Memory: 5

The sun streamed through the windows onto the kitchen floor. The kitchen was deserted and the house awfully quiet. Tasnim knew she woke up late and suspected her mother went out to the market. She felt bad for not being able to keep her promise yesterday.

Being the only daughter had several advantages. Tasnim was the closest to her mother and they were almost inseparable. Two of her other brothers were already married, leaving only her behind in the house that they grew up in. She had no problem with it as her older brother lived nearby. Hence, help was not far during emergency although she prayed hard that would be unnecessary.

Tasnim took a place at the end of the table, staring right outside the window. There was a buzz of activity outside, blaring horns, chirpinh of the birds and voices of the neighbours. It was just seven in the morning but their neighbours were early risers.

Except her.

Smiling to herself, Tasnim got up towards the stove. She knew that her mother will always have a steady supply of hot water and reached for the coffee in a jar.

Once she touched the jar, Tasnim was transported to a new place.

' Black coffee, please. No sugar no cream, boss,' Adam ordered with the cashier behind the counter. The girl just nodded, as if on auto-pilot. It was before eight in the morning. It was understandable to some that was too early.

Tasnim turned to stare at Adam.

' Just coffee?' Tasnim asked, her eyes wide. She already placed her order of sugarless tea.

' Yes. Why?' Adam answered while staring into her eyes.

' That was what I actually have daily at the office,' Tasnim was surprised. It was rare to find someone who had the same taste. Khalid once complained that Tasnim had a dead tongue because of her penchant of sugarless, cream-free coffee.

' I just don't like the taste of coffee mixed with something else in the morning. Thank you,' Adam reached for their drinks before putting it on a tray. ' There,' he pointed to a direction using his mouth.

' I guess I am just weird like that,' Adam took out their toasts before setting it down on the table.

' Just in the morning? Or..'

' Most of the time just in the morning. Usually, I drink those stuff that we drink at other times.'

Tasnim bit into her toast. She wondered what would Adam say if she said that she was of the same opinion.

' You?' Adam took a spoonful of his porridge.

' Just a kickstart in the morning. I need the extra boost,' she wiped the breadcrumbs on the table.

' Drug addict,' Adam teased.

' Hey! You are no better!'

And Adam laughed. Ouh how she missed that laughter.

Tasnim remembered the first day the started talking but not the first time they met. Apparently, the coffee incident was not the first time that Adam saw her.

‘ He has already been eyeing you for a long time…’