The coffee shop was busy as always with people from all walks of life chattering about their life, their jobs, the latest headlines. Some quietly perusing the newspaper while waiting for their orders. Some staring out the window, a thick curtain of cigarette smoke surrounds them, alone with their thoughts. I wasn't interested in any of them as I observed them from the waitress station. I impatiently fiddled with my apron and wondered if she will come today. I worried my bottom lip and shifted my weight from one foot to the other. Of course she'll come today, I chastised myself. Its sunday after all. She always comes on a sunday to check out the paper. But it was raining and I knew she didn't like the rain much.
I know because I have spent almost a year watching her, eversince she stepped in the coffee shop that summer night. I remember so clearly, almost as if it only happened yesterday. She took my breathe away that day when I looked up and saw her; her hair reflecting the light from the overhead lamps, her expression giving away nothing of her thoughts as she took a seat nearest the window. I remember her light blouse ruffling with the light breeze as she smoked her cigarette in contemplation.

She was always alone but she never seemed lonely. As if, she preferred it that way. I've always wanted to know why, to solve the mystery that is her.

I never had the courage though to strike up a conversation although I knew she was very accomodating, an easy smile always on her lips when she orders her coffee. I remember when a coworker had a light talk with her about why she prefers her coffee black, it helped her think, she said. I smiled at the memory of how I harrassed my coworker every detail of that conversation. I was so envious, I thought I was going to die. I wish she would hurry. I had a feeling today would be different. Today, I would really know her. Not just from afar. No, today I would... I would... I sighed. I don't know. Geez, I could be such an idiot sometimes.
Before I worked myself up to a frenzy and shredded my apron, she entered the shop with her usual quiet grace, brushing off errant drops of rain off her. I realized I had been holding my breathe and released with a whoosh while hurrying to her with her usual cup of coffee. Black. Just the way she likes it.

"Hi. Uh, Saya-san" I stammered with a polite smile.

"Hi there. Thank you" she smiled warmly.

"I noticed Saya-san doesn't have an umbrella. Sa-Saya-san shouldn't get wet, Saya-san will get ill." I held my breathe. I didn't know where that came from. I usually just give her her coffee and leave, content with watching her from my post. I felt my face get hot. God, I must look like a talking tomato right now.
She laughed quietly as she tugged at her pitch black ponytail. "No need to worry about me Mana-chan. I'm fine. Its just a light drizzle. Nothing but a hot cup of coffee wouldn't fix." She nodded at the coffee cup I still held in my hands.

"Oh! Oh, right!" If it was possible I blushed even more, placing the cup on the table.

"Mana-chan is so cute, with that blush you could warm up the whole shop." She smiled, taking out her cigarettes and delicately lighting one between her pink lips.

"Saya-san..!"

Her expression grew thoughtful as she took a small drag from her cigarette, looking out the window. I must've overstayed my welcome and was about to leave when she grabbed my wrist. "Why today Mana-chan? You never spoke more than 3 words to me before..." A small smile.
That was when it hit me. She called me by my name. I never gave it to her. She spoke my name so affectionally and naturally I haven't noticed until now. Her hold on my wrist was warm and firm. I stuttered and stammered non-words, looking like a complete idiot in front of her.
She flicked her eyes at me and caught my line of sight. Oh wow, her gaze was so deep. I felt like I was drowning in those warm gray orbs she called eyes. I must have been and eternity or a few seconds of me standing like a fool when she let my wrist go and picked up her coffee.

"Mana-chan? Maybe you could ask your superviser if you could take a break and sit by me." She said before she daintily sipped her coffee. "I would love to get to know you more than your name."

I have officially died and have gone to heaven. I held on the table to keep myself from fainting out of sheer joy.

"Saya-san..."

"Saya would be fine. just Saya." Her fingers trailed up my arm, her eyes drawing me closer. How does her gaze seem to deepen so? Like an invitation to something unknown...

"Go, ask for that break Mana-chan." Her smile widened. She flicked my arm lightly with ther forefinger.

"Right, yeah, ah, ok..." I laughed sheepishly as I backed off, hurrying to my supervisors station.

***
My supervisor, Ms. Rokojou, seemed to be in a good mood or she caught wind of my not-so-hidden infatuation for our regular customer since she agreed in wink about my break. Usually, she scoffs and growls for us to go back to work.
Before I turned to hurry back to Saya-san, Ms. Rokojou actually wished me luck. Geez, I must be so obvious, like, I surpassed the expression "an open book".
Still muttering about my being such an idiot, I nearly passed by the table where Saya-san was sitting except...
"Mana-chan, where are you going?" Her sweet voice broke through my self-loathing haze. Again, me equals idiot.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention." I grinned, sliding on the seat opposite her if to only gawk at her more.
"So cute." She returned my grin, placing her hand on top of mine.
***

Best. Break. Ever.