Dear Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf,

We’ve been through a lot, haven’t we? When I’m happy, it’s probably because I’ve just spent hours inside the shop talking and catching up with friends I haven’t seen in ages. When I’m sad, a hug and a piping hot caramel latte never fail to cheer me up. A big rocky road fudge bar doesn’t hurt either. When it’s sweltering outside, an ice-blended White Chocolate Dream is the answer. When it seems like it’ll never stop raining, hot chocolate and a good book keep me warm and comfy.

The first time I walked through your doors was when my mom decided to treat me to coffee after dinner. I don’t remember exactly what I ordered, but I remember it being hot, smooth, and a bit on the sweet side. The taste lingered long after the coffee disappeared.

It was this lingering taste that drove me to find you again, this time as a college undergrad desperately looking for a place to sit and think. For the second round, the drink was ice-cold and sweeter than the last one. The sugar and caffeine kept me going as I crammed several biology textbooks into my overextended brain.

The last time I visited was when I came back and met up with a friend I haven’t seen in years. Paradise beckoned after I graduated and I moved to work in an island that didn’t have you (gasp!). Several hours, two drinks, and cute barista-ogling later, it felt as if I’d never left.

I’m coming back to Manila for good this October. I’m looking forward to being with my loved ones again, as well as going back to school. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to renewing our acquaintance.

Regards,

Macy

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Written for What’s Your Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Story?