I stepped off the bus into the sleepy town in northern Thailand, the kind of place where the air smells faintly of jasmine and grilled street food. I hadn’t planned on much today—just wandering, letting my feet guide me through the narrow streets—but then I noticed it: a small café tucked between two pastel-colored shops, its wooden sign swinging gently in the breeze. “Choco Haven” it read, with a tiny heart drawn above the “o.”
Curious, I wandered inside. The interior was warm and inviting, soft golden lights reflecting off jars of cocoa powder and handmade chocolate truffles. The aroma hit me immediately—rich, sweet, and comforting.
Behind the counter, wiping a cup with a cloth, was him. A young man, maybe mid-twenties, with dark hair slightly tousled and an easy, welcoming smile. His eyes caught mine as I stepped closer, and suddenly, ordering a drink felt like the most important thing in the world.
“Hi! Welcome to Choco Haven. First time here?” he asked in English, his Thai accent soft but charming.
“Yes,” I said, trying to sound casual. “I heard your chocolate drinks are amazing.”
He grinned, leaning a little closer. “You heard right. We take chocolate very seriously here.” His laugh was warm, like the café itself. “What kind of chocolate are you in the mood for?”
I scanned the menu, my heart beating a little faster than it should. “Something… cozy. Sweet, but not too heavy.”
“Ah,” he said, nodding. “I have the perfect one for you.” He started preparing it, the chocolate melting and swirling, steam curling around him like a soft halo.
I watched, mesmerized. He moved with such ease, like he’d done this a thousand times—but his smile when he noticed me watching made it feel personal, like he’d made it just for me.
When he handed me the cup, our fingers brushed. A small jolt ran through me—electric, fleeting, but undeniable. “Here,” he said. “One ‘Cocoa Dream.’ Hope it makes your day better.”
I took a sip, and it was heavenly—rich chocolate with just the right hint of cinnamon. I looked up to thank him, and he winked.
“I’ll be around if you need more cocoa… or someone to talk to,” he said casually, but there was a warmth in his voice that made my stomach flutter.
I smiled, feeling a strange, happy tension in the quiet café. Maybe it was the chocolate, maybe it was him—or maybe it was the feeling that sometimes, the most unexpected visits lead to the sweetest encounters.
And for the rest of the afternoon, I stayed in that corner of the café, pretending to work on my journal while stealing glances at him, silently hoping this small town in Thailand had more chocolate and more moments like this in store for me.