CHAPTER 3 - The beach cafe
503 Words
The days passed quickly, and before Maya knew it, a week had gone by.
Every morning, she tied on her apron at Seabreeze Café, greeted customers with a smile, and hurried between tables carrying trays of coffee, sandwiches, and freshly baked pastries.
By the end of each shift, she was tired—but happy.
One sunny afternoon, the bell above the café door jingled.
Maya didn't need to look up to know who it was.
"One iced coffee and a blueberry muffin?" she guessed with a smile.
Noah laughed.
"Am I becoming predictable already?"
"A little."
"Then surprise me."
Maya tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"How about our homemade lemonade and a slice of lemon cake?"
"I trust your judgment."
A few minutes later, Maya placed the order on his table.
"So?" she asked.
Noah took a bite of the cake.
His eyes widened.
"Okay... this might be the best cake I've ever had."
Maya laughed.
"I'll tell the baker. She'll be happy to hear that."
As Noah enjoyed his lunch, he looked through the photos on his camera.
"What are you working on?" Maya asked during her break.
"A photo collection called Summer at Azure Bay."
"Can I see?"
"Of course."
She sat across from him as he scrolled through hundreds of photographs—waves crashing against the shore, children flying kites, colourful boats, and glowing sunsets.
"They're beautiful," Maya said.
"Thanks."
She paused on one photo.
It showed a girl standing on the beach, watching the ocean.
Her hair was blowing gently in the wind.
"Wait..." Maya said. "That's me."
Noah rubbed the back of his neck, looking slightly embarrassed.
"I took it the day we met."
"You didn't tell me."
"I wasn't sure if you'd mind."
Maya studied the picture again.
Instead of feeling uncomfortable, she smiled.
"I actually like it."
"Really?"
"It reminds me of my first day here."
Noah smiled with relief.
"I'm glad."
Just then, Maya's manager called from behind the counter.
"Maya! Could you help with table six, please?"
"I'm coming!"
She stood up.
"I'll see you after work?"
"I'll be here."
That evening, when the café closed, Noah was waiting outside with two ice creams.
"For all your hard work," he said, handing one to Maya.
"You didn't have to."
"I know."
They walked slowly along the beach as the sky turned shades of gold and pink.
"So," Noah asked, "what do you want to do after university?"
Maya looked out at the sea.
"I've always dreamed of owning a café."
He smiled.
"I can picture it already."
"And you?"
"I want my photographs to be in magazines... maybe even exhibitions around the world."
"I'm sure they will be."
Noah looked at her and smiled.
"And when that happens, you'll be the first person I tell."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The waves rolled gently onto the shore, and the evening breeze carried the scent of the ocean.
Neither Maya nor Noah noticed it yet, but their friendship was quietly becoming something much deeper.
- Writer
