Through the Transparent Icebox

Around this time every year the vibe in this café changes. Up until now, I’d only heard stories, and most of us could simply dream of seeing it happen. But for me, no, I was one of the luckier ones. My existence was timed perfectly for me to be a part of this event, to see the oranges and yellows pop against the cool gray that I’ve seen every single day since I ended up here. The orange hue all around will eventually be accompanied by black as well, for what I believe is the festival where humans celebrate fear. The same wind that had been blowing into the café every time the door was opened now brings along with it a waft of delicious pumpkin. The entire atmosphere had changed. Both the sky and the ground now resemble fire. Crisp wind whistles through the gaps in the windows, noses slowly turn pink, and the entire world seems to turn into a blazing phoenix, one that has lived a long life and is now preparing to be reborn. Cold businessmen who rushed in and out in seconds now stop for a moment to savor their drinks before going about their busy lives. What is it about this time of the year that makes the humans bundle up? The little girl whose eyes lit up at the sight of her apple cider drink wore an adorable woolen scarf and the man who beamed at the barista when she called out his name for him to collect his drink wore the coziest hand knitted beanie. The teenage girl whose sweater matched the cocker-spaniel that came with her stayed an entire afternoon with her dog happily munching on rye bread. Not just in the people who came in, the change in the atmosphere was visible in the people who stood behind the counter as well, the girl who mixed drinks hummed as she did her job now, a little more spring in her step when she entered the café early in the morning. No doubt her excitement for this season rivaled my own, despite her having seen it many more times than me, considering I’d never seen it before.

With warm drinks, warm smiles, and even warmer hugs, Autumn more than lived up to its expectations. For me, this time of the year was a whole new sensory experience. Was that the sound of someone stepping on leaves or was it the crackle of the freshly baked loaf of bread? I could never differentiate. These very leaves first dance across in the air, flutter because of the wind, bring joy to the little kids jumping to catch them, and when they are caught by these kids the happiness on their chubby little faces is absolutely gratifying. And if my limited view of the world in autumn is so beautiful, I cannot even begin to imagine what the world is like outside these four walls. I have no doubt the world shimmers golden during sunset. The old man who came in yesterday, smiling so wide that his eyes narrowed and cheeks reddened, pointed at the sunlight that filtered through the leaves of the trees outside the café. and gleefully exclaimed "Komorebi!”

Just yesterday a group of girls wearing matching gloves came to the counter. They came in all smiles and laughter, posed for pictures with their peppermint white hot chocolate, and left carrying the minty scent. That very evening love blossomed between the two youngsters sharing a classic pumpkin spice latte. They shared secretive smiles and I realized that this was going to last, for I could see the same smiles on the elderly couple two tables over. Another boy with the skateboard under his arm walked in sniffling and shivering, his eyes watering, but the minute he held the warm cider eggnog, his glasses fogged up, his tall frame relaxed and a warmth seemed to envelop him as his eyes fluttered shut and he let out a content sigh.

And how could I forget the toddler who’s bottom lip quivered when he dropped his half-eaten gingerbread cookie on the ground but was immediately quelled by the magical appearance of another cookie which his mom frantically pulled out from the paper bag she carried out of the café. I wasn’t the only one to witness this either. The old man passing by could not hold in his booming laughter at the site and I have strong reason to believe it was contagious because soon enough everyone in the vicinity had a smile on their face too. If only the toddler had not dropped his second cookie and started to bawl much to everyone’s chagrin, it would have been a picture-perfect scene.

I am the exact opposite of what this weather entails, maybe that is why I am so fascinated by it. It's unlikely I’ll be of any use in the coming days. Sometimes I wish someone would order a cold drink, maybe a rosemary spritzer or a pumpkin smoothie, for it would be almost poetic to end my existence by being a part of a drink that was a part of the fantasy that I’d dreamt of for so long but I am content to just witness the fall season. I shall just observe through this transparent wall, enjoy every moment of this wonderful season not just for myself but for my brethren as well, who have dreamed and hoped for so long for this opportunity that I was lucky to get. As an ice cube that had only seen the chilly white and cool blue of my neighbors and the transparent box that held me, Autumn and the colors that came with it were like a sweeping flame that took over the drab world, where apples turned into cider and the pumpkin got the attention they so deserved whether it was the drinks that were made of them, the decorations that were inspired by them or the faces that were carved on them, where the air was no longer biting, but crisp and welcoming, where skies and trees are so lovely that poets are left speechless. I only wonder why it is also called Fall. Is it because humans think the leaves are falling? If that is the case then humans still cannot see the entirety of autumn's beauty, because in autumn the leaves don’t just fall. They soar.