I remember my first cup of expensive coffee was in this particular store that sounded like some herbal medicine, the kind that you would drink when “all else fails”. I was with my cousin. She’s a big time “gimikera”, the kind that spend nights partying with friends. Fortunately on that night, it was just the two of us. After having dinner in this fancy restaurant, she asked me to have some coffee. I did not argue though at the back of my mind, I never wanted to buy a coffee that’s worth a hundred bucks.

When we arrived at the coffee shop, I looked around and saw people having conversations over cups (others had tall glasses) of caffeine-filled drinks. I enjoyed the view and told myself why I did not do such a thing before. I was very frugal. I was contemplating about the past when my cousin tapped my shoulder and handed me a tall glass of iced coffee. We sat on a table at the corner of the store and spent the night chatting, catching up on each other’s lives. Between sips of coffee, I remembered my college days when I didn’t have a cup of expensive coffee solely because I didn’t want to pay much.

Before we left the coffee shop, I looked up and saw the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf signage. That moment was memorable because that’s the first time I had a taste of expensive coffee and it was free! Sometimes you won’t know the essence of something unless you’ll have a taste of it. At Coffee Bean, it’s not just about drinking coffee, it’s about making connections. Apparently, people go to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf stores not just to get their caffeine fix but to have good conversations and bond with each other. My Coffee Bean experience with my cousin has proven just that. It has also changed my perception about expensive coffee. And now, when I look back at it, I can’t help but smile.

Note: The story above is my official entry to the My Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Story Contest. You can join, too! For more details, click here.