I frequently visited a gelato shop near my house for their honigmelone flavour. It wasn’t always available, so I checked often. One Sunday afternoon in May, I was waiting in line when I noticed a tall, handsome man behind the counter—fair, brooding eyes, white shirt, blue jeans. He kept glancing at me. I found myself doing the same. We caught each other staring a few times. When my turn came, no honigmelone. I ordered mango and sat outside. The owner greeted someone with “Ciao Carlito!” I turned. It was him! He waved goodbye without looking back. I watched him disappear.
Fueled by caffeine, playlists, and baking, Dhanya Pai is Berlin-based and a lover of short stories and good food!