While Masal was preparing coffee behind the counter, the door opened, and a customer walked in. When she looked up, she saw Bartu standing there. Her breath caught for a moment; the seriousness and determination on Bartu's face both reassured her and made her slightly tense.
Bartu stepped inside, walking silently toward Masal. "Hello," he said, his voice deep and deep, yet gentle. Masal replied, a little surprised, a little shy: "Hello… why did you come?" Bartu smiled slightly, but his eyes still seemed to be scanning the surroundings intently. "I wanted to check on you. Is everything okay?"
Masal raised his eyebrows, a little embarrassed, but also curious: "I mean… yes, I'm fine. Thank you… for last time." Bartu moved a little closer to the counter, still keeping his distance. "You don't need to worry. I'm just here; I wanted to ensure your safety. But I don't want to overdo it." Masal smiled slightly, his eyes filled with both relief and surprise. "You… you really take this seriously, don't you?"
Bartu nodded, a grim smile playing at the corners of his lips: "I'm serious." Masal was silent for a short while, then slowly handed him the coffee cup: "Okay… here's your coffee on me." Bartu took the coffee and nodded slightly: "Thank you. That's it… both coffee and your safety in one." Masal glanced at Bartu out of the corner of his eye, a small smile on the corners of his lips, but the distance of their new acquaintance was still palpable.
Bartu watched him for a few more seconds. Masal smiled slightly, not taking his eyes off Bartu: "For last time… I think I owe you a debt of gratitude. I want to make it up to you somehow." Bartu shook his head slightly, seriously: "There's no need for that, Masal, really. I did everything for you; there's no debt." Masal insisted with a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips: "But I still want to make it up to you somehow. Please… just once, let me."
After a short silence, Bartu averted his eyes slightly, but still spoke with determination: "Look, there's really no need. The important thing is that you're safe. You don't need to think about anything else." Masal bowed his head slightly, but couldn't hide the insistence in his eyes: "No, you have to agree. Just once... I promise, just one meal. And I know a really nice place where I want to take you. You'll love it." A thin smile played at the corners of Bartu's lips, his eyes filled with both surprise and resignation: "Okay... we agreed. But just this once, and just for the meal."
Masal laughed, her eyes sparkling: "Great! I promise, you won't regret it." Bartu nodded, smiling slightly: "Okay, but remember... just the meal." Masal winked and let out a genuine smile as he returned to his work at the counter. Bartu stood a few steps back, watching her; the distance between them was still maintained, but a small closeness and a slight, sweet tension had formed.