was made to say that name but what bothered her was, what was he about to say before he said Ten? 'How queer' she thought, she knew no one named Ten.
Right before the digital numbers on the clock changed, Youngmi heard the strangers name. Ten, how strange yet appealing. And, it all started at midnight.
