The Anonymous Letter

— "Bella, did you choose those names for tonight's guests at the café?"

Serene asked Lady Bellaruby while taking the last bite of her meal.

They were sitting in their living room, the beige color of the walls adding a warm, vintage charm to the space. Lady Bellaruby looked momentarily puzzled by the question, then asked,

— "Which names, Serene?"

— "Don't tell me you haven't made the list. The eight people who will be sitting in our café tonight."

Lady Bellaruby stopped mid-sentence, biting her tongue in a moment of guilt. Her eyes betrayed her forgetfulness, silently pleading for understanding.

— "Ahh! I forgot, Serene. I am really sorry!"

— "Huh? We only have one hour, Bella. How am I supposed to manage picking up those names now? Anyway, it's okay."

Serene sighed but quickly shifted into action mode. She dashed toward her room, holding a glass of water.

In a flurry of movement, she began sorting through the stack of letters people had sent, each one hoping for a coveted spot in the café that night.

Serene selected eight names without further deliberation and jotted them down on her palm, intending to transcribe them onto the board later.

Finally, she took a deep breath, a wave of relief washing over her. Clasping her hands together, she whispered a quick prayer of gratitude.

"Thank you very much, God! For making it so easy for me. I was really panicking for no reason. Thank you for always staying by my side. I love you!"

After murmuring those words, Serene walked over to her armoire to find something to wear.

She chose a vintage dark gray frock adorned with a delicate flower near the neckline.

Though the dress itself was a subdued color, the flower added a touch of innocence to her appearance. Dressed in the frock, she looked more like a little girl than a twenty-seven-year-old woman.

Serene's beauty was undeniable. She had stunning eyes, a lovely face, and a heart as soft as the vintage aesthetics she loved. However, she was petite, standing no more than 152 centimeters tall.

Despite her height, Serene embraced her unique charm. It was as if God intended for her to always have a childlike presence, even in a crowd.

Her height, which might have been a source of insecurity for someone else, was something she had come to accept and even appreciate.

Most people were too captivated by her overall beauty and demeanor to notice her stature.

She gave herself one last look in the mirror, smoothing out the frock and adjusting the flower near her neck.

The reflection that stared back at her was of a woman ready to take on the day's challenges with grace and resilience.

Satisfied, she left her room, ready to pin up the names and welcome the day with all its possibilities.

Serene chose to bun her hair, considering the summer heat outside.

With a loose bun, she walked into the living room and saw Lady Bellaruby still sitting at the dining table, smiling as usual despite having already finished her meal.

Lady Bellaruby looked at Serene and said,

— "Serene! You stay here. I'll stick those names. After all, I need to make up for the mistake I made."

Serene shook her head gently, her voice soft but firm,

— "Bella, you don't have to do this. Rather, take a nap. You stayed up all night."

Lady Bellaruby's eyes softened with gratitude, but she shook her head.

— "No, Serene. It's the least I can do. Plus, it's my responsibility. I'll be fine."

Serene smiled, her tone sweet as honey.

— "Bella, darling, I insist."

Lady Bellaruby cut her off with a playful shrug.

— "Serene, darling, I am not an old woman you need to take care of so much. Just sit there. I'm coming right back."

Serene gently pushed Lady Bellaruby back into the chair, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. She leaned in closer, focusing on Bella's face, and spoke in a teasing tone,

— "You really don't have to go, Bella. I told you already. But why are you so desperate to head outside? Hmm? Is there something going on that I don't know about? Don't tell me you've got a secret lover. It would be quite the scandal if you, in your old age, found someone before I did."

Lady Bellaruby laughed heartily at Serene's melodramatic tone, recognizing the playful exaggeration in her voice.

— "Oh, Serene, you're too much. No secret lovers for me, just a love for fresh air."

The two shared a warm laugh, their bond evident in their easy banter. Serene, still smiling, headed towards the main door of their flat. She descended the stairs and walked to the board outside the cafe.

The morning sun bathed the street in a golden glow, and Serene took a moment to appreciate the tranquility of the scene.

She carefully affixed the list of names to the board and gathered the new letters that had been posted.

As she counted, she realized there were 40 letters in total. The number brought a chuckle to her lips, filling her with a quiet sense of pride.

Here she was, a 27-year-old woman, creating something special that resonated with so many people.

Serene cradled the letters in her arms as if they were precious treasures, each one representing a person's hope, story, and anticipation.

The letters were a testament to the cafe's unique charm and the community it had built.

As she walked back towards the flat, she felt a renewed sense of purpose and joy, ready to continue the work she loved so much.

The café, with its bustling atmosphere and the strangers who filled it, was Serene's cherished creation. Every detail, from the coffee to the ambiance, was her pride and joy.

As she glanced around, ensuring everything was in its place, she felt a deep sense of fulfillment. After sticking the list of names on the board, she made her way back home.

Upon returning, the heat of the day prompted her to take a refreshing shower. The cool water washed away the morning's exertion, leaving her feeling revitalized.

Meanwhile, Lady Bellaruby, exhausted from her all-night vigil at the café, had succumbed to sleep. She lay peacefully on the couch, a testament to her dedication and hard work.

Serene took a moment to arrange the letters she had collected. This was a ritual she cherished. Each letter was a connection to the outside world, a personal touch that she rarely experienced otherwise.

She eagerly opened the first envelope, her eyes scanning the familiar handwriting and sentiments.

Despite the predictability of most letters, she found joy in this simple act.

Reading these letters had become a part of her routine over the past two years. While many contained similar themes and expressions of gratitude, only a few had truly touched her heart. Even so, she read each one with care, appreciating the effort and thought behind them.

As she opened another letter, her eyes quickly moved over the lines, her mind wandering slightly as she anticipated the familiar words.

It was rare for a letter to surprise her anymore, but she still hoped for that occasional gem that would stand out.

The routine of it all was comforting, yet she longed for something extraordinary, a letter that would leave a lasting impression.

As she continued reading, the café's atmosphere and the stories of the strangers who frequented it came to life in her mind.

Each letter was a small window into the lives of her patrons, and she cherished this connection deeply, even if the letters themselves were often predictable.

•

Dear respectful owner of the cafe,

I really love your ideas. My life is like all the stereotypical lives everyone has. I lack the words, so can you please give me a reason to live in the world again?

- Anonymous

•

Serene laughed softly after reading this letter. She could sense the emotional weight behind the words, imagining the person who wrote it must be someone deeply reflective, perhaps going through a tough time.

It wasn't the first time she'd received such heartfelt letters, but each one still sparked her curiosity. She wondered what had happened in the writer's life to make them reach out in such a vulnerable way.

Setting the letter aside, she placed it on her left, marking it as one that had captured her attention. Despite the repetitive nature of many letters, she never tired of reading them.

They were her window into the lives of those who visited her café, and she felt a connection to each writer, no matter how brief or stereotypical their messages might be.

Serene continued her ritual, reading through 18 letters in one sitting. Most were familiar in their themes, echoing the common struggles and joys of everyday life.

Serene's fixed smile faltered momentarily as she read the distinct letter, her eyes widening with surprise.

The handwriting was unique, and the language used was strikingly different from the other letters she had read in her two years as the café's owner.

The words carried a certain edge, reflecting the writer's mood swings. The letter read:

•

"I really didn't find out anything about the cafe, I think it's just an overhyped cafe. Even the rules are so weird, there's no other reason for creating the cafe. Everyone wants to experience uniqueness, not weirdness! I don't know how the owner will feel after reading my letter, but I really want to know what exactly is inside it that everyone in the Netherlands, even my lover, praises the cafe so much. Just to get to know, I have to wait for this cafe. Just give me a seat; otherwise, it's okay."

•

Serene stared at the letter, astonished that someone would write such candid and critical lines. She glanced at the name section, only to find it blank.

A typical reader might have felt anger or defensiveness, but not Serene. Her poetic soul saw the raw honesty and the underlying curiosity in the words.

Rather than feeling offended, she was intrigued. Who was this person?

What experiences had led them to write such a letter? Serene's mind buzzed with questions. This letter was a puzzle, a challenge, and she was determined to unravel it.

She felt a sudden excitement, a desire to meet the person behind the words and show them the magic of Café Wabi-Sabi.

With a renewed sense of purpose, she carefully placed the letter on top of the others.

It was clear this person had to experience the café, not just to prove them wrong but to share the unique charm that had captivated so many.

— "Who are you, really?"

Serene murmured, lost in her thoughts about the letter's author. She couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had happened to this person to provoke such a raw and honest response.

She believed that everything in the world happened for a reason; nothing was without purpose.

She found herself pondering the potential backstory behind the letter. What kind of experiences led to such skepticism and frustration? Was it heartbreak, disillusionment, or perhaps a deeper, more profound loss?

— "Everyone has a story!"

She whispered to herself.

— "Maybe this one is just waiting to be told."

Determined to find out more, Serene decided to keep an eye out for anyone who might fit the description in the letter.

She made a mental note to be extra attentive, to listen and observe more closely in the hopes of identifying the author.

There are those who have lost their way, stumbling through the darkness in search of a guiding light.

They feel alone and afraid, grappling with inner demons that threaten to consume them whole. In their moments of despair, they may even contemplate the ultimate escape, finding solace in the idea of ending their pain.

Then there are those who live in a world of delusion, trapped within the confines of their own minds.

They are the architects of their own downfall, constructing walls of false perceptions and distorted realities that shield them from the harsh truths of existence.

Among them, there are those who cast themselves as the villains of their own stories, haunted by past mistakes and consumed by self-loathing.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, there are glimmers of light. There are those who find the courage to leave behind toxic relationships, despite the fear of the unknown.

They may have lost faith in fate, but they refuse to be defined by their circumstances.

There are those who have never known love, whose hearts ache for the warmth of connection and understanding.

They long for a glimpse of the beauty that others seem to effortlessly find in the world.

And then, there are those who see beyond the darkness, who recognize the inherent beauty in every moment, no matter how fleeting.

They understand that life is a tapestry of experiences, both light and shadow, and they choose to embrace it all with open arms.

In the end, each person's journey is unique, shaped by the interplay of choice and circumstance.

But no matter how difficult the road may seem, there is always the potential for growth, for redemption, for finding beauty in the midst of chaos.