“Aya, 2 coffees, please,” Zidan’s booming voice filled the cafe as he arrived right on time at 5 o’clock, his usual routine. It reminded me of my dad, who would always announce his arrival at home with a similar declaration, ‘I’m home, need tea,’ every single day. Perhaps this cafe felt like home to Zidan, just as it did to me.
The interior of the cafe exuded a cozy, homely atmosphere, adorned with various antique pieces scattered around every corner. The predominant brown theme complemented our uniform, which, despite my initial dislike, had grown on me over time. It was comfortable and familiar, much like the ambiance of the cafe itself.
I quickly prepared two cups of coffee and made my way over to Zidan’s table. My work for the day was already completed, thanks to my new shift from 8:30 to 4:30, a change I had requested and my manager had thankfully approved. Now, I could devote my evenings to giving Zidan his MBA lessons from 5:30 to 7:30, without any interruptions. Everything was falling into place perfectly.
The College Theft and Its Rewards
With each sip of coffee, our conversation brewed into something addictive, like a shot of caffeine straight to the brain.
“Today, the college was buzzing with drama. Someone swiped the question paper, and suddenly the place turned into a circus. You know Albert, right? The big cheese, chairman of the college! He was fuming. Kept going on about how he won’t tolerate any crime business on his turf. All eyes were on him, especially his rival group. Honestly, it smells like a classic revenge plot. Rumors are flying faster than a caffeinated squirrel. And get this, he’s dangling a 25K reward for anyone who snitches on the thief,” Zidan animatedly recounted, glancing around to make sure we weren’t being overheard.
I reassured him with a mental nod, “Relax, it’s just us coffee aficionados here.”
He grinned, flashing his pearly whites, “If anyone caught wind of this, they’d probably cook up a whole conspiracy theory. College students, right? It’s like everyone’s chugging down extra shots of brain to prove something to someone.”
College chit-chat is common, something you just have to go through. It’s all giggles and chuckles until it veers into “uh-oh” territory.
Meanwhile, I was mentally tallying up that sweet 25K reward. A TV for the family, a fridge and grinder for mom—heck, maybe even a little treat for myself. The possibilities were endless.
Albert was a familiar face at the cafe, often seen with his posse. We’d exchange polite smiles, but that was the extent of our interaction. As a waitress, smiling was practically in the job description. After all, no smiles meant no tips!
Albert’s Request: A Chance for Easy Cash
“Now I get why Albert looked like a storm cloud today,” I whispered to Zidan.
“Look, here comes Albert,” Zidan nudged me, nodding towards the entrance. “He’s coming over.”
I turned. Sure enough, Albert stomped over like a bulldozer. He wasn’t exactly skinny, but he had this imposing aura. I always imagined him as the guy who could take down a whole gang with one look.
“Hey,” he greeted, his gaze flicking over to me. Before I could even say a word, his attention shifted to Zidan, and he launched into conversation, grabbing a chair beside me like he owned the place and our table. “Hey Zidan, you heard about the college fiasco, right? Someone swiped the papers. If you know anything, or anyone, hit me up. Got my number, right? We’ll nab ’em in three days.”
I managed a feeble “Hi” before Albert steamed ahead.
Zidan, ever the smooth talker, chimed in, “Yeah, crazy stuff. Who’d dare to pull off something like that?”
“We’ve got a list of suspects,” Albert said, lowering his voice, then turned back to me. “Listen, I need a favor. If you catch wind of anyone blabbing about the papers or acting shady, give me a heads up. My reputation’s on the line here.”
“Sure thing,” I agreed, taking his number and mentally counting the reward money. The thought of it made my heart do a little happy dance. This easy cash could solve all sorts of problems. As they continued their conversation, I silently prayed, “Oh God, show me that thief and hand over the cash. Mom’s been dreaming of a TV and fridge forever. Please make it happen.”
Amidst the chaos of everyday life, it’s those quiet prayers that shout our dreams, big and small.
The Suspicious Customer
“Let’s dive into our lessons; we’ve already lost an hour,” I said to Zidan.
Teaching him the concept was a breeze. When I’m immersed in a topic like that, it’s like I’m in another world. Maybe that’s why people seem to grasp things better from me when I’m genuinely enjoying myself. My teacher once told me that when you’re passionate about what you do, the people you’re helping can’t help but feel it too.
After the lesson, Zidan took off, leaving me with some final tasks to wrap up.
“One coffee, please,” a tall guy with a beard tied into a ponytail strolled in.
My shift was done, but my colleague needed a hand, so I reluctantly agreed to serve him. As I handed over the coffee, I caught sight of the paper in his hand—it was the stolen question paper! Albert had briefed me on the questions before he left, and there they were, clear as day. So, this guy was the thief. But he was a new face here; I’d never seen him in the cafe before.
I wasted no time. I dialed Albert’s number and relayed the situation.
“Get a picture of him first, and try to keep him there for the next 30 minutes. I’m stuck in traffic, but I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Albert instructed.
I agreed, but keeping him around for half an hour seemed impossible. He looked like a quick coffee drinker. I discreetly snapped some photos, but my colleague caught me in the act.
“Your taste is terrible,” she remarked, eyeing the guy.
I made a face but stayed mum. I didn’t want to split the reward money, and more importantly, I didn’t want the thief to bolt. My gaze remained fixed on him as he finished up and headed for the door.
My mind raced. How could I stop him from leaving?
The people who enters into our lives are as unpredictable as the swinging cafe door; you never know who’ll stroll in next. But who sticks around? That’s a whole different tale.
8 lessons you can learn from this chapter
- Home Is Where the Coffee Is: Just like Aya and Zidan found comfort in their routine at the cafe, sometimes the most unexpected places can feel like home. Whether it’s your favorite coffee shop or a cozy corner of your room, embrace the little moments that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
- Timing Is Everything: Aya’s shift change allowed her to balance her work and personal life seamlessly. It’s a reminder that sometimes a small adjustment in your schedule can make a world of difference. So, don’t be afraid to speak up and make changes that benefit your well-being and productivity.
- Expect the Unexpected: From stolen question papers to unexpected rewards, life is full of surprises. Aya and Zidan’s cafe conversations remind us to roll with the punches and embrace the unexpected twists and turns that come our way. Who knows? You might just stumble upon a golden opportunity while sipping your morning coffee!
- Trust Your Gut Instincts: Just like Aya, sometimes you’ll encounter situations that don’t quite add up. Whether it’s a suspicious customer or a strange turn of events, trust your instincts and take action. Who knows? You might just uncover something unexpected!
- Stay Resourceful in Sticky Situations: When faced with a dilemma, it’s essential to think on your feet and get creative. Aya’s quick thinking and discreet photo-snapping skills showed us that even in the most challenging situations, there’s always a solution waiting to be found.
- Embrace the Unexpected: Life is full of surprises, just like the tall guy who walked into the cafe with a stolen question paper. Instead of letting unexpected events throw you off course, embrace them as opportunities for growth and adventure. After all, you never know what—or who—might stroll through that swinging cafe door next!
- Appearances Can Be Deceiving: Albert may have seemed intimidating at first, but underneath his tough exterior, he was just trying to do what was right for the college. It’s a reminder not to judge a book by its cover and to give people a chance to show their true colors.
- Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Albert’s request for assistance showed the power of teamwork in tackling challenges. By working together and sharing information, they increased their chances of catching the culprit and resolving the college fiasco. It’s a valuable lesson in collaboration and collective problem-solving.