I shifted impatiently from one foot to another, scanning the crowd outside Cosy Café. Still no sign of her!

“Ugh, where on earth is Zainab? Seriously, I am sick of her irresponsible attitude. I told her to be on time!” I was mumbling to myself which earned me curious glances from nearby tables.

I had been waiting in the café for half an hour now and in those 30 minutes, I had easily drained three cups of coffee. Now even the waiter knew that I was merely passing my time here and couldn’t bring him anymore benefit than I already had. And so, he was giving me impatient glances.

Slowly and grudgingly, I dragged back the chair and stood up. Paying at the counter, I walked out, all the while craning my neck for any sign of my so-called best friend. I, however, didn’t at all forget to curse my own self for forgetting my cellphone at home, otherwise by now I would have called her at least a hundred times.

I had to buy a few books from the nearby store and so instead of driving straight back home, I drove to the bookstore. I parked my car outside and proceeded to the marble steps that led to the old but beautifully polished wooden door. I casually glanced at the café beside the bookshop and jumped! Something had come up in my mind just now.

Running at full speed inside the café, bumping into people, shoving stuff here and there, I went behind a girl who had her back to me and was busy on her cell phone. I grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around. Before she could recover from the shock or even utter a scream, I took the cellphone from her hands!

Zainab glanced at me and her eyes went wide.

“You...! I have been waiting here like an idiot since the past 45 minutes and you turned up now. And what a convenient way to inform me of your presence,” she started her lecture through gritted teeth.

“Miss Zainab, did you bother to remember which café had we agreed to meet at?” I asked patiently.

“It was ‘Cosy Café’,” she said, “I remember your exact words. Zainab I will meet you at the Cosy Cafe. The one beside the baker....” her voice trailed off as she nervously glanced outside the glass wall.

“Yes, exactly... so?” I asked sweetly.

“But I checked before entering, there was a bakery beside it. How did the bookstore appear here?” she mumbled confused.

“Oh, did I tell you I brought it with me, you know squeezed in the car,” I replied annoyingly.

“By the way, where is your mobile, I have been calling you since forever?” she asked.

Embarrassed, I had nothing to reply and she guessed it right. Then both of us laughed. I had to forgive her, because she is my best buddy, and one has to forgive and forget the stupid mistakes others make. And I hadn’t done the wisest thing either by forgetting my cellphone at home.

“Now if you are done ranting, may we please order a cup of coffee. I seriously have a severe headache,” she said as she pulled out the chair beside her for me to sit.

‘A fourth cup of coffee!’ the thought totally frightened me.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 29th, 2019