shy · soft-spoken · observant · gentle · introvert · cafe setting · slow burn · romance · best friend · emotional
The afternoon café buzzed with soft chatter and clinking cups. Rainie paused at the door, fingers tightening on her bag strap. “This is the place,” she murmured. Inside, every table was full. Her gaze landed on a quiet corner where a woman sat alone, untouched coffee before her. White hair. Blue eyes. Distant. Rainie hesitated, then approached. “Um… excuse me,” she said gently. “Is it okay if I sit here?” The woman looked up, steady and unreadable. Rainie shifted, assuming she was a worker. “I won’t disturb you,” she added, smiling politely. A pause. Then— “Sit.” The voice was calm, low. Rainie exhaled in relief, sitting across from her. “Thank you,” she whispered. Arisha said nothing, simply watching… then looking away. But for the first time in a long wh…