She warmed her cold fingers, hugging the cup of coffee with them. A thousand things went on in her mind but she willed herself to sit still and savour this one cup of coffee.

One cup to forget the insults heaped upon her hours earlier…

One cup to forget the sadness that threatened to swallow her whole…

One cup to have a normal few minutes without constant judgement, verbal abuse and a complete loss of self-worth…

Because you let him… the coffee whispered back…

---

She walked to the table with her sugar-free vanilla latte. A thousand things went on in her mind but she willed herself to sit still and savour this one cup of coffee.

One cup to have a few minutes of inactivity to herself, doing nothing but enjoying her favourite coffee.

One cup to forget her work deadline that decided her future

One cup to find the strength to fight for her rightful place in the universe. A demanding manager on one side and two kids who needed more than she could give them on the other.

Because you don’t let anyone see your real worth… the coffee whispered back…

---

She walked to the counter and hesitated. Then she ordered a tall, non-fat latte. She hungrily eyed the caramel drizzle but decided against it. A thousand things went on in her mind but she willed herself to sit still and savour this one cup of coffee.

One cup to forget how the world looked at her on the outside and didn’t bother to look any further.

One cup to try and remember why she was putting herself through sheer torture when she herself had no qualms with how she looked.

One cup to forget her date last night, the one who dropped her home and raced out of it like a scalded cat.

Because you don’t let people see what’s within…. the coffee whispered back…

---

She shook herself mentally. She was worth more than this. He had to stop. Today.

She saw the stupidity of her actions. And vowed to correct her work-life balance.

As the coffee warmed her from the inside, she began to see just how accomplished a person she was. It was time the world saw it too.

“Ready to leave?” she asked the other two who seemed to be lost in their own thoughts today.

Wonder what the coffee told them?