Fortune-telling on Coffee Grounds by Kateryna Aleksandrova

The two met on central street that day.

He, with wrinkles around his eyes, bright eyebrows, one raised above the other, he was lost somewhere deep in the vast deserts of the statistics posted on Facebook. She was a contrast between her own self and the world around, between a straight blue coat and copper curly hair. She was speaking to a friend, drawing intricate waves in the air with a disposable cup of coffee. She was a perpendicular to the trajectory of the movement of ordinary people that morning. She was the energy expressed not only by the red color of lipstick and earrings that reach to her shoulders, like emerald curtains on the windows. There was something in her that people would call the mysterious word "love." 

Fortunately, no one is woken up to the needed extent in the morning to react quickly, like a football goalkeeper who has seen a ball on his territory. Her "small cappuccino with vanilla syrup" defiantly decorated the man’s shoes, depicting a bright abstraction. Anyone who knows fortune-telling would probably see a swan in it. Although, is a coffee pattern noticeable enough on coffee-coloured shoes? 

- I ... But how you appeared here ... What were you thinking of?! Her voice could be heard even through the shop windows. 

- You ruined my shoes, - forced politeness, no emotion. 

- And you spoiled my mood! Watch where you're heading! Give way! Are you an ambulance, so I have to let you by?! 

- I'm sorry, if you want to shout, shout at someone else. I'm in a hurry. And I will not even force you to compensate for the inconveniences you caused me. 

Goodbye. 

- Do I still have to compensate you for something ?! Well, you know ... I wasted a cup of coffee on you. 

- If coffee is more expensive for you, even for your own reputation, you can go on not choosing words. 

- Get lost! All men are the same! 

- It seems you’ve been living in a wood until this day. Which does not surprise me given your behaviour. Don’t you mind opening a textbook on ethics. I can send a free version. 

- Have you decided to make a gift for me? 

- Call it as you want. 

Marina dictated her phone number, feeling her hot breath merging with the autumn air. Her cheeks flared as if the man has just boomeranged her own coffee in her face. 

- Have a good day. And never neglect politeness. 

He went into the underground pedestrian crossing, ending a sudden encounter. Now its boring and monotonous on the busiest street of the capital again.  

Each play has its own prehistory, but it is usually known only to the author. None of the mannequins in the shop windows has never found out how such encounters end.

The next day she got a call from an unknown number. 

Good afternoon. I should invite you for coffee. It seems like you poured a cappuccino on me yesterday. I’ll have to compensate you the losses.