Dearest 02
02 Coffee
tatsuya
He was a young thing; a glint of determination in his eyes as he steamed the milk to ensure its creamy texture, a sharp slash for a mouth surrounded by skin as soft as snow, black hair styled and parted to guarantee good eyesight.
He reminded me of my younger brother’s best friend, when I met him only last year.
I sat at the counter, idly twisting the band of silver around my finger. It irritated me that the band of silver itself cost me much more than I had expected - my freedom.
“Order?”
My thoughts taper off and I revert my attention to the boy; yes, he is a boy, and I am a man. His eyes captivate me, and for once, I am lost for words.
“What do you recommend?”
The boy scratched his chin, clearly averting his eyes from mine. Was I too old? Did I look too old?
“Do you like strong coffee, or light?”
My partner never took me out to restaurants and cafes anymore, so I had to make do with coffee by my lonesome self. However, I was still unsure with which coffee was what.
“… something creamy?”
I notice a spark of amusement in his eyes as I sit there, oblivious to all the possible ways to drink coffee.
“What about a latte?”
Which one was that? It troubled me that a man like myself didn’t know the difference between each drink, causing my lips to unconsciously pout.
“Which one is the latte?”
Maybe I should go home. I obviously didn’t belong in this environment, and every soft words the boy spoke made me react in ways I did not wish to think about.
“It’s the creamy one with the dense layer of froth.”
If I return back to the house, however, it would be worse - I would go insane, or even try to commit suicide. He has made my house - my home - a cage.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts.
“Maybe the one with chocolate on top?”
I remember having that particular drink once, if only vaguely.
“The cappuccino?”
I smile.
“Yes. That one.”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his, and I knew that from that point onwards, I had damned this boy to hell.
My best friend never did approve of out relationship. He said all relationships needed time, and I told him that 5 years was enough.
“He’s a year younger than you!” he reminded me on a daily basis, and I would frown with annoyance.
“Stop telling me that.”
He would shrug, and sip some no-fat-shed-kilos-fast shake.
“It’s true though, and you can’t run from the truth.”
“He keeps me company, Nakamaru.”
“Something that your boyfriend should be doing.”
I smile.
“But you are right, It is something that my boyfriend should be doing - so why isn’t he?”
Nakamaru would sit there, lost for words.
I rested my chin in my hands and graced him with a smile I usually reserved for Ryo.
“I love him, Nakamaru. Be happy for me.”