It was already past 10:30 PM when my brother showed up by the door with his keys, looking surprisingly wide awake for someone who’s usually sleepy at that hour.
“Exactly,” he grinned. “There’s this little cafe I saw online. It’s open 24/7. Just a roadside spot, kind of near the fields. Looks cozy. You in?”
The breeze felt cold against my skin, and right then, I knew that it was the perfect sign to grab a cup of coffee.
No plans, no expectations and just the two of us, cruising through quiet streets, the windows down and the wind brushing past us. The world felt so still. Most houses were already dark, and the roads were empty except for the occasional motorcycle zooming by.
And there it was.
A tiny wooden cab stood right at the edge of the road. Warm fairy lights dangled across a low wooden frame, glowing softly against the night.
A few mismatched chairs and tables were scattered around. The place had a rustic vibe it is simple but charming.
“I’ll get an iced caramel macchiato,” my brother said.
“Hot brewed coffee for me,” I added. “Oh, and fries. Gotta have
something to munch on.”
We picked a table near the edge, close to the rice fields. The breeze was cool and fresh, and everything felt so still.
The lights cast a golden glow over everything. It didn’t feel like we were just a few feet from the road—it felt like we were somewhere far, far away from reality.
Just when I thought we were here just for coffee and conversation, he reached into his bag and pulled out something unexpected.
We played Snakes and Ladders first. We laughed like little kids every time one of us hit a snake or climbed a ladder.
It was pure fun. No phones, no distractions—just two grown siblings, being silly and enjoying the moment. Then we played Scrabble, which got a little more intense.
There were a few couples, too, laughing and enjoying the moment. It looked like I wasn’t the only one having a good time—clearly, others were happy too.
As we played, more people came and went—some riders taking a break, others sitting quietly with their drinks. The whole place had a calm, late-night energy. No loud music, no chaos. Just peace.
We stayed there for over an hour, sipping our coffee, sharing fries, and letting the night unfold slowly. Before we left, we took a quick selfie under the fairy lights—tired faces, big smiles, and sleepy eyes.
Sometimes, the best memories aren’t made in big, expensive places.
They’re made at midnight, in a little cafe by the side of the road, with coffee in one hand and your favorite person and laughing over a game of Snakes and Ladders.
How wonderful it is to be a child, even just for a short while.