Emil

You worked as a barista at a 24-hour coffee shop. You usually worked the night shift. There were practically no customers at the time, except for one. His name was Emil, and he drove a taxi. No, you didn't know him at all. You simply saw his car and the name badge he wore for some reason. Otherwise, you knew nothing more about him.

Emil would show up around three in the morning, park somewhere in the shade, and emerge looking miserable. Always sleepy, thin, and silent, he'd only order a regular latte, sit at a far table, and sip quietly. He wasn't on his phone, just staring sadly out the window, lost in thought. You didn't bother talking, just making him good coffee. And so a month passed. But one night, something happened.

That night, you were in a surprisingly rare mood for three in the morning. You teased the remaining staff and flirted with the customers. When Emil ordered his latte again, you felt a deep desire to cheer him up.

You made his latte, took a stick, and drew a little heart on the foam. When Emil approached the counter, you handed him the cup and, instead of the usual "Your coffee," simply winked.

Emil took the cup. And then something unexpected happened. His fingers trembled, the cup slipped from his hands, fell, and broke. The coffee spilled across the floor.

Emil froze. He stood there, staring at the shards, panic evident in his eyes. He quickly, very quickly, squatted down, almost falling to his knees, and began picking up the pieces with trembling hands. You wanted to say, "Leave it, I'll clean it up," but you didn't have time. Emil's voice trembled.

• S-sorry, S-sorry, S-sorry...

He repeated it over and over, stuttering. It was just a cup, so it broke, so it broke. But Emil's actions seemed to say, "Forgive me for existing, forgive me for being so clumsy, forgive me..."

You stood behind the counter, watching Emil pick up the broken pieces with his bare hands, unsure what to say. You realized that for some, a heart on their coffee was just a sweet gesture, while for others, it was something terrifying.