The cafe had almost emptied out by the late evening. The continuous low noise of the espresso machine had softened into silence, the smell of roasted beans and caramel started to faint. outside, neon lights from the cafe across the street blinked lazily, due to the change of the atmosphere she suddenly started to feel little cold. fog had settled in, and the windows had turned misty.
After a long tiring day, The wait which felt endless to her, stretching the minutes into hours has finally over here she is ....finally she thought while seeing Maya
Alina curled up on one of the cushioned chairs near the glass wall staring at the window which had turned misty, a streaming cup of hot chocolate resting between her palms. She blew gently across the surface, watching the tiny swirls of froth dance. Across the small round table, Maya leaned back with her usual confidence, her hands wrapped around a mug of strong coffee sipping like it was the most natural extension of her existence.
"Maya," she said suddenly, lifting her eyes.
"Yes?"
"Who on earth is Rishi?"
Maya blinked, confused for a second, then broke into laughter. "Oh my God, did he irritate you already?"
Alina threw her hands in the air. "Irritate? That's an understatement. He practically made it his life's mission to ruin my day."
Alina leaned forward, " I was already struggling with the coffee machine you know, trying to make something decent before giving up. And guess what he did?"
Maya grinned, clearly entertained. "Enlighten me."
"He looked at me, at the coffee disaster, and then with the smuggest expression he said, ''That's a crime against caffeine.'"
Maya slapped the table, laughing. "Oh God, that's so Rishi."
Maya wiped her eyes, still grinning. "He's been working here for a while, you know. Bit of a coffee snob, but harmless."
"Harmless?" Alina said, scandalized. "He's a menace! He even called me ''Miss Mystery" the entire time, like I don't deserve to have an actual name."
Maya snorted. "To be fair, that's his way of being friendly. He nicknames everyone. The delivery guy is 'Fast & Furious,' our accountant is 'Spreadsheet Queen.' You should be flattered
Deeply honored!
A pause.
"Still loyal to hot chocolate?" Maya broke the silence. "One day, Alina, you'll betray it for coffee''
Alina wrinkled her nose. "Never happening. Coffee is too… bitter. It tastes like punishment in liquid form."
Maya chuckled. "You're dramatic. Coffee is maturity.Hot chocolate is like… childhood wrapped in a blanket."
"Exactly," Alina said, grinning as she cupped the mug closer to her face. "And who doesn't want to stay wrapped in a blanket forever?"
They laughed together, the comfortable kind that only came from years of friendship. For a moment, it felt like nothing had changed between them the same bond, the same rhythm. But underneath that easy laughter, there were unspoken shifts in their lives waiting to be addressed.
Maya set her cup down, her expression turning thoughtful. "So, you already finished your exams, right? Today was the last one?"
Alina nodded, shoulders slumping. "Yeah, finally done. But now comes the real problem."
"Finding a place?" Maya guessed immediately.
Alina let out a long sigh. "Exactly. My dorm contract ends this week, and I haven't even finalized a rented place yet. It's like my brain refuses to function after those exams."
"Then stay with me," Maya said, as though it was the most obvious solution in the world.
Alina's head snapped up. "Stay… with you?"
"Yes. I already bought an apartment. I'm signed the papers today, It's spacious enough for both of us until you figure things out."
Alina shook her head quickly. "I don't think that's a good idea. first I want to start earning, At least then, I won't feel like a burden. I can't just… depend on you like that. .
"You're not burden, Alina." a Maya's voice softened. "You've never been''
Alina gave her a small smile but didn't answer. She stared into her hot chocolate instead, watching the marshmallow melt slowly, disappearing into brown swirls.
Maya leaned forward suddenly, a spark lighting her eyes. "Fine, then. Why don't you work with us? We actually need a manager at the cafe. You'll earn, you'll learn, and you'll get experience
Alina blinked. "Me? A manager?"
"Yes, you." Maya crossed her arms with mock seriousness. "Don't make that face. You're responsible when you want to be. And you're organized. Plus, it'll be fun you'll get to see me boss people around."
Alina laughed nervously. "Fun for you, maybe. I don't even know the names of the coffee."
"That can be taught," Maya waved off casually. She took a sip and then glanced at her. ''You know,'' after a small pause she began ''this feels exactly like those evenings back in school when we used to sit on the terrace with the juice boxes, pretending it was wine''
Alina laughed softly ''And we call it our Writer's club''
The words alone pulled Alina into a wave of nostalgia. The way she used to hide from everyone even from her family and start to write secretly, Maya was the only one who knows about Alina being a writer and the secret chats they used to do late night discussing the plot of the story.
Maya had always been the loud one, the talker, the dreamer who thought no idea was too big, Alina, on the other hand was the quite scribbler, the one who poured words into lined pages as if they were secrets too delicate to say aloud
Remember the first story you wrote ? Maya's eyes sparkled, her smile wide
Alina rolled her eyes in embarrassment but smiled too . ''The princess who ran away from her palace because she hated protocols''
''Exactly! ''Maya burst into laughter, leaning forward as if the memory itself was delicious. ''And then you made the prince sneaker the princess away - what was that ? just to end up on the rooftop sharing ice cream ?
Alina's cheeks warmed. ''Hey, don't mock me ! I was just seventeen''
''I'm not mocking!'' Maya insisted, still laughing ''I'm saying it was so unique . who else think a prince and princess end up eating ice cream on rooftop''
Alina bit her lip, her smile lingering as she started at her cup. Back then, she hasn't thought her silly stories that meant nothing. But Maya treated them like diamond.
''Honestly, you were my first fan'', Alina admitted softly.
Maya's laughter faded into gentle smile. ''And I am still''
The words landed heavy in Alina's chest. She had stopped writing years ago college, exams, responsibilities had slowly swallowed her favorite habit where she feel comfortable. Sometimes she would open her old notebook, run her fingers over the half-finished sentences, and re read what she had wrote and feel it. Her responsibilities never let her enjoy what she wanted to do. in that moment, her tears slipped free, she tried hard to hold them back, burying the storm inside, she shut the book again and hide it so that no one can see it
But Maya… Maya had never let go of the belief that Alina was meant to write.
"Do you remember our college fest?" Maya asked suddenly, tilting her head.
Alina blinked, then groaned. "Please don't."
"Oh, I will." Maya grinned wickedly. "You were supposed to just submit a short story anonymously. But no, someone" she pointed dramatically at Alina "ended up winning first prize, and when they called out your name, you ran away."
"I wasn't ready for that kind of attention," Alina muttered, covering her face with her hands.
"Every one was searching for you. Since you weren't there, I was forced to accept the prize on your behalf" Maya said
Alina peeked at her through her fingers. "You never stop exaggerating."
But inside, her heart warmed. That day, when your name has been announced the auditorium had echoed with claps, Maya had squeezed her hand tighter than anyone. "See? I told you," Maya had whispered back then. "You're meant for this."
The memory lingered as Alina lowered her hands and took a sip of hot chocolate.
Maya set her cup down with a soft thud, her expression turning more serious. "Look, Alina. You can keep running from it, or you can pick up the pen again. You have a gift. Don't bury it just because life got busy."
For a long moment, Alina didn't reply. She only stared at her half-finished drink, feeling the weight of her friend's words pressing into her chest. She wanted to argue, to say writing was childish or unrealistic. But deep down, the words rang true. Writing was the only thing that ever made her feel alive, and Maya knew it better than anyone.
Still, the thought of starting again scared her. What if she wasn't good anymore? What if she had lost whatever spark she once had?
Almost as if reading her silence, Maya reached across the table and tapped her hand. "And hey, if you're still worried about money, there's always the cafe. We need someone trustworthy, and you're perfect for it."
Alina frowned. "Trustworthy? You just watched me ruin coffee."
They shared another smile before silence returned, heavier this time but in a comforting way.
Alina stared out of the cafe window. The streetlights outside glowed . People walked past in hurried steps, carrying bags, holding conversations, living their lives.
She thought of her own life her exams now over, her dorm room that felt less like home, and the wide unknown that stretched in front of her.
For the first time in a long time, she felt a spark inside her, faint but alive.
Maybe Maya was right. Maybe she could find her way again
It was late now, the clock ticking toward closing time. The barista in the corner packed up quietly, leaving Alina and Maya in their own little bubble.
"You don't have to decide right away," Maya said at last, finishing her coffee. "But promise me you'll think about it. Either start writing again, or join me at the cafe. Don't just… float without direction. You're better than that."
Alina leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. "I'll think about it," she said honestly.
"That's all I ask."
A few minutes passed in silence before Alina glanced at the clock and stood up suddenly. "I should go. If I get back too late, the dorm will close its gates."
"Then listen," Maya said quickly, grabbing her arm. "If they don't let you in, don't wander around. Just come back here. Stay at my place tonight if you have to. I'll wait for you."
Alina hesitated but nodded. "Alright. Thank you… for everything today."
Maya smiled warmly. "You'll thank me properly when I treat you to a meal next time."
With that, Alina grabbed her bag and headed toward the door. The bell chimed softly above her head as she pushed it open, stepping into the quiet night.
She didn't know what awaited her tomorrow whether she would pick up her pen again or stumble into the chaos of cafe management. But for the first time in months, maybe years, she felt the faintest spark of possibility.
And that was enough.