The crisp morning air bit into his skin, reminding him that winter hadn't fully passed. Farhan pulled his thick jacket tighter around him as he sipped the hot coffee in front of him. The steam rising from the cup brought warmth that slowly spread throughout his body.

"Ahh... nothing beats a good cup of coffee on a cold morning," he murmured to himself, exhaling in relief.

His gaze wandered, landing on a girl walking along the sidewalk outside the café. Her long hair shimmered in the soft morning light, making her look like an angel descending from the heavens. Farhan found himself frozen, his heart skipping a beat as he admired the natural beauty radiating from the girl.

She glanced his way briefly, flashing a sweet smile that left him flustered. "G-good morning," he stammered, trying to recover from the sudden rush of emotions.

"Morning," she replied with a graceful nod, not breaking her stride.

Farhan gathered his courage and stood up. "Excuse me, miss?" he called out hesitantly.

The girl stopped in her tracks and turned to face him with kind, gentle eyes. "Yes, can I help you?"

"I… I'm sorry to bother you. I just... wanted to introduce myself. I'm Farhan," he said with an awkward but sincere smile.

She returned the smile. "Nice to meet you, Farhan. I'm Marrisa."

Hearing her name made the world around him seem warmer. "It's really nice to meet you, Marrisa. I hope I'm not being rude, but... you look absolutely stunning today," he blurted out, feeling a bit foolish.

A soft blush appeared on her cheeks. "Oh, you're sweet. Thank you for the compliment," she replied, her voice filled with shy modesty.

Farhan scratched the back of his head nervously. "I don't mean to be forward, but... would you like to grab a cup of coffee with me? My treat."

Marrisa smiled gently. "Sure, that sounds nice."

They sat down together, facing each other at the small table. The café, which had once felt cold and unremarkable, suddenly seemed vibrant and lively. Marrisa's presence was like a breath of fresh air, filling the space with warmth. Farhan couldn't believe his luck – here he was, having a conversation with the girl who had just stolen his heart.

"So, what brings you around here this morning?" Farhan asked, trying to break the ice.

"Oh, nothing much," Marrisa said casually. "I was out for a jog and stopped by to grab a drink."

"You jog? Wow, you must be really disciplined. I can barely get myself to move in the mornings," Farhan chuckled, trying to make her laugh.

Marrisa giggled. "I try to stay healthy. My job kind of requires me to keep fit."

"Oh yeah? What do you do?" Farhan's curiosity was piqued.

"I'm a fashion designer. I travel a lot between workshops," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"No wonder you look so stylish! Did you design your outfit today?" Farhan asked, genuinely impressed.

Her cheeks flushed again. "Yeah, I did. But you're making me blush with all these compliments."

Farhan laughed, his nerves starting to ease. "Hey, I'm just telling the truth. You've got a real eye for fashion, Marrisa. No doubt about it."

She laughed too, the tension between them melting away. "Thanks, Farhan. You're pretty charming yourself."

Their conversation flowed naturally, like two old friends who hadn't seen each other in years. They shared jokes, stories, and laughter that echoed in the cozy café. Every now and then, Farhan would steal glances at Marrisa's smile, a smile that could melt glaciers and light up even the darkest corners of his mind.

But as they say, all good things must come to an end. Marrisa glanced at her watch and sighed. "Oh, shoot. I'm late for a meeting with a client."

Farhan's heart sank. "Already? I was really enjoying talking with you."

She gave him a reassuring smile. "I enjoyed it too. We should do this again sometime."

Farhan's face lit up instantly. "Really? Can I have your number then, so we can keep in touch?"

Marrisa chuckled and gave him her number. Farhan quickly saved it into his phone, his heart racing with excitement. "Thanks a lot, Marrisa. I hope we can meet up again soon."

"Anytime, Farhan. Just text me when you're free," she replied with a wave as she walked off.

Farhan watched her leave, a goofy grin plastered on his face. Something about this day felt different. It wasn't just the encounter, but the feeling that he had just met someone truly special. Someone who had breathed new life into his dull, routine days.

As he walked out of the café, the cold air no longer bothered him. Every step felt lighter, every breath more refreshing. Thoughts of Marrisa danced in his mind, and he couldn't help but wonder if this was the beginning of something more.

He smiled to himself as he whispered, "I hope this is just the start."