The evening shift
1474 Words
By the time Mina reached the cafe that evening, the familiar scent of roasted coffee beans was already drifting out through the glass doors and into the chilly Seoul air.
It had been a little over a month since she started working there.
A month of early lectures, late assignments, cultural adjustments, and learning how to navigate life in a city that never seemed to slow down. The days were often overwhelming, but the cafe had slowly become one of the few places where Mina felt… steady.
Not completely at home, but comfortable enough to breathe.
She pushed open the door and the small bell above it chimed softly.
“Ah! Mina!” a cheerful voice called from behind the counter.
Mr. Park, the cafe manager, stood behind the espresso machine, wiping his hands on a towel.
“You’re early today.”
Mina smiled politely and bowed her head slightly, a habit she had picked up since arriving in Korea.
“Good evening, Mr. Park.”
“Classes finished early?”
“Yes,” she replied, slipping off her coat and hanging it on the small rack near the staff area. “My professor ended the lecture sooner than expected.”
“Good,” Mr. Park said approvingly. “You can help Hana prepare the pastry display.”
Mina nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
She tied the black apron around her waist and stepped behind the counter, immediately greeted by the warm, comforting atmosphere she had grown fond of.
The cafe wasn’t large, but it had character.
Soft jazz music played quietly in the background, wooden tables filled the room, and warm yellow lights hung from the ceiling, casting a gentle glow over everything.
The large windows allowed customers to watch the evening streets of Seoul while sipping their drinks.
Students, office workers, and sometimes couples came here to escape the fast pace of the city.
For Mina, it was more than just a workplace, It was proof that she could survive here.
“You look tired,” Hana said, sliding a tray of croissants onto the display shelf.
Hana was a university student like Mina, though she studied marketing. She had started working at the café long before Mina arrived and had quickly become one of the friendliest people Mina knew.
“I am a little,” Mina admitted with a small laugh.
“Fashion department... I hear those students never sleep.”
Hana shook her head dramatically.
“That is starting to feel true.”
They both laughed quietly.
Mina carefully arranged the pastries, making sure each one looked presentable.
Croissants, almond tarts, strawberry danishes, Mr. Park was very particular about presentation.
“Lucien hasn’t come by recently,” Hana said casually.
Mina glanced up. Lucien.
Just hearing his name made her smile slightly.
It had been him who introduced her to the cafe job in the first place.
About two weeks ago, during lunch at the university cafeteria, he had casually mentioned that his cousin knew the owner of a small cafe near campus.
“You need a job, yes?” he had asked, leaning back in his chair.
Mina had sighed.
“Yes.”
Between tuition supplies, transportation, and daily expenses, her scholarship covered most things, but not everything.
And Mina hated asking her parents for extra money.
“I can introduce you,” Lucien had said simply.
“Really?”
“Of course. Besides, I get free coffee if you work there.”
Mina had rolled her eyes.“You are unbelievable...But useful.”
A week ago, she had walked into the cafe for the first time.
And somehow… she never left.
“Lucien came yesterday,” Hana continued.
“Really?”
“Yes. He asked if you were working.”
Mina frowned slightly, “Did he?”
Hana gave her a playful look.
“Should I be jealous?”
Mina nearly dropped a plate.
“What? No!”
Hana burst into laughter.
“I’m joking!”
Mina shook her head, smiling.
“He’s just my friend.”
“A very charming friend, That’s just his personality.”
“Hmm,” Hana hummed knowingly.
Before Mina could reply, the café door opened again.
Several customers stepped inside.
“Ah,” Mr. Park said. “Evening rush.”
The next hour passed quickly.
Orders came and went.
“Two iced americanos!”, “One caramel latte!”, “Green tea cake, please.”
Mina moved quickly between the counter and the tables, her hands learning the rhythm of the job.
Take order, prepare drink, serve customer, smile, bow.
Repeat.
Sometimes the Korean language still tripped her up, but she had improved a lot over the past weeks.
And customers seemed to appreciate her effort.
“Your Korean is very good,” one elderly woman told her kindly.
“Thank you,” Mina replied with a grateful smile.
Moments like that made the hard days worth it.
By 8 p.m., the café was calmer again.
Hana leaned against the counter.
“I swear the entire university comes here after sunset.”
“Free Wi-Fi,” Mina said.
“True.”
She wiped down one of the tables near the window.
Outside, the neon lights of Seoul flickered against the dark sky.
Cars passed, people hurried along sidewalks.
Even after a month, the city still amazed her.
Back home in Nigeria, evenings felt different, warmer, and more familiar.
Here, everything felt bigger and faster.
But not necessarily lonely anymore.
She had Sofia, Lucien, Hana and even Mr. Park, in his strict but kind way.
Little pieces of belonging were forming around her and she was grateful.
At 8:30 p.m., the café door opened again.
Lucien stepped inside.
As usual, he looked effortlessly stylish.
A long coat, messy hair, that relaxed confidence he seemed to carry everywhere.
“Mina!” he called dramatically.
Several customers looked up.
Mina sighed.
“Must you announce my name like that?”
Lucien grinned and approached the counter. “Of course.”
“You are embarrassing.”
“It is part of my charm.”
Hana leaned closer to Mina and whispered loudly; “He’s definitely in love with you.”
Her eyes widened.
“Hana!”
Lucien laughed.
“I heard that.”
“You were supposed to,” Hana said proudly.
Mina covered her face briefly.
“I am surrounded by impossible people.”
Lucien placed his elbow on the counter.
“One cappuccino, please. Made by the most talented designer in Korea.”
“You flatter too much, But it works sometimes.”
Mina prepared his drink anyway.
As she placed it in front of him, he lowered his voice slightly.
“How are you doing, really?”
The question was simple but sincere.
Mina considered it.
“Tired,” she admitted, “But happy.”
Lucien nodded.
“That is good.”
He glanced around the café.
“You’ve gotten faster.”
“I had to.”
Mr. Park appeared beside them suddenly.
“She is one of my best workers.”
Mina blinked in surprise.
Mr. Park rarely gave compliments.
Lucien raised his eyebrows.
“Impressive.”
Mina smiled shy.
“Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Park walked away again as quickly as he had appeared.
Lucien took a sip of his cappuccino.
“You see?” he said.
“See what?”
“You are building your life here.”
Mina followed his gaze toward the café window, the busy streets, the glowing lights, the unfamiliar city that was slowly becoming less unfamiliar.
“Yes,” she said softly,“I think I am.”
Closing time arrived around 10 p.m.
The last customers left.
Chairs were stacked and tables wiped.
Lights dimmed.
Mina untied her apron with a tired sigh.
“My feet hurt,” she admitted.
Hana laughed.
“Welcome to café life.”
Lucien stretched dramatically in his chair.
“I watched you work very hard.”
“You watched me work?”
“Yes.”
“And did nothing?”
“Support is important.”
Mina threw a napkin at him and he caught it easily.
When Mina finally stepped outside the café, the cool night air brushed gently against her face.
Lucien and Hana walked beside her for a short distance before turning toward their own directions.
“See you tomorrow!” Hana said.
“Don’t work too hard!” Lucien added.
Mina waved.
Then she began walking toward the dorms alone.
The streets were quieter now, but still glowing.
A month ago, she had walked these same streets feeling unsure and small.
Now? She walked with a little more confidence and a little more purpose.
Life in Korea wasn’t easy.
But it was beginning to feel like the future she had come searching for.
And Mina Adeyemi had no intention of turning back.
- Writer
