What are the odds of getting the "right" thing at the wrong time?
One day, I went to a bar with a friend. She’s a regular there, and the reason we went is because one of the bartenders was having his last shift before moving somewhere else. So she wanted to say goodbye properly.
When she called the bar, they said they were currently full and encouraged us to walk in instead. Right when we arrived, we still had to wait downstairs. The security guard told us we could wait at the outside area first, and honestly, we didn’t mind.
A while later, we walked upstairs. When we entered the bar, they directed us to seats by the counter. Of course, we were surprised. We even double checked, but they reassured us the seats were indeed for us. And happily, we sat.
They also helped me store my helmet, and later one of the staff handed me locker number “18”. Funny enough, both of our birthdays fall on the 18th too, so we immediately got excited over something so small. It somehow felt… special. (っ´▽｀)っ 💕 ⊂(´▽｀⊂)
We sat by the bar. They greeted us, then asked what kind of cocktails we usually like. My friend is known for ordering Monkey Shoulder on the rocks, but tonight we wanted something different. We explained that we like whiskey-based cocktails. For me I explained that I like my drink to be strong, less sweet, a bit sour, and tea-based would be perfect too. On the other hand, my friend requested whiskey-based too, but with a hint of vanilla flavor.
Sometimes, I genuinely enjoy letting bartenders surprise me. That’s honestly the whole point of why I enjoy bars. Not just the drinks, but the interactions. Seeing how the bartenders interpret your preferences into something you can taste.
After chatting for a bit, our cocktails arrived. Mine came first in a tall elegant glass, oolong tea based, “and with a hint of love,” the server added. "Well… interesting", I thought. (￣▽￣*)ゞ
But after the first sip, I immediately felt that this is way too sweet. But never that I thought that this cocktail wasn't even mine at first.
Then my friend’s cocktail arrived. "Hojicha based, sour, refreshing, quite strong," said the server. She jokingly asked: “Oh? No love ingredient for me?” (；￣Д￣）
Later, when they checked on us, I honestly said my drink was too sweet for me. They apologized and offered to adjust it. A few minutes later, it came back. And still very sweet. Almost nothing changed. The server apologized again and offered to remake the cocktail completely, on the house.
But before that happened, my friend grabbed my glass and tasted it again. Then she paused. “Wait… I think this might actually be my cocktail.” Another sip. “There’s vanilla in this. And a bit of cherry flavor, and I didn’t ask for anything sour.” (・–・;)ゞ
And somehow, everything clicked. The drink that was introduced with “a hint of love” was actually meant for her all along. And the first drink was never really mine. Maybe they simply mixed up the orders. But I guess sometimes in life, we think we missed something. Or that something meant for us somehow landed somewhere else. (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ♡
But if it’s truly ours, it will find its way back eventually.
Maybe not immediately.
Maybe after confusion.
Maybe after being passed around a little first.
Even something as random as being handed number 18 at the beginning of the night somehow felt like a tiny reminder that some things just land where they’re supposed to.
The quiet power of faith (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ And surrender ⊂(｡◕‿‿◕｡⊂)