Serene

"Life is beautiful! It's really amazing!"

While repeating these lines into the air, she opened the wooden and glass window.

The cool breeze made its entrance, touching her body and soul smoothly, gently lifting her hair in the wind.

She closed her eyes, savoring the fresh morning sunrise. When she opened them again, even the sun seemed to blush at the sight of her outer beauty.

A smile played at the corners of her lips, creating a dimple that only added to her charm. She owned a dimpled smile, one that could light up any room and warm any heart.

Standing there, bathed in the early morning light, she felt a deep sense of contentment and gratitude. Life, with all its twists and turns, felt overwhelmingly beautiful in that moment.

The sun rays reflected off her cheek, clean as a pure river. Her face, glowing in the sunlight, made everything else pale in comparison.

As she stretched her arms above her head and yawned, her shining face seemed to radiate even more, making everything else appear dull in front of her beauty.

Her brownish face held a peaceful yet absolute beauty, especially her eyes—those flawless, dark hazel eyes that seemed crafted by a divine hand.

— "Serene!"

She immediately turned, her hair dancing through the air and cascading onto her chest, enhancing her already stunning appearance.

Her small frame and short height were truly breathtaking.

Standing in front of her was Lady Bellaruby, who smiled, captivated by the young woman's beauty.

It was hard to look away from someone so effortlessly enchanting. Lady Bellaruby moved towards the bed to tidy up, her polite smile never fading.

— "Did you sleep well, Serene?"

She asked warmly. Serene, embodying the meaning of her name with her calm, tranquil presence, glanced around her room.

Everything was clean except for her study table and the bed, the two places she spent most of her time.

Her existence seemed a divine gift, radiating peace and perfection. Quickly, Serene ran to the study table, eager to organize the mess.

She gathered the scattered books, her faint smile creating a charming dimple in her cheek.

The room, reflecting her nature, began to take on a more orderly appearance as she worked. Serene's voice matched her serene demeanor—soft, honeyed, and sweet, like a dessert after dinner.

— "I did, and thanks a lot for taking care of the cafe for me, darling."

She said warmly. Lady Bellaruby, holding a pillow in her wrinkled hands, shrugged off the thanks.

— "You are like my granddaughter, Serene darling. Don't create any formalities between us."

She paused, placing the pillow on the right side of the bed, and continued in a cute, complaining tone,

— "Cafe Wabi-Sabi is ours. Believe me, I really don't like when you work alone in the cafe and leave me in the room."

— "Hehe! You are so dramatic, Bella! Must have to say it."

Serene teased with a playful grin. Lady Bellaruby chuckled,

— "So are you, Serene."

Both started laughing, and the room filled with the joyous sound of their mirth. The happiness they shared was infectious, making even the corners of the room seem to smile.

Serene and Lady Bellaruby's lives were intertwined with laughter, from morning to night, week to month.

In a world often overshadowed by depression, they had found each other at just the right time, forming a bond that brightened their days.

Lady Bellaruby was like a grandmother to Serene, who at 27, was the proud owner of Cafe Wabi-Sabi.

Serene had been unwell the previous day, and Lady Bellaruby had taken over the cafe's responsibilities, ensuring everything ran smoothly.

Feeling better, Serene hurried to the kitchen to make two cups of coffee.

Their routine was simple yet cherished: sitting on the back balcony overlooking the long street of HJ, sharing coffee, and laughing at their inside jokes.

The jokes often made no sense but brought them immense joy. Despite the 30-year age gap, their friendship was strong, proving that true companionship knows no boundaries.

Serene and Lady Bellaruby sat on their wooden chairs on the balcony, basking in the serene early morning of Amsterdam. The air felt like a piece of heaven.

They both took long sips of their coffee, slurping contentedly without a hint of embarrassment.

Their bond allowed them to be their true selves, unfiltered and genuine. Lady Bellaruby spoke softly, her voice tinged with wonder.

— "Yesterday night, someone came without a booking, and I gave him a seat since a table was free. I didn't expect anyone else, and I was shocked when I saw them talking. The man seemed really depressed, and the woman, with her breathtaking beauty, also seemed tense. But when they left, they were smiling. It was incredible. You've done something truly amazing with this cafe, Serene. You have no idea how many lives you're saving."

Serene smiled, her heart warmed by Lady Bellaruby's words.

— "Thank you, Bella. That means a lot to me. I wanted this place to be a haven for people, a place where they can find comfort and maybe a bit of peace. I'm glad it's working."

Lady Bellaruby nodded, her eyes shining with pride.

— "It's more than working. It's thriving. You've created something special here, Serene. Never forget that."

They sipped their coffee in silence for a while, watching the city wake up, feeling grateful for each other and the small joys life brought their way. Serene smiled as she took another sip of her sweet, tasty coffee.

— "I don't think I'm doing anything special. I just created a cafe with some weird but beautiful ideas. The rest is done by strangers who meet for the first time and somehow heal each other without even seeing each other. I wonder how many nice people live in Amsterdam that we don't know about."

She paused, gazing at the horizon where the sun was colliding with the clouds, casting a gentle glow over the city. Lady Bellaruby leaned back in her chair, her eyes following Serene's gaze.

— "You've given them a space to connect, though. Sometimes, that's all people need—a place to feel safe, to share their stories and find solace in one another. You've created a little sanctuary here, Serene."

Serene turned to Lady Bellaruby, her eyes reflecting the soft morning light. Serene took a moment to reflect, her eyes thoughtful.

— "The world is so good, but I sometimes get shocked by how many people suffer from illness like depression and other things. I'm just praying they get whatever they need and what's best for them."

Lady Bellaruby nodded, her smile warm but tinged with sadness.

— "I believe they haven't found their true purpose or chosen the right path in life, and that's why they suffer. But I bet if they had the same sense of purpose you have, everyone would start thinking in a better way."

Serene chuckled, her mood lifting.

— "Thanks for the praise, but tell me one thing: how about my beautiful jokes, baby?"

She elongated the 'baby' playfully, making Lady Bellaruby laugh heartily. Lady Bellaruby wiped a tear from her eye as she caught her breath.

— "Your jokes are absolutely delightful, Serene. They may not always make sense, but they always make me laugh. And that, my dear, is a true gift."

Serene grinned, her heart full. The connection she shared with Lady Bellaruby was special, a testament to the power of friendship and laughter in overcoming life's challenges. Serene burst into laughter, shaking her head.

— "They are dad jokes, but I really like them."

Lady Bellaruby winked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

— "Don't forget, you are the queen of dad jokes!"

Serene playfully nudged Lady Bellaruby's arm.

— "If I am the queen, then you are the real creator of dad jokes, Serene. Remember yesterday what you said to me? 'Mistakes really teach us so much, I wonder why teachers exist'!"

Lady Bellaruby laughed, recalling the moment.

— "Okay! But who said to me, 'Breathe if you can't live without me. When I breathed, you said 'thank you'! Hehehe, now decide who has the power of saying crack jokes."

Their laughter echoed through the balcony, filling the early morning air with joy. Lady Bellaruby and Serene playfully debated who was the true master of dad jokes, each trying to outdo the other.

Lady Bellaruby attempted to keep a straight face as she began her next joke, but Serene's loud laughter was contagious.

— "Are you a morning person or a night person, Serene...hehehe?"

Serene, still giggling, responded quickly.

— "I'm barely a person! I heard that one before, darling."

Their laughter filled the air, a symphony of joy that seemed to dance with the morning breeze. Lady Bellaruby tried another joke, determined to catch Serene off guard.

— "Why don't scientists trust atoms anymore?"

Serene raised an eyebrow, playing along.

— "Why?"

Lady Bellaruby grinned.

— "Because they make up everything!"

Serene burst out laughing, clutching her sides. Lady Bellaruby joined in, the two of them caught in a moment of pure, unfiltered joy.

For a while, their worries and the outside world faded away, leaving only the bond they shared and the happiness they brought to each other's lives.

Their laughter continued, unabated by the simplicity of their jokes. Each line, no matter how silly, seemed to unlock another wave of joy between them.

— "If you ever need my help, be ashamed to ask for it!"

Serene doubled over with laughter, clutching her stomach.

— "I miss the old days back in 1888 when I didn't even exist!"

Lady Bellaruby's deadpan delivery only made Serene laugh harder.

— "Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can't see."

Their jokes became more nonsensical with each passing moment, but the laughter that accompanied them was genuine and infectious.

As they shared breakfast, their mirth-filled banter echoed through the room, reminding them both of the simple joy of being alive.

For Serene and Lady Bellaruby, life was a beautiful journey meant to be enjoyed to the fullest.

In their world, laughter was the best medicine, and they were determined to overdose on it every chance they got.