It was a cold, dark, rainy night. I have very unfortunately misplaced my wallet and my umbrella, and I'm simply walking along, wet and cold, through the rain to see if any kind soul would lend me a dollar for my bus fare. For this sort of weather, it was the perfect setting for a horror film. I looked at my watch, and to my dismay, the second hand went "tick", and it was midnight.
Sighing, I continued walking and asking any passerby for a dollar, but in Singapore, nobody would ever lend you a dollar at midnight. I didn't stop walking though, willing myself to believe that one kind soul will lend me some money. Walking in the dark, I saw the lights of a shabby Café signboard flickering. "Café Barista" I read out loud. The shop looked closed, all the lights inside were out. I have walked past this shop many times, I know that there were hardly any people who visited this Café. In the fast pace of our working lives, most people wouldn't know this place existed. I was about to walk past it when suddenly a young lady, possibly in her twenties, swing open the doors of the Café and upon seeing me, exclaimed "Don't just stand there! Come in! You're all wet and cold come on in I'll make you a cup of coffee." And she ushered me inside.
I put my very soaked jacket on the heating vent as she instructed, and she lent me some of her clothing to wear while waiting for mine to dry. She made me a strong cup of Caffe Americano as I sat and watched the rain pour down outside. I saw her disappear inside the changing room but a few minutes later she came out, wearing her uniform. "My name's May, what's your's?" She stuck a hand out for me to shake. "I'm Alice. Thanks for letting me come in here." I replied, shaking her hand. "You're welcome. I just didn't want to see someone walking out in the rain like that. What happened?" May asked, and I told her the tale of how I lost my wallet and how my cellphone died and that I didn't have an umbrella. "I see, poor you. Is anything the matter? Why were you even out so late?" She asked again. I'm pretty sure May was just trying to make conversation, but I hoped I wasn't taking out any of her time. "I have night school. I work at a coffee shop over at the other end. It doesn't pay very well, so I'm trying to get a job interview." I was wondering why I just spilled out one of my greatest worries out to her. She was a complete stranger, and yet... "I know how you feel. It took me a while to get this job here, but it's pretty good to work here." May stared out of the window. I took a sip of the coffee. It warmed me up quite quickly and it was by far one of the best brews I tried before. "Am I troubling you? You look like you're about to leave the shop." I asked. "Oh, no! Not at all! I live upstairs, so it gets a little lonely here but at least I get free access to breakfast and morning coffee." May said, and even though she said something about being 'lonely', she didn't sound sad in the least. Her voice had this bubbly and cheerful ring to it that made me like her immediately. "You know, if you're looking for a job, you can do an interview here. We're currently lacking people ever since our best worker resigned." May said, smiling at me. Surprised, I stared at her for a while before replying "I would love to!" May gave a little cheer and said "Yay! Welcome to Café Barista! Where all our workers are fun and insane!" She laughed, and I had to laugh too. The coffee was great, and her company made me wish I didn't need to go home to my lonely apartment.
My clothes were dry after a while, and May lent me an umbrella. But before I left she placed a few coins in my hands, asking me to take care on the bus ride home. It didn't take a genius to realize those were her tips, and before I refused she giggled and said "See you tomorrow morning!" And shoved me out the door. Really, what kind of person does that? But very quickly, May became my friend.
The interview went smoothly. Due to my job experience their boss hired me on the spot and I could start work that day. The boss was a cheerful and kind middle-aged man. He was also quite a humorous man and liked to joke around sometimes. He also played the piano. To my surprise the pay was way better than the one at the coffee shop down the road, and I must say getting free access to coffee was great.
I'm glad I met May. That night in the rain automatically made us best friends.
So now, I live upstairs with May too. I gave up on the apartment. Until we both find a suitable house together, we'll keep living in the Café. But I think we might just live there until the day that this business ends. Why? Well, if it's raining heavily, and you're wet and cold and have no money for a bus fare, we'll be there. We'll make you a cup of Caffe Americano, and we'll keep you company until your clothes dry. Then we'll give you some money for a ride home. Don't worry, you won't be troubling us.
And if you need a job, welcome to the Barista Team. Have fun working here, we're insane.
Oh, and by the way, my name's Alice. I'm dating one of my coworkers who's May's brother. And I must say, he's one of the best people you will ever meet. So have fun working here! Our doors are always open for you.
Even when it's cold and wet.
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