Brown and Bold- A short story

Wednesday afternoons were slow. In Goa all afternoons are slow. But Wednesdays due to some unknown quirk of fate were always slow at Subs and Coffees. Jay was again at it behind the counter. Mixing, brewing fiddling with the settings on the huge hi-tec Coffee Machine with half a dozen LED screens.

"Jay, leave it kid. Not another 'Special Exotic Blend', and on a Wednesday. Your shift ends in half an hour, nobody's going to walk in except may be freeloading college kids." It was the Manager/Partner and part time chef Ray Mendonza, a grey haired widower who had enough money to comfortably retire but had invested nearly Thirty Thousand Euros to start the coffee lounge in partnership with his friend, the real chef- Mani "Manny" Chawla.

Jay replied amiably without turning. "Boss, you know that this programmable steel and plastic coffee maker needs to be used regularly. Think of this as routine maintenance of the unused parts."

Ray barked a laugh. "Don't I know! This... this bloody complicated machine cost me, Me Alone! No, I was thinking more about you Jay, you don't do anything else, as much as I have seen. How about I take you to dinner?"

"Leave it. And that face you are making. It is lecherous, Manny is in the back you know."

"At least, I am interesting." He slapped Jay on the back and made his way to the back office.

Jay took a sip of the strong black concoction- a mix of coffee, chicory, tea powder and bitter chocolate with a dash of sugar to take off the edge. It would require toning down Jay decided and turned to face the counter as a man in jeans and a croc'-T shirt walked in.

He walked over to Jay. "Machiato with cinnamon."

Jay started to prepare one.

"Can you add caramel syrup to it?"

Jay smiled at the customer. "Sure."

Jay served up the coffee with a cinnamon stick. The customer smiled at Jay appreciatively. "Old school huh. Thank you."

Jay smiled back and asked. "First time in Goa?"

"No. I've been here a few years back. For the renovation of the island fort. I was on the UN team."

"You look Indian."

"Hey. I am. Mumbai boy, all my life. UN was a contract gig we snagged."

After a few minutes as Jay finished up cleaning behind the counter the customer asked for another cup.

"Would like something.. bolder."

The customer looked at Jay as if just noticing the barista. "What..?"

"Strong, black and brown, with chocolate syrup."

"OK sounds nice."

When the mug was placed in front of him, he inhaled the aroma and smiled at the bitter sweet fragrance. Taking a careful sip he asked Jay.

"You have this on the menu?"

"No. It is a house blend for.. interesting customers. You like it?"

"Very much. Bold but good and smooth." He smiled at Jay who asked.

"You married?"

"A...no. Where did that come from?"

"Too bold Hum?"

"Just did not expect it. Never married."

"My shift ends in ten minutes."

"...Uh."

"Somethings never change. You still never expect a woman to take the lead?"

"Hey! You may be right. Sorry! This ... is buried instinct. I am all for brown and bold."

"Now you judge me!"

"Not at all, believe me." He said with a smile and raised eyebrows. "I am glad I came here. A woman who knows her mind- I respect that." He ended with a mock salute.

PICTURE CREDIT: PIXABAY.COM