☕ A Cup of Hope
By Mhmd Wehbee
The morning began with the sound of gentle rain tapping on the windows of a small coffee shop tucked between two old buildings. Maya stood behind the counter, her hands wrapped around a warm cup, the smell of roasted beans filling the air. It was her father's shop—her favorite memory, her biggest challenge, and her only dream.
She had stopped believing in "new beginnings." Life had been hard lately. Bills, responsibilities, loneliness—everything seemed too heavy. Until that morning.
The door opened, and a man walked in, shaking off the rain. His shirt was slightly wet, his smile unsure but kind.
"Do you have anything strong enough to wake me up after a night of no sleep?" he joked.
Maya smiled, pouring a dark, rich espresso. "Try this. If it doesn't wake you up, nothing will."
He laughed softly. "Then I'll come back for another one tomorrow."
And he did.
Every morning, same seat, same smile, same rain.
At first, it was small talk—coffee, weather, university. Then, it became more—dreams, fears, stories. He told her he was studying law but wasn't sure if he was good enough. She told him she missed her father and was afraid to lose the shop he left her.
Somehow, they both felt a little lighter after every conversation.
Weeks passed. The shop felt warmer when he was there. She caught herself looking toward the window before opening, hoping to see his reflection outside.
Then one rainy afternoon, he came in quietly, holding a small paper bag.
"Close your eyes," he said.
She did.
He slipped something onto her wrist—a simple silver bracelet with a small coffee bean charm.
"For luck," he whispered. "For new beginnings."
When she opened her eyes, he looked nervous. "You once said you stopped believing in them. Maybe this will help you start again."
For a moment, the world slowed. The sound of the rain, the smell of coffee, the warmth between them—it all felt right.
She smiled. "You know," she said softly, "you've made this place feel alive again."
He smiled back. "And you've made my mornings worth waking up for."
They didn't need big promises or perfect words.
Sometimes love doesn't shout—it whispers.
It begins with kindness, grows with time, and stays forever in the smallest of moments—
like a cup of coffee shared on a rainy morning.
Stay tuned… the next chapter of Maya and Karim's story is just around the corner. ☕💕