“He’s become a millionaire! screamed Hani to Waleed.
I looked up from my coffee space out to find a group of young men in the far corner having what seemed to be an argument, so I ordered my first coffee and moved closer to the scene of action.
“La? Waleed said pushing the table back at his friend,
Motioning with his two hands, he said: “I saw it with my own two eyes, the bank statement.
“I so envy him, Waleed said laughing.
“Oh god did you see what my brother did to my car? Lotfy said putting his phone down.
Raising their eyebrows, his friends asked, “What?
“He crashed it, the whole side is ruined.
With a face filled with sorrow, “Ma3lesh ya Lotfy, at least he was spared, said Hani, and hitting him hard on his thigh, he added, “But you’re a millionaire now ya Basha.
Hee hee, “So are you Hani in Zim dollars!
Looking around, I found a mother and daughter sitting not too far from me. The mother is your typical businesswoman style, formal attire, glasses, paper in one hand, phone in the other.
“Have something to eat, she ordered, looking up at her daughter, then back at the paper, no smile to complete the “business picture. This all led me to conclude that she was probably a manager, working long hours with sleezy men.
“Ma, I’m bored, and you seem to find what is happening in the world more entertaining than what is happening in your daughter’s life, the young timid girl sighed while looking at her mother for some consolation.
Getting no response, the girl got up to go to the toilet.
The weather was so hot outside that just looking out the window was enough to make me feel faint. So I ordered another coffee.
The girl returned and as she sat down, her mother asked, “Maya you were saying something, no?
“Yes Ma, can’t we leave, you seem to be busy.
Moving the paper away from her face, she said, “You know dear this is our time together, I have to cancel so many meetings just to spend this time with you, so please if you don’t have anything nice to say, just don’t say anything.
“But Mum there are things I need to talk to you about, you just don’t ever seem to care. Without looking up at her daughter, the woman continued: “Dear, you have your friends for that, call Nada or something after we are done.
A young couple walked in with a pile of wedding, travel and lifestyle magazines.
They sat down next to me. That was when I noticed that they were hot, sweaty and grumpy.
“What will you have?
A newlywed couple I thought to myself.
“I will have an orange juice, she answered while flipping through a magazine of honeymoon spots.
“Look at this; Antigua or how about the Maldives? Lina asked pushing the magazine towards Hazem.
“Lina I told you, I have a surprise for you, and you said you don’t like surprises so choose anything I don’t really care anymore.
Looking up at Hazem, she replied: “So what is the point of getting married if you don’t care about what furniture we choose, or where we go?
“These are details.
Looking at the magazine in front of her she said, “But this is where I have wanted to go forever, that or Africa.
“Listen Lina, why don’t we talk about this with your mum, she is easier to talk to, and perhaps we can go to Sharm El-Sheikh, save the money for having a baby.
Slamming the magazine shut, she said: “Who said I want to have a baby right away? “Darling, I am turning 37. I don’t want to wait any longer, besides, you love kids.
My phone rang, and I ordered my coffee “to go.
