ONCE WE WERE US

A SECOND CHANCE

For a brief moment, the noise of the city seemed to fade away. Kelvin smiled and gave a small wave before continuing down the street. Daisy smiled back without realizing it.

As he disappeared into the crowd,she found herself staring at the door a little longer than she should have.

" Who was that?" her coworker, Grace, asked with a teasing grin.

Daisy quickly looked away.

"Just a customer." Grace laughed softly." If you say so."

Daisy shook her head and returned to serving customers,but somehow the cafe felt different now. The rest of the day passed in a blur .She caught herself glancing at the door everytime the bell rang. Each time, it was someone else. Across the city, Kelvin walked into the office building, still thinking about the cheerful cashier whose smile had brightened his hectic morning.

He chuckled to himself.

"I don't even know her name."

Neither of them knew it then,but fate had quietly begun writing a story that would test their hearts and teach them that the greatest love often begins with the simplest hello.

The following morning, Daisy woke before her alarm. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, wondering why she felt unusually excited to go to work.

Get yourself together," she whispered, laughing softly.

"He is just a customer." Yet his smile lingered in her mind. As she prepared for work, she chose her favorite pair of earrings and carefully tied her hair into a ponytail. It wasn't because she expected to see him again - or so she told herself.

The city was already alive when she arrived at The Garden Brew. The familiar aroma of fresh coffee welcomed her as she slipped on her green apron.

"You are early today." Grace teased. "I couldn't sleep." Grace raised an eyebrow.

"I wonder why."

Daisy rolled her eyes and busied herself arranging pastries. The morning rush soon began. Customers came and went, filling the cafe with cheerful chatter and the sound of clinking cups. Every time the bell above the door rang, Daisy looked up without thinking. Each time, it was someone else.

By lunch time she sighed.

" What am I even expecting?" she murmured.

Just then.........

The bell rang again.She looked up. There he was.

Kelvin.

He smiled the moment he saw her.

"I was hoping you'd be here."

Daisy felt her heart skip a beat but kept her composure. "Welcome back."

"I think your cappuccino yesterday spoiled me." Kelvin said.She laughed.

" That's quite a compliment."

"I only tell the truth."

" Grace quietly slipped away to give them space, smiling to herself.

"The usual?"Daisy asked.

"Actually......yes "

As she prepared his coffee, Kelvin glanced at the display of a homemade cakes.

"Which one do you recommend?"

"The chocolate fudge."

"I'll trust your judgement." A few minutes later, Daisy placed the coffee and cake on a tray.

"There you go."

"Thank you."

Instead of leaving immediately, Kelvin hesitated.

"Would it be okay if I sit here for a while?"

"Of course.You are a customer." He chuckled.

" I was hoping you'd say that,"

He chose a table near the counter, occasionally looking up from his laptop . Daisy tried not to notice.

She failed.

Every now and then their eyes met.Both smiled.Neither looked away too quickly.

When the cafe became quieter in the afternoon, Kelvin walked back to the counter.

"I never introduced myself." He extended his hand."I'm Kelvin." She shook it gently.

"Daisy."

"It's nice to finally know your name."

"You too." For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Kelvin asked,"Do you always work here?"

"Six days a week."

"That sounds exhausting."

"It is sometimes,but I like meeting different people."

"I'm glad you do." She tilted her head.

"Why?"

"Otherwise we probably wouldn't have met." Her cheeks warmed.

Before she could answer, a customer called her name.

"Daisy!"

"I should get back to work."

"Of course." Kelvin smiled.

"I will see you again."

"I hope so."

As he walked toward the door, Daisy watched him leave.This time, she didn't pretend she wasn't watching. Outside, Kelvin couldn't stop smiling.He had only planned to buy coffee. Instead,he found himself looking forward to tomorrow.

Neither of them realized that life was already weaving their paths together. Sometimes,love doesn't arrive with grand speeches or dramatic moments. Sometimes,it begins with shared smiles, warm coffee and the quiet hope of seeing someone again.

And for Daisy and Kelvin,this was only the beginning.