As the tall guy was about to leave, uncertainty gripped me. I dashed after him, desperate to halt his departure.
“Mr…!” I called out urgently just as he reached the threshold of the cafe.
He paused, turning back to me with a quizzical look in his eyes, silently questioning my interruption.
Summoning every ounce of resolve, I approached him, each step a struggle to conjure up a convincing reason to detain him.
Special Offer
With a final, hesitant step, I blurted out, “There’s a special offer…”
He stared at me expectantly, waiting for me to elaborate.
Summoning my courage, I continued, “If you purchase a coffee right now, you’ll receive another one… along with a complimentary sandwich.”
As the words left my mouth, I inwardly cringed, hoping my impromptu offer sounded enticing enough.
“Do you prefer to dine in or take out?” I inquired, hoping to seal the deal.
After a moment’s consideration, he replied, “I’ll dine in.”
Concerned about the time, he inquired, “Will it take long?”
“Just 10 minutes,” I reassured him.
“Okay,” he acquiesced, returning to his seat.
When you think fast and smart, you’ve got the winning formula for the game!
Breathing a sigh of relief, I quickly dialed Albert. “Are you on your way?”
“I’ll be there in 10 minutes,” he confirmed.
Relieved, I set about preparing the sandwich and coffee.
Something, Something
My nosy colleague spotted the tall man still hanging around and couldn’t resist poking her nose in. “Why’s he still here?” she asked with a smirk. “Something fishy’s going on!”
“He just wants another coffee and a sandwich,” I replied, trying to keep my cool as I focused on making his order.
She couldn’t resist stirring the pot again. “Ahem, ahem, something’s definitely going on,” she teased, clearly implying something fishy in her language. I couldn’t stand her insinuations. I knew she’d used that same line before, trying to link me with Zidan. But I shut her down when I found out and told her we were just friends. She even confessed she had a crush on Zidan and wanted my help. I lied and said he was taken by someone else because I didn’t think she was right for him.
My mind wandered to what I’d do with the reward money. TV? Fridge? I was lost in my thoughts and accidentally messed up the sandwich by adding whipping cream. I had to start over from scratch!
When I finally delivered the sandwich and coffee to him, he gave a polite thank you. But as I walked away, I could see my colleague still mouthing off about “something, something.”
When you know the truth, what others think of you is just noise in the background.
Under Control
The tall guy has taken around 10 minutes to finish the sandwich and coffee.
Amidst my panic, a wave of relief washed over me when I spotted Albert at the door.
“He’s the guy,” I pointed at the tall man. Without hesitation, Albert seized him by the collar and ushered him outside. I hurried behind, eager to witness the unfolding drama.
Albert’s blows rained down on the culprit, a testament to his remarkable strength. As the tall man slumped, barely conscious, he began to spill the beans, confessing to his misdeeds and implicating someone from our college.
With the situation under control, Albert bundled the culprit into the car, accompanied by two others. He then turned to me, business-like.
“Does Google Pay work with the same number?” he inquired.
I nodded in affirmation. “Yes.”
“Okay, paid. 25,000,” he stated, almost briskly. With a quick “Thank you,” he started to leave.
“Thank you,” I replied in kind, barely containing my excitement as my phone chimed with the notification of the payment. Grinning from ear to ear, I realized in that moment that happiness truly can come from unexpected sources, sometimes in abundance.
In this limited world, happiness is unlimited—and that’s happy news!
WhatsApp Message
Upon returning to the cafe, I found my curious colleague eagerly awaiting my explanation. “Who was that? What was that fight outside?” she inquired with a mix of concern and intrigue, even suggesting a “love triangle?”
Seriously? That’s what she deduced from a mere scuffle? She really needs to lay off those romantic dramas.
I replied tersely, “Nothing. The tall guy was a thief.”
Her shock was palpable. “What? How come?” she gasped, as though personally acquainted with the culprit. But I couldn’t linger; I was already running behind schedule. Grabbing my bag, I made to leave.
“Let’s go together, just give me five minutes,” she pleaded.
“I’m running late,” I protested.
“Two minutes, please,” she insisted.
With a resigned sigh, I agreed to wait.
As I idled away the time, I began browsing online for TVs and fridges. But my train of thought was interrupted by a WhatsApp message—a tempting offer for a correspondence course for 11th and 12th, with two live classes per month, all for 25,000 rupees. Suddenly, my focus shifted. This course could be a game-changer, opening doors to a career in teaching.
Caught in a whirlwind of indecision, I struggled to make a choice.
If something leaves you stuck like a statue, looping over and over in your mind, there’s definitely something worth considering.
“Let’s go,” my colleague announced, emerging from the cafe.
“You go ahead. I’ll join you later; I have something to finish,” I informed her.
She shot me a puzzled look, silently questioning my unusual behavior.
“I’ll explain tomorrow. Please, just go,” I pleaded. Reluctantly, she acquiesced and departed.
Surprise Opportunity
I made the call to express my interest in joining the course. A lady answered and swiftly provided the account details for payment along with a form to fill out. Within 15 minutes, I was officially enrolled.
“I’m continuing my studies,” I rejoiced inwardly, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
When an opportunity is so irresistible that you can’t even blink, consider it your biscuit. Grab it and start munching!
My phone rang, and it was my mom on the line.
“When are we going to buy the TV and fridge?” she asked eagerly, her excitement palpable. I explained the situation to her.
“That’s a good step,” she offered her support. “Some other door will open for the TV and fridge,” she reassured me. Her happiness for my progress was infectious, but I couldn’t shake off a slight pang of guilt for not being able to buy those things for her right away.
Nevertheless, I reminded myself, “Some other door will open.”
In this vast world, there are countless opportunities waiting to be discovered. The doors that are meant to open will do so in due time. So, there’s no need to worry.
Last Day
After a month had passed,
“Aya, two coffees please,” Zidan, as usual, ordered two coffees.
“Coming right up,” I replied with a smile as I went to prepare the order.
Taking my seat, I mentioned to him, “Today marks our last class.”
“Yeah, I’m feeling confident this time. I think I’ll score well, and tonight I’ll review all your classes,” he said with determination.
It had been a month of intensive classes, and tomorrow was Zidan’s exam. He had diligently recorded all the sessions and seemed well-prepared for the test.
“I’m proud to have been your teacher,” I told him sincerely.
“And I’m proud to be your student,” he replied warmly.
“I’m proud to serve you both,” chimed in my colleague, adding a touch of humor to the moment. Laughter filled the atmosphere as we shared this light-hearted exchange.
When we add value to any situation, it’s a win-win, no matter how big or small the contribution.
Good News
With Zidan’s exam over and him reporting that it went well, I was relieved. My own studies were progressing smoothly. However, it had been a month since Zidan last visited the café as he was out of town. I found myself missing our coffee breaks together, but we made up for it with daily phone calls and chats.
During one such call, Zidan shared exciting news—he was flying to the UK in three months. His life seemed full of plans and adventures, and I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. I felt a kind of stuck in my life. Don’t know what’s next.
Envy often creeps in when we feel stuck in the same spot, watching others move forward.
Then, one day, Zidan burst into the café, breathless with excitement. “I have two pieces of news for you, one good and one very, very good. Which one do you want to hear first?” he asked, his eyes shining with anticipation.
“I’m not sure, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed,” I replied, thrilled to see him after his month-long absence.
[To be continued]
4 lessons you can learn from this chapter 3
- When you really want something, you have to act fast and smart, just like Aya did when she came up with the idea to keep the tall man at the cafe a little longer by offering him a deal.
- Some people are always watching and ready to make comments about what you do. Instead of getting into arguments, it’s often better to just ignore them, like Aya did with her nosy colleague.
- There are lots of chances out there, but it’s important to know which ones are right for you and how to grab them. You have to be smart about recognizing and taking advantage of these opportunities.
- The more you try to improve your own life and help others, the more you’ll succeed and feel fulfilled. Contributing positively to the world around you can lead to even more good things coming your way.
6 Signs of a Great Opportunity:
In life, opportunities often present themselves when we least expect them. Recognizing these chances and knowing whether they’re worth pursuing can be crucial for personal and professional growth. Through the story of Aya, we’ll explore six signs that indicate a great opportunity and how she navigated unexpected paths to pursue her dreams.
- Follow Your Excitement: When something new comes your way, pay attention to how it makes you feel. Excitement and a positive gut feeling can be strong indicators that an opportunity is worth exploring. Take Aya, for example. She never imagined herself pursuing further education to become a teacher until she received a WhatsApp message about a correspondence course for 11th and 12th grades. Despite her initial disbelief, Aya couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement at the prospect of taking steps towards her dream career.
- See the Growth Potential: Great opportunities often offer the chance for personal and professional development. Aya recognized the growth potential of the correspondence course. Although she had doubts about her financial crisis, she saw it as an opportunity to acquire new skills and qualifications that could pave the way for a fulfilling career in education.
- Weigh the Pros and Cons: Before diving into any opportunity, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons. Aya likely considered factors like the time commitment, financial investment, and balancing studies with her existing responsibilities. Despite the potential challenges, the opportunity to pursue her dream career outweighed the risks.
- Look at What Others are Doing: Observing the experiences of others can provide valuable insights into the potential of an opportunity. Aya have seen friends who pursued further education and achieved positive outcomes. Their success stories likely influenced her decision to consider the correspondence course as a viable path towards her goals.
- Match Your Skills and Values: An opportunity that aligns with your skills and values is more likely to lead to success and fulfillment. While teaching initially seemed like an impossible dream for Aya, she recognized that her passion for helping others learn and grow aligned perfectly with the values of a career in education.
- Grab Rare Chances: Some opportunities only come around once in a lifetime. Recognizing the significance of these rare moments is crucial for seizing the moment. For Aya, the opportunity to pursue further education and take steps towards her dream career was unexpected but invaluable. By seizing the opportunity, she took a significant step towards turning her dreams into reality.
So, keep your eyes open, stay open to new possibilities, and embrace the opportunities that come your way.
Question for Readers:
What unexpected opportunity has come your way, and how did you recognize its potential for personal or professional growth? Share your experience and insights in the comments below!