The morning is greyed out from the clouds, the rain battering the windows with their thunderous might. Waking up every day at this ungodly hour is an ordeal. Why have I signed up for this? Why have I accepted coming here? Why have I left everyone behind to chase illusions[...]

Before the morning sun was up, and when the winter’s cold still bit into the darkness of the district, I made my way towards the deli at the end of the street and round the corner towards the bakery. Work had already started on the new Mich Café that Marie[...]

I woke up on a Saturday morning with a bulbul exchanging flatteries and compliments with its own reflection on the window. The sun rays were barely warming up the walls but I could already smell the scent of tea and cinnamon from three floors below. Marie. I felt inexplicably indolent that morning,[...]

“You look wonderful today!” said Marie as I walked in. “You look as radiant as God’s light,” I remarked back at her. She did look beautiful. Her four diamond earrings were as sparkling as ever. “Oh, you keep flattering me with your words!” “Interested in being my partner?” I smiled.[...]

“So tell me about her!” pleaded Marie. I have told her about my thoughts towards the piano lady and she seemed intrigued by the new piece of information. It felt as though I have broken the routine of every day; I have become a case study in her psychology book.[...]