The Warmth That Followed the Storm
The café gradually exhaled, reclaiming its warmth as tension melted away like foam on a latte. Patrons trickled back in, their laughter and light chatter filling the void left behind. The familiar rhythms of life returned, soothing like a heartbeat finding its steady pace again.
I slipped into the breakroom, my legs heavy and my hands trembling slightly. The chaos of the encounter clung to me, but the soft sounds outside offered reassurance—it was over. As I leaned against the wall, I inhaled deeply, letting the aroma of coffee and the promise of calm sink in. Storms pass, and with them comes the quiet needed to rebuild.