I was having lunch in a small café—or maybe it was a restaurant, or hotel… I honestly don’t know. The place was empty and quiet. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that lets you hear the owner’s thoughts arguing with themselves.
Then a young woman walked in, wearing Bluetooth earphones in her eyes—well, almost. She was that glued to her phone. Completely unbothered by the world around her. For a moment, I thought she’d trip over a chair and make a scene. But she found a seat by the window and continued scrolling like the screen owed her peace.
The owner, a middle-aged man with the politeness of someone who’s had a long day, went over to her. She didn’t even remove her earphones.
“I’m waiting for a friend first,” she said flatly.
Less than ten minutes later, her friend arrived—cheerful, lively, and loud enough to fill the silence that had settled earlier. They ordered lunch.
Then came the conversation. Loud. Effortless. The kind that makes you forget your food for a moment.
Lady One: My home is boring. I wonder what Mama Abu is still doing here.
Lady Two: She’s still around?
Lady One: Yes, she’s overstayed. I’m suffocating in that house. I had to leave her with the help just so I could breathe.
Lady Two: No, she’s only been there a few days. She came to see her grandson. What’s the hurry in her leaving?
Lady One: She’s choking me. Two days were enough. I don’t like her anyway.
Lady Two: But why? She’s calm, keeps to herself, even watches her own TV quietly. What exactly is choking you?
Lady One: Everything. She has her home. She should go back. I just dislike her. It’s natural.
Lady Two: What’s natural in that? That woman has always been kind. She even pleaded with Abu not to throw you out the last time you fought. What makes you dislike her?
Lady One: I didn’t ask her to plead for me. Abu loves me and he would’ve called me back anyway. You can defend her all you want, but one day, you’ll have a mother-in-law and you’ll understand what natural dislike is.
Lady Two: You’re lucky Mama Abu is calm. If it were my mother, you wouldn’t have married my brother with your lazy slay queen ways and your lifestyle full of complaints.
Lady One: Seriously, babe… lucky your brother isn’t my type.
Lady Two: Honestly, Abu deserves better. You’re ungrateful, yet you can’t lift a finger for anything. One day, Mama Abu will open his eyes. You’ll be out here hustling, wishing for a mother-in-law like her and you’ll never find one.
Lady One: Mscheeew. Let’s change the topic. I didn’t leave my house for you to annoy me.
Lady Two: I’m just being a good friend. I don’t want you to regret later.
Lady One: Whatever.
They switched to talking about a new soap on Zee World, laughing as if nothing had happened.
That was my cue to leave.
Some stories you don’t interrupt, you just observe and walk away with them.