A man sitting at a table in the ABC cafe called out, “Two coffees, please!” I peeked out from the kitchen and replied, “Coming!” It was Zidan who placed the second order, saying, “Hey, Aya, two coffees please.”
“Hey, Zidan, I just finished my coffee now. I don’t want the second one,” I told him.
“Sorry, no excuse, two coffee please,” he insisted with a big smile.
The Start of an Unlikely Friendship
I work as a waitress at ABC cafe, where I meet all sorts of people every day—some new, some regulars, some nice, and some not so much. Zidan is one of our regulars, and he falls into the nice category.
I met him about a year ago, and we hit it off right away. He always insists that I have coffee with him during my break. He orders two coffees and pays for both, so I always end up spending my break time with him.
I never imagined that friendships could happen anywhere, and I never realized that simply being kind or offering support to someone feeling down could lead to one of the strongest friendships I’ve ever had.
A Shared Connection
I still remember the first day he came to our cafe. He ordered coffee, but he was with a girl who broke up with him right there. He looked really upset, and she left soon after. He sat there with his coffee, looking glum. I went over with my own coffee, sat next to him, and started sipping away.
To cheer him up, I told him about this crazy breakup story that had happened just two days before at the cafe. This girl ordered three coffees and poured all of them onto her boyfriend, who ended up screaming in pain because they were scalding hot. He had to be rushed to the hospital. I told him about other similar stories that had happened here. He listened, laughed, and said, “Thank God, that sucks. My breakup is definitely better than that!”
Since then, he’s been coming during my break, and we always have coffee together. It’s become sort of our thing.
When we truly enjoy someone’s company, we naturally make time for them. Chatting over coffee is just as addictive as the coffee itself.
Bridging the Gap
We’ve developed this routine where I share stories from the coffee house, and he shares his college stories while we sip our coffees. It’s become a comforting ritual for us. I’ll tell him about the quirky customers we encounter, the funny incidents that happen behind the counter, and even the occasional drama that unfolds in the cafe. In return, he’ll share anecdotes from his college life—his classes, his friends, the crazy parties, and all the adventures he’s had. It’s amazing how much we have to talk about, and our coffee breaks have become the highlight of my day. It’s not just about the coffee anymore; it’s about the friendship and the stories we share over those steaming cups.
When people from different backgrounds come together, they have plenty to discuss and can learn from each other’s diverse experiences. This helps bridge the gaps in our lives and fills them with meaning.
Seizing an Opportunity
Thanks to him, I was getting a taste of college life, something I never had the chance to experience myself. Once upon a time, it was my dream to go to college, to have that typical college experience with classes, friends, and all the adventures that come with it. But now, it feels like an impossible dream. Yet, through his stories and anecdotes, I get a glimpse into that world I once longed for. It’s bittersweet in a way—fulfilling yet tinged with a hint of sadness knowing that it’s a world I may never truly be a part of.
Sometimes, we catch glimpses of the world we’ve missed by looking through the lens of someone else’s experiences.
An Unexpected Offer
After delivering the coffee to his table, I sat down with him and asked, “So what’s up? You look a bit down.” I knew he was studying for his MBA and was close to finishing. Once he’s done with his degree, I doubt we’ll even see each other anymore.
“I find it hard to study, just one month left, and I don’t think I can clear the exam. Already I have a backlog from the previous semester,” he sighed, sipping his coffee with disappointment.
I sipped my coffee thoughtfully. “Maybe I can help you,” I offered.
Breaking Boundaries
He laughed, looking at me, clearly surprised. He knew I only had a 10th-grade education due to financial struggles at home. How could I possibly teach an MBA student?
I widened my smile and went inside the cafe, returning with some notebooks. “I’ve completed all these assignments, notes, and more over the past two years. I’ve been helping MBA students finish their notes, and I earn a small amount from this,” I explained, stacking the materials in front of him.
“You never mentioned this before,” he said, flipping through the assignments.
“It wasn’t a big deal,” I replied modestly, sitting back down.
“But how?” he asked, his voice filled with confusion.
A Dream Deferred, But Not Forgotten
“How can a 10th pass girl handle MBA assignments, right?” I guessed his unspoken questions. He nodded.
“I’ve always loved studying. When I was in school, my classmates used to come to me for help. I wanted to be a teacher, but life had other plans. With the help of YouTube and all, I’ve been able to grasp all the concepts,” I sighed heavily.
After my father passed away suddenly from a heart attack, I became the breadwinner for my family. I have two younger sisters in school, and I want to help them fulfill their dreams, even if mine were shattered.
An Offer of Generosity
To test my knowledge, Zidan asked me about various marketing topics, and I answered confidently. Then, I asked to see his chapters and began teaching him the first topic. Throughout my explanation, his mouth remained open in astonishment.
“Look, Aya, I’ll pay you 10k. Teach me for two hours every day for a month,” he offered. “If that’s not enough, I can pay you more.”
“10K?” I was shocked, immediately thinking of all the things I could do for my family with that money. “I could buy bicycles for my sisters, new uniforms, and shoes!” I exclaimed excitedly. With my current earnings, I could barely cover our expenses, including rent, medical bills, groceries, school fees, and transportation.
“Not enough?” he asked, clearly aware of the financial struggles I faced.
“More than enough, actually. I think 5k would be sufficient,” I replied. He was a friend, after all, and I didn’t feel comfortable asking for too much.
“No, here’s your money, 10k,” he insisted, taking out his phone and making the payment.
“I have to go now. See you tomorrow at 5 pm. Your shift ends at 5, right?” he asked.
“Yes, but could we make it 5:30? I’ll be available from 5:30 to 7:30,” I requested. He nodded.
Dreams may evolve with time or fade momentarily due to circumstances, but they never truly vanish. Instead, they find new paths to shine and reappear in your life.
5 lessons you can learn from this chapter
- Friendship knows no boundaries: Despite coming from different backgrounds and having different life experiences, Aya and Zidan form a strong bond over their shared moments at the cafe.
- Compassion fosters connection: Aya’s compassionate gesture of sitting with Zidan during his breakup, offering comfort and sharing stories, serves as the catalyst for their friendship. It highlights how genuine empathy and support can form the foundation for meaningful relationships.
- Opportunities can come from unexpected places: Aya’s willingness to offer help to Zidan with his MBA studies leads to an unexpected opportunity for her to earn extra income and support her family.
- Dreams may change, but they never fade: Aya’s dream of becoming a teacher may have been deferred due to life circumstances, but her passion for learning and teaching never diminishes.
- Generosity and gratitude go hand in hand: Zidan’s generous offer to pay Aya for tutoring him reflects his gratitude for her friendship and assistance. Likewise, Aya’s gratitude for his kindness is evident in her willingness to help him with his studies and her humble acceptance of his financial support.