A burst of love

A commemorative cup of coffee

I wheeled my bike along the small path leading to the bar, the aroma of coffee wafting from the filter—not too strong, not too weak. It lingered in my nostrils, subtle. I found it strangely delightful.

Under the canopy of heavily laden roses As a result, we enjoyed coffee and recounted memories of our volunteer trip to the orphanage this morning. The children's clear voices singing "...without eyes, I see life with my heart" filled me with compassion and admiration.

Lost in thought, the staff member approached, greeted me warmly with sign language, and offered me a sweet message: "Wishing you strength and resilience!" I was deeply moved and responded with " I love you!". And just like that, warmth and happiness spread around me.

Watching the golden rays of sunlight filter through the leaves and fall on my feet, I felt each turn of my bicycle wheel become lighter, carrying with it hope amidst this journey through life.

Sipping coffee during my student years, a habit I've shared through life, through illness and infirmity. I've tried many different drinks, but the aroma and flavor of coffee combined with cocoa and milk have always lingered, leaving a lasting impression on me. I'm also strongly impressed by the people here and the coffee, which, despite its bitterness, still retains a lingering sweetness at the bottom of the cup. Wonderful, unforgettable.

The author had coffee at his usual corner cafe.

The cafe doesn't have price tags for tea and coffee; customers leave their satisfaction in a wooden box. That's its unique feature. However, the cafe recently switched to a billable menu to prevent exploitation and losses. Despite the changes in appearance and ambiance, I still choose my usual dishes and sit under the familiar rose bushes every time I visit.

We left, the small cafe nestled under the green pine trees fading into the white mist, but the scent of fond memories, the expressive eyes, and the carefully written words remained etched and anchored in my heart.

(Entry for the "Impressions on Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" contest, part of the "Celebrating Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" program, 2nd edition, 2024, organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper).

Source: https://nld.com.vn/bung-vi-yeu-thuong-196240320105056252.htm