A mysterious place

We fought fiercely. I've used all my strength to weaken it, but to no avail. The ghost is not affected by my strength. 

A man appeared. He pointed the arrow at the ghost. An arrow pierced the ghost and immediately burned it. The ghost was burned to the ground.

I, who was panting because I was almost exhausted, felt grateful for the man's appearance. Who is he? I went to him, but I couldn't see his face. Is he wearing a mask? Not. A beam of light blocked his face. 

"There are a lot of phantom and half-phantom out there that will target your energy, you'd better be careful," he said then turned and walked away.

I tried to chase him but was not chased. I want to know. Who is he? 

The next day, I felt strange about last night's dream. Who is that man? 

Besides, there is still something even stranger because I returned to this place. 

It used to be just an empty house. I remember there was thick Japanese grass in the yard, two mango trees, or more? I don't remember the numbers, just remember there was a big mango tree in the yard. Then about the design of this house. When I look at the front, oh my God, it feels like I saw the old part of the house moving forward, closer to a few meters to the body of the road, or did I remember wrong? No, I'm sure not. I remember, about five years ago, when my eyes were automatically drawn to it, the distance between the body of the road and the entrance of the house was very far. Ah, or is there an optical trick in my eyes?

Now, this place has turned into a café. With the industrial design model, this place becomes different. I went in to see my friend who suddenly asked me to meet her for working together. So, I came with my laptop even though it was Saturday. As usual, Saturday was a busy day. If this friend of mine doesn't take me out, I'll finish my work at home, in a room three by three meters and with simple food, and air coming from the north, often making me get in the wind.

The door I have to pull, I think I should push. So I clumsily crossed the door line. When the whole body came in, the air from the air conditioner flushed my body. My memory instantly locked me with the past.

Five years ago this place was just an empty house, with no cute café chairs, no baristas, and café waiters, no people coming to typing or just share stories at each table. From the outside, this place looks dark, gloomy.

In the past, when I was in this area. I have a wall of rooms that I share with the walls of other people's homes. One day I complained, "People in that house come back at midnight and often they take a night's bath. Have you ever heard of it?" I asked the neighbor. The neighbor's friend in the room was even so scared, she looked at me in astonishment.

"Where's?" she asked.

"That, the owner of that house, the back of our room. The landlord lady said, ``The wall of our room is adjacent to the backyard of the old house."

"But.. the house is empty," she said.

So, what have I heard all this time? Did I mishear?

I often hear of shifted chair activity. I've also heard there's running water that automatically makes me think someone is taking a shower. Now, if I remember that experience again, I get goosebumps. But, yes, forget it, that was about five years ago. This place is no longer an empty house, but a café. I can enjoy my time here with my friends, get work done, and share stories in between typing.

I walked up to the barista's desk. Before I arrived, a waitress approached.

"Welcome," he said in a friendly tone. Behind his mask, I think he smiled, because his clear eyes showed his sincerity.

"Can I find my friend first?"

"Yes, please."

I walked to the right, my friend wasn't there. I walked to the left, my friend was still not there. I opened the door that led to the back room. I didn't see her, I thought she hadn't come. I went back to the front, I placed my bag, jacket, mask, and gloves on the table. Then, I went to the cashier to order. When I saw the mocktail, my smile expanded. I wanted to taste it, but when I saw the price, I let it down. I saw the names of the neatly typed menus there. A barista came up to me.

"Do you want to try coffee or non-coffee?" he asked. His voice is handsome.

I lifted my face. I saw a man, his face small, his eyes sunken in, his hair looked back. The earlobe is clean, from dirt and also from earrings. We didn't meet the eye, so I had a little freedom to observe. I couldn't see him smiling or pouting because he was wearing a mask. Covid-19 changed service procedures. They should be in the community to help prevent the transmission of the virus.

"I've had a coffee, I want another one, but what?"

"We've got lemon tea, oh sorry, we're out of lemons, so maybe in addition to the lemon, there's Mocktail and Ecology Signature, typical of our café," he said, pointing to one by one the menu names. Wrapped in a white ring on his index finger. In that quick look, I got an interesting sight, his fingers long - would I deserve to be pretty too? Maybe it's the ring that enhances that impression.

My ears listened to his voice. A friendly voice is typical of people who do not hesitate to give their best.

Humm, I want a mocktail, but... It's still... I'm wrestling with my own desires. "I tried the signature first," I finally decided.

The barista then used Moka to record and calculate my order.

"Any more?"

"That's it while waiting for my friend," I replied.

"Okay. In total, Rp29,000," he said in a still friendly tone.

I opened my wallet. Take the right money. I gave it to him. He gave me a receipt and a table number. He thanked me and I replied with a thank you note. I had already started to step foot to sit into the chair of choice, but the little name call made me stop and look.

The barista looked at me. Why is he looking at me so?

Then he opened his mask.

"Oh my God!" I couldn't believe it. "Victor?"

He smiled. I haven't seen him in a long time.

"How are you?" I asked him, forgetting that this was a café. I then raised my voice. "Wow... I'm sorry I don't recognize you."

"Yes, no problem. I wear a mask, so it's only natural," he said. "Well, we'll talk next time. I'll make you a drink. It's better now that you go to your desk."

As soon as I realized, this was his place of work. I have to respect him and not get him in trouble. I'm complying.

As I sat in my preferred chair, I saw a message coming into my smartphone. I saw the contents of that message. My friend arrived and she was already sitting in the backyard of this café. So I decided to catch up with her.

Before pulling the door leading to the back garden, I glanced at Victor. I just saw his back body. His back, hips, and both shoulders. In the past, Victor didn't have shoulders that looked as strong as that. He used to be skinny. Now, he seemed very suitable as a barista and he was also taller than he used to be. I actually see stories on Instagram a lot. He's actively going to the gym.

On the way back, I was reminded of my childhood when Victor and I used to do a lot of things together, including reading the One Piece comics when we were in junior high school. I smiled at myself, but other memories made me feel bitter. Why did he do that to me? Is it because he knows I like him? Now I don't think I like it the way I used to and I don't have to worry about the past. What has passed, let it pass. All humans have made mistakes, right?

Now, I've decided to focus on the present. Honestly, I'm happy to see Victor again.

Arriving in the backyard, I easily saw my friend, hooded in green. As soon as I approached her, she suggested moving to a corner. I looked at the corner, it looked better there. No one smoked near the corner. I also helped her move places by bringing her a cup of coffee.

"Have you seen this cafe barista?" I asked my friend, Rima, the princess who likes the green color.

"Barista? What is it about the barista?" she replied indifferently.

"He's my friend, I knew him from primary school until high school. I told you the story between me and him. His name is Victor."

Rima looked at me. "Your first kiss?"

I nodded. I realized my lips must have displayed an awkward smile. Rima started smiling, ready to fool me. Yet it didn't last long, in her eyes, reflecting a sense of worry. "How's your heart?" She asked.

Reflex, I touched my chest. "I'm fine. I'm glad to see him again."

"Oh, seriously? What about the past?"

"That was decades ago. We can be friend again."

"So you're going to see him again? Have you guys exchanged new numbers? You have changed your mobile number."

"I haven't asked for his new phone number. We're just saying hello, that's all."

Rima evaluated my face. "You must be very confused, huh, suddenly seeing him here."

I couldn't react quickly even though I finally nodded. Can't we be friend with the past?