A COFFEE SHOP I RECENTLY VISITED

The rich, bitter scent of freshly ground coffee beans greets me as I enter the coffee shop. For a moment, the light from a metallic table almost blinds me. The shop's splendid, lively lighting catches my attention as I cross the parking garage. My heart fills with gratitude to be free of the cold outside. The sun heats the chair and it becomes welcoming and cozy to sit in. The cafe's interior is rather pleasant and appealing, creating a serene environment. Everything is beautifully designed. Small wooden tables and chairs with vintage-style umbrella decorations can be found within the cafe, along with attractive, plush sofas next to the tables. On the table are stands containing paper napkins, sugar, and salt. To ensure its customers’ privacy, each table in the shop kept a safe distance from one another. Wooden cases with some images and photos are positioned around the walls. In addition, the sound of the calm jazz piano playing in the background relaxes my ears. Not to mention, the coffee shop's lighting design is highly vibrant, which undoubtedly contributes to the place's eerie atmosphere. Apart from that, everything appears to be perfectly clean and shiny. I search the area for a waitress so I can order my favorite espresso. She wobbles in a miniskirt and top, with a phoney smile glued on her face. She takes out a pencil from behind her ear and goes through the usual questions she has for each person that comes into the café. Between each word, she makes a loud chewing noise. I place my order and exhale deeply. As I walk around the store, I get a whiff of the delicious aroma of coffee beans being brewed. Even before I got my steaming cup of coffee in my hands, I could nearly taste it. My nose is deeply pervaded by the coffee's aroma, and I want to take a deep inhale to savour the energising and rejuvenating scent. The air fills with the enticing aromas of grilled sandwiches. The food here looks to be equally delectable and tempting, especially the salted caramel cheesecake and the garlic-roasted bread. There are also a variety of beverages to try, ranging from cold to hot. I particularly enjoy the ice-blended Frappuccino with cream on top. Other food items available include cake, sausages, and bagels. The soothing sounds of dishes and flatware, sizzler, or popping popcorn are comforting. The aromas of sweet and sour sensations fills the nostrils and my mouth waters. I find it extremely intriguing to observe some young people discussing a political issue in one corner, three students practising painting in another, and also an old couple sipping caffè macchiato. The birds outside the café fly in from all sides in search of a stray crumb to eat. There are pigeons fighting and pecking all over the pavement for what might or might not even be food. Giggling with delight, kids rush at them as they flutter out into the air, leaving their food behind. My thoughts are interrupted by the sounds of the traffic. Delivering lorries rattle and crash as the drivers carelessly unload their goods. My nose is filled with the pungent smell of engine fumes. The streets seem to be growing busier. In contrast, the cafe feels relaxed.