[2] Customer of table no.8

◔ Maze ◔

I quickly prepared the coffee and went to attend the customer of  table no. 8.

I slowly and very carefully opened the glass door and stepped out of the kitchen and close the door behind me.

I was scared as a cup of coffee was on my hand, what if I break them. I already had broken a set of cups a while ago and I don't want to add up to my mistakes, not for now at least.

As I stepped out, all the eyes were on me. Not because I am beautiful or my beauty overpowered them. Rather it was because of my dirty and rumpled state. Coffee stains were on my dress, my hair was unkempt and cream was on my cheek. I was looking like a garbage bin.

Avoiding Fred's threatening glare and the customer's sarcastic chuckle, I slowly moved towards the table no.8. The table was taken over by an old couple.

I placed the coffee on the table and bowed my head. I let out a sigh of relief as I was able to deliver the order without any fuss, at least I didn't break anything this time.

The old man smiled staring at the cup of coffee curving his dry lips up, it seemed like he didn't notice me at all. But the old woman shifted her head to accept my greetings.

I started at them before moving to the next table. They were two people yet ordered only one coffee.

They seemed poor to me and maybe they were celebrating their golden jubilee of being together. I guessed that seeing the wishing line they asked me to write on their coffee.

*Love me fifty years more*

I placed another cup of coffee on the next table and deliberately stand a bit longer near their table to eavesdrop the old couple's word.

The wife was denying to have the coffee as it was really expensive. But the man held her hand and persuaded her with love to accept and drink the coffee.

I secretly peeped at them, the woman was having the coffee with tears in her eyes, while the man was staring at her with adoration.

They were really cute couples. I was startled seeing their love towards each other even at this age.

The lady of the table no. 9 was angry with me as she had to wait over thirty minutes to get the coffee. I continuously apologized bowing my head.

But she was still reprimanding at me as my apology was not enough sincere for her to consider. Because my mind was lingering over the couple of table no.8. Something inside me was urging me to help them to celebrate their happy moment pompously.

After scolding me over 10 minutes finally, she calmed down and was about to add a spoon of sugar on her cup, but I hastily picked up the cup without letting her a chance to complain, bowing my head, I apologize before walking back to the table no. 8.

She was staring at me with her wide open perplexed eyes.

I whispered to my colleague Jesha's ear to ask her to do something and moved to the table no. 8. She stared at me for a while before acting on what I had asked her to do.

I gave her an assuring look stating "I know what I was doing." She sighed and patted my shoulder before moving out of my way.

I placed another cup of coffee on the table no.8, the old couples gave me a confused look, which I replied with a soft smile and said, "Sir, it was a gift from us to your 50th anniversary"

But the woman seemed caught my thought and before they could say anything, the melodious song that was flooding over the speaker got replaced by a jolly female voice of Jesha.

"Please cheer for the Couple among us celebrating their 50th anniversary of the table no. 8 " The whole cafe was clapping for them.

That couple along with my boss Fred got confused as they weren't understanding what and why was all this happening.

"And now this song will be played for them" Jesha added

Some along with the customer of table no.9 who was rejected by me, asked them to dance. Even I insisted them to dance.

Eventually, they got up and danced for a while, lightly shaking themselves to the beat of the song.

"Perfect" by Ed Sheeran was overwhelming the whole cafe.

|| I found a love for me

Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead

Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet

Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark

With you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass

Listening to our favorite song

When you said you looked a mess

I whispered underneath my breath

But you heard it,

Darling, you look perfect tonight ||

I didn't notice some customers went live on Instagram which was going to make me a social media sensation over a few minutes.

As they were finished dancing the whole cafe got flooded with whistles, clapping, and cheering for them.

They sat on their chair for a while to catch on their breath. They were panting heavily.

And after gasping for few more times they stood and turned to me with tears in their eyes and took me in a warm hug.

The old woman helped me to clean my face with a paper napkin and bless me to be happy in my life.

I got to know that the old man was a poor driver and they never wished to celebrate their anniversary like this. And because of me, his wish to give an expensive treat to his wife has been fulfilled today.*

I smiled and bowed down politely.

I even refused to accept any money from them. They hug me again before leaving.

And my customer from table no. 9, smiled at me and tipped me some heavy amount.

As all were calmed down, my side face got hit by a burning glare from my boss Fred.

I lowered my head while moving to the counter preparing myself to bear the blow I was about to get.

Jesha moved by my side and patted me" You are a dead beef" She groaned with her hand moving to her throat motioning me "I was really dead this time".

I sighed and paid the coffee bills with the tip I got from the customer of the table no. 9.

I don't mind getting scold a bit, after all, it's worth it.