A friend of mine celebrated his birthday today in a fastfood chain, treating the class to a superb meal. Actually, the birthday was really yesterday, but since it was Ash Wednesday yesterday, it is not definitely fitting to have all that food we had earlier.
Well, a slight amiss happened on our way to the fastfood. We all know that the celebrant is prone to change minds and is somewhat unpredictable at times, but this afternoon, he seemed to be channeling through these two unpretty characteristics of his. He kept on either walking ahead of the pack or walking behind us, with the some of the boys of the class, of course. Then, we noticed that they were no longer to be seen, so we waited. We were so pathetic, really. And then they came to view but when they saw us, they ‘retreated’ and made us all felt stupid. We thought that he could have just said that he didn’t want to take us or anything. Tempers rose, aggravated by the long hot walk and the grumbles in our stomachs. Inwardly, I prayed for patience…I really dont fancy getting mad at someone who cant pluck enough courage for something we could have understood right away. Since we were hungry anyway, we decided to pursue the plan, just erased the it’s-on-him part.
When we were in the foodchain, the celebrant and his companions that did us the disappearing act, deliberately walked outside (they had glass windows) and did not even threw a glance at us. Inwardly, I prayed again.
And so, the famished ones (including me), ordered immediately. Those who really counted for a bday treat remained in ther seats looking bad tempered. Then, voila! The celebrant walked in, surprised that we already bought our own food and all. Turned out that he was egged by one of those who were with him to goad us. I really dont know how I could have gotten through that. They continued with the first plan, he bought their meal and was profusely persuading us to tell him what we (the rest who ordered right away) want, and mistakingly took out refusal as being angry or something. We weren’t angry…well almost, but not really.
As always, a few corny jokes later, we were all in good terms with everyone again. As of nothing’s happened…really, it pays off to be with the people you like best for four years. We were all in high spirits, our joy filled the foodchain. We all went home as happy as a cat with an extra tail.
…thank God for that extra ounce of patience…Ü
