I took a seat and looked around to see groups of different kind. Friends from the nearby university doing what seems to be studying, or as close as studying with friends gets, and a section of the place full of people working by themselves writing down essays, work reports, inquiry letters, who knows? I sure don’t. This place is really booming. I didn’t know there was a cafe near me that was so popular. They all ordered the same drink, must be a special. I keep scanning the place for the woman, but to no avail, she’s not here. The only thing I can do now is pull up the menu to see where I’d waste my money on today.

“Here’s a drink, Sir.” Alice, the waitress from last night, asked.

“Oh thanks” I paused for a moment, staring at the large beverage suspiciously placed in front of me. “Hold on, I haven’t ordered anything yet.”

“Yeah, but this one’s on the house.” She said. Is she treating me because she’s a fan? That gestured flattered me but left me confused as to how I should act on this, I’m thankful but at the same time I really don’t want her to spend for me. I looked up at her, my thoughts apparent from my expression alone.

“Oh, you really don’t have to, I can pay for it.” I insisted. She looked at me a bit surprised.

“Sir. It’s a special today, you really don’t have to. Gotta keep up your energy for when you go ghost hunting, right?” She jokingly replied. Well this explains why everyone has the same drink. I told her the same thing I ordered last night and she went off to work. While left alone, the small misunderstanding I had thinking she bought that drink for me because she’s a fan made me cringe a bit. How pretentious am I? I honestly need to pop the air out my head.

Alice came back with my order. “Here you go.” She chimed as she placed the same cheese burger and sweet potatoes beside the drink I haven’t touched. She didn’t seem to notice it though, or mind for that matter.

“Hey Alice, Can I ask you something?” I blurted out, curiosity crept in, without a second thought. Think before you speak, Ram! I looked around a bit more making sure the woman from before really isn’t here before I ask her.

“Yes?”

“Where is your…umm.” I paused. “Is your boss here?” For some reason, her expression wasn’t as surprised as when I denied the drink she offered. She sighed as her shoulders fell down and relaxed, as if the thing I asked was expected and she was just too tired dealing with it.

“She’s not--” She paused. “No, she barely comes here.” Her tone was dismissive and I felt like I shouldn’t have asked this or, rather, she expected I would ask.

“Yesterday? Those are the rare days she stops by.” She continued.

I felt the excitement exit my body and I feel that the sudden change in my mood was apparent that even Alice would’ve noticed it.

Then she leaned down close enough to whisper something very clearly to me. “But I can help you out if you wanna see her again.”

“What?” I chocked, with all the responses I was expecting, this was not a reply I’d anticipated. I’m was silent for a moment because of how unexpected her sudden offer was. “N-No I was just curious since she seemed like a new face around here.”

“Ram.” Her tone took my full attention. “Can I call you Ram, Sir? If you come back later I could tell you more about it. Right after my shift.” She turned to the counter from way back at the end of the room and swiftly made her way off to work and left me alone to eat up what’s been waiting on my table for a while.

“Oh! One more tip.” She exclaimed as she hurried back and grabbed the drink she offered on the house.

“Helpful tip. Don’t drink this.” Then went off again like the whorl wind of questions she’s made herself out to be. My eyes stayed at the mark of water droplets left by the drink she took.

“Wait! when’s your shift end?” I said, embarrassingly loud since she was at the counter already. Some people turned to look, but continued on with their business and I could already see her coworkers joking about it. She quickly ran back laughing a bit.

“Just come back same time as you did yesterday.” She said as she leaned in closer to continue. “Check your notes, I’m sure you’ll find something.”

My eyes widen in shock. My notes? I’m surprised she knows about the number of notes I leave myself, but I brush past that little details when I hear more chattering from her co-workers. That’s my mistake, I’ll endure this awkward event and finish eating quickly. I ducked my head and faced the other way. I seriously need restraints or at the very least think before I do anything stupid.

I took the cheeseburger and tried to ignore the constant looks her coworkers keep giving me. I stared at the empty table beside me. She was here. Maybe last night really was my only chance to talk to her, so casually at least.