Coffee Splinter

Ever been in a situation where you’re just, “I’ll kill or maim him?” Yeah. That is my predicament right now as I stare down at my cup filled with stark black liquid. The way I love my coffee is black with a cube of sugar. It’s like a ritual for me to mix and drink which he knows and obviously messed with.

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I can get really upset sometimes and other times, I’m not even bothered by the actions of others which was the reason we broke up in the first place. He came to look for me last night and like other times when my head isn’t in the right place, I gave him an attitude. In my defense, I was on my period.

But he didn’t know that or maybe he did because I sent him away with care packages and a scowl on his face.

“You’ll regret this Shania. I’ll make you regret this. I’ll hex you!” He said.

I wasn’t scared at all because he’s made so many threats like that before. All the time I have threatened to hurt him too.

“Good luck with that honey.” I told him and sashayed my way back to the house. He had a lot of luck alright because I can’t taste my coffee. It keeps depleting when I take it to my mouth but then I can’t taste it.

In blinding rage, I leave my house in my pajamas. Thank God for bicycles because I ride unbothered of my appearance which must be terrible at this moment. His house is only a few blocks away thankfully.

When I get there, it’s locked. He must be at work. The library where he spends most of his stupid time! With a groan, I resume my journey for few more blocks, earning honks and shouts of displeasure from my reckless riding. At this point, I might get “pulled over”. I nearly laugh to myself.

The Library is still empty when I arrive. Typical. He’s your perfect early-to-work kinda book worm. I wonder how he’s a morning person even. My early is 10 am but a school project happening in Cebu which I have to catch a flight for has me awake at 7am. I am grumpy and irritated right now.

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He is not at the front desk. The smell of books and tangerine flavored room freshener hits my senses. A closer look says he’s been cleaning. I move to find him behind where I’m sure he is sorting out books when something catches my attention. Right on the desk is a book wide open. That’s not what gets my attention though. It’s the really bold font of the book and the heading that says, “Hexes”.

I quickly snatch it from it’s position. Little italic fonts are scribbled with different type of hexes. Looking at the upper left of the page, I see the little note, “for ex girlfriends”. I don’t even know if I’m angry anymore because…this worked?

“Coffee splinter” is written on the next page and that is…yep. That is what he hexed me with. It becomes funny all of a sudden. This stuff really worked!

“What are you doing? Drop that!”

I look up from the book. He is dressed in a white dress shirt, blue jeans and converse. His black rimmed glasses has me losing it though. I burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“Did you look in the mirror, Jamal?” I ask holding my breath. He fishes out his phone to presumably use his phone camera. He groans when he sees one lens is actually missing.

“I thought that the lens needed fixing. Didn’t think it fell off.” He mumbled and pockets his phone then takes of the broken glasses. When he makes a bee line for me, I quickly dodge.

“You don’t want to play with that Shania. Give it back.”

“Oh! Like you did with me? I can’t even be angry because what the hell Jamal? You really did hex me!”

He pouts. “I’m sorry. It’s petty I know but I really wanted to get back at you. You were so…rude to me.”

I almost feel bad but then I remember why I’m here.

“Doesn’t mean you should hex me you idiot! Why can’t we just talk? Unhex me!” The anger is beginning to surface and my voice goes an octave higher.

“Okay okay. I—I don’t know how to.” He looks away ashamed.

“Say what?”

“I’m figuring it o— what the! No! What are you doing?” He lunges for me in horror but too late. The book lays in half and a few pieces on the floor.

“Shania! I’m gonna lose my job!” He’s on his knees trying to piece it together.

“Good. Now we both lost something.”

I storm out of the library almost running into someone but manage to dodge before it can happen.

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The aroma of coffee hits me when I get home. Sadness engulfs me when I remember I won’t be able to taste my ritual cup anymore. But as a last hurrah, I take it anyway and bring it to my mouth. Luke warm bitterness fills my tastebuds. My eyes snap open followed by a spit take. I can taste it!

I quickly dial Jamal to tell him. I learn from him that tearing the book was the only other way to break its hex but he hoped for some other way. After a few choice words between us both, I hang up. I cheerfully begin to spin another cup.

Note to self: Cold coffee is bad coffee!

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My response to the Spill The Beans Prompt