Machiatto Encounter

First Rain Of May

It's summer time yet I feel so cold. It's been months ever since I had an encounter with the bratty daughter of the owner of the building our Coffee Shop is renting. Good thing I have a strong-willed Supervisor. Actually, she's also like that outside work. I can still remember the time when she came to the rescue during my college days. Someone was trying to bring me down in the middle of my vulnerable state. When she backed me up from that person, I felt so relieved. That's why I really value our friendship so much. However, the rain is making me sad. The first rainfall of May reminded me of the day I lost my scholarship. When I found out that I am no longer a scholar, I bathed in rain. I was soaking wet. My stuff were so wet. Isn't it dramatic? Well, crappy things happen in life. So, I have to move on. Aside from that, I felt empty. I don't know why. So while I am currently staring at the window while it's still raining outside, I'm figuring out things. Like what path should I go on? When will I be able to finally tell my parents that I got the study leave? How would they react if they find out about it? Will they be proud of me again? Looks like I miss them. For me not to feel sad, I went to the locker area to get my phone. When I checked my phone, I saw 13 missed calls. Whoa! This is an unlucky number. The next thing I knew, these calls were from Candy, my Supervisor at the Call Center I'm working with. So, I decided to give her a call.

"Hello Candy?"
"Sefi! Finally, you answered my call." She said.
"Sorry. I was caught up with work here in the Coffee Shop. Had to run some errands." I said. "Is everything okay?"
"Actually yes." She answered. "The reason why I had to call you is to let you know that you're application for the Trainer post has been approved. In fact, you're shortlisted for the post. So, once you are called for an interview, grab that chance. Okay?"
"OMG! Candy!" I almost cried. "Thank you! If you're here right on front of me, I could have hugged you!"
"Well, save that hug. Just continue to do good. Okay? Anyway, I got to go. Enjoy your rest days girl." Then, the call ended. That was a bit shocking. Who would've thought that my sadness earlier will turn into something happy. I have to tell Rita. So, I decided to go to her office to tell her the great news.

While I was on my post at the Coffee Bar, I saw a familiar face of a guy. It's Joseph. God! Its been months ever since we met. I can still remember the time he saved me from the bratty customer's ill doing. He's with the same guys he was with when he first visited the shop. I can see that all of them were a bit wet because of the rain. Then, he caught me looking at him. After that, I just gave him my warm smile. Few seconds after, he approached me on my post.

"Hi." He said with his usual deep warm voice.
"Hi." I said. "What drink would you and your friends would like to have today?"
"Same drink as before but make it hot." He said. "How are you? I haven't seen you in months Sefi."
"Well, my shift changed." I answered. "How about you? Did you just got off from your shift?"
"Yes. Too bad I can't go home yet. It's raining too hard." He said. "That's why I dropped by to get some coffee with my friends."
"Are you gonna be having a Machiatto?" I asked.
"You still remember that?" He asked.
"Yes. Its weird but I can still remember that." Now I felt that I am blushing. What's wrong with me?
"Well, even during the time that our paths do not meet here in the Coffee Shop, I order the same drink everytime I come here." He continued. "In fact, I was looking for you. But the barista I spoke with said he doesn't know where you are. I even thought that you left the shop for good."
"Whoa!" I exclaimed. "That's not gonna happen. This shop is part of my life." I stared at him. Then, I realized one thing. He has beautiful set of eyes. No. He has this beautiful set of dramatic eyes. The next thing I knew, both of us are staring at each other. Then, I shook my head fast.
"You okay?" He said.
"I'm fine." I said with an authoritative voice.  "Aren't you going to get any drink?"
"Oh." He wondered. "Yeah. About that, I'm not sure what to get. But,..." He became silent all of a sudden. Now, this is weird. As far as I can remember, he talks spontaneously. How come Joseph acts weird? "Well,..." Looks like he is coming to his senses. "Actually, when I saw you again here in the coffee shop, I am not so sure how I'm going to talk to you again." He sighed deeply before talking again. "Even if it's been months ever since we last saw each other, I just can't seem to get you off my mind. It even felt that I haven't seen you for years." Upon hearing those words, my heart pounded a bit fast. I have to admit, there are times that when I look at the entrance door of our shop, I am hoping that he will show up again. Now, I already knew why our paths do not cross lately due to time difference. How I wish I can talk to him but I am still on my shift. Rita's going to kill me for sure. "Well? Aren't you going to say something?"
"I'm sorry but I don't know what to say." I said. "I have to get back to work."
"Well, you haven't gotten my order yet. So technically, you are still working. Get me a drink." Now he's acting smooth.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"A cup of Machiatto with you." Now that was very straightforward.
"I can't have a coffee with you right now. And I prefer not to." Gosh. I just have to decline. I can't fall in love just yet. Wait. I can't fall in love that fast! No. Not now. Wait.  No! I am definitely not falling for this guy! Not so fast Sefi. Not so fast.
"Why?" He asked.
"Look," I started. "you're the first guy who asked me out in my entire life. So, I'm a bit picky when it comes to stuff like this. So, no. Just no for now."
"Okay. I'll order one cup of Machiatto without you." He sounded dismayed. Then, a few seconds after, he looked at me again and said, "However, I'll wait for you until your shift ends."
My heart started pounding so fast. I froze. This is not happening. This should not be happening at all but it is happening. Then, after I took his order, I said, "Since it's still raining, let's have a deal." I cleared my throat. "If the rain stops 10 minutes from now, you will go home and I'll do the same thing after my shift but if the rain doesn't stop after that time, I will join your table for coffee. Deal?"
"Deal." He agreed and we shook hands.

Ten minutes has already passed and the rain still haven't stopped. Joseph is still inside the Coffee Shop looking outside. Well, a deal is a deal.