It’s like bringing an enlarging table mirror so close to your face that you see all the flaws, big pores, zits about to form and little hairs sticking out from places they should not. It’s like a detailed book of your face – kind of like Facebook.
For a good while now, Facebook has been the center of all coffee talk conversations; and for a longer while, I have been ignoring it.
“He got engaged, said Sarah in distress to her friend. Shaking her head in disbelief, her friend said: “Sarah, it’s just a photo and it does not look real.
“Eh? Did you see how he has his hands around her? Exactly the same way he did with me; and his eyes.
Putting down her coffee mug, the friend continued, “Don’t you remember when I got married the way the photographer asked me to stand in a certain way, and Ahmed to hold me? It’s not real, it’s just a photo that he has on Facebook to upset you.
Playing with her nails, Sarah replied, “Leila, he did not even put the photo up, she did of course – all the ones in which she looks gorgeous.
My coffee finally arrived and I sipped it quickly as I took in my surroundings.
“Did you see Hani? He’s gone mad khalas, Yasmine told her friends in self-pity. “He called me today and said all the Sahel [North Coast] photos you have up on Facebook are to come down. Can you believe? she continued.
“Why? That is so out of character, though. Hani actually told you that?
Nodding, Yasmine said, “He said my fekhad [thighs] and dera3at [arms] are all over the place!
The girls broke up in laughter and I looked around for an interesting side of the mirror.
A couple sat in body language harmony, drinking coffee and giggling, random hand stokes here and there.
“Doudi, habibti, I can’t believe that if it weren’t for Facebook we would never have this. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.
With a smile, she embraced her partner warmly.
“You know I go crazy now when my line at work is down and I can’t see your picture. Facebook is addictive.
Looking down at my coffee I saw the reflection of my face and remembered Facebook and all it exposes on your life to the general public, the good, the bad and the ugly. Much like the mirror I have in my bathroom.
“Rami, I have to tell you this Facebook story that is much stronger than ours.
Looking away from his paper Rami looked up at Lara and smiled, “Sure babe.
“Remember my friend from kindergarten that I found through Facebook, Heba; the one who went to school with me before the Gulf war?
Rami nodded without looking up again, just letting go of one side of the paper to free a hand to pick up the coffee.
She stopped talking and looked at him for what seemed like a very long time.
“Rami, I am trying very hard to tell you something here and you are not even listening.
Looking up momentarily he squeezed her hand and asked, “What about your friend, dear? before he went back to his paper.
Taking a deep breath, she continued, “Well she had this huge crush on a guy we went to school with, his name was Gasser, we were kids remember?
“Anyway, ever since the war she has been dreaming about him in a goatee and balding hair, and she has tried to locate him ever since. After having no luck, she tried to stop thinking about it, but he would not leave her dreams.
Rami had put the paper down and was now entertained, Lara sipped on her coffee and smiled.
“She received a message on Facebook, he found her and he looks exactly like he did in her dreams.
“Wow. Are they both single? asked Rami.
Making a duck face Lara said, “I don’t know, but does it really matter? They decided to meet up in the UK on her birthday next week. I am so excited for her.
He went back to his paper and I decided that was enough zooming in on coffee talk for the day.
