I don’t leave my house very often yet, I do visit that coffee shop when I need a break. I read one of my favourite novels sitting there or penning down my random thoughts while sipping on my cup of mocha. Not only this relaxes me and help me tranquilize my everyday worries, but also sow the seeds of a new poem or a story to take shape.
It’s my favourite spot in the café, away from the crowds yet close enough to watch them with interest and wonder, allowing me to enter my “Cheshire mood.” In a Cheshire mood, when I am, I remember one of the words from a novel: “a good writer knows human nature.” As a result, I enjoy watching them from a calm corner, in the middle of the busy places such as coffee shops or shopping malls. I like to choose a few faces from the crowd, knitting my characters out of them, there itself, at that precise moment of their life, and build stories in my head.
Why do I choose a coffee shop? Well, I have my own simple reasons. Firstly it’s my affinity for the coffee, secondly, a short escape from the family and household chores. Every day, you meet new people. It allows you to dress attractively. You can have adventures on the way to the cafeteria and back to home.
I was about to begin reading it when something caught my eyes. A wiry girl sat a few tables over from me. She couldn’t have been older than 16, had long hair, was sipping her juice and eating a cookie, but most importantly, she was reading. The girl didn’t move her gaze away from the book, and when she went to grab the cookie or beverage, she was completely glazed over. That situation baffled me. You hardly see youngsters so engrossed in a book and enjoying the read these days.
Despite frequent visits to this Caffè, I had never seen this girl before. I was perplexed by the moment I saw that she appeared to be enjoying herself.
Despite this, as I saw the sight, my happiness didn’t last long. A guy sitting at another table with a buddy suddenly barged at the girl’s table without even asking her.
Before she could emerged out from her world, he almost blocked her with his lusty gaze.
- Do you like to read? - He asked looking directly into her eyes.
-Yes, a lot. - She answered in a low voice, looked ofended though.
-But a cute little girl like you shouldn't need books to do things, right?
-He chuckled.
I was disgusted.
-“Come on, sit with us, lets's have fun.”
He gave one more laugh.
At that very moment, I was mad with rage, and it appeared that she felt the same way. Before she could respond, the man continued his stream of inanity.
I’m not sure where the thought came from, but I was taken by it and decided to do something. I stood up and headed over to her table.
-I can't believe you're here! I was searching for you everywhere! - I told her, hoping she would understand.
-Ohh! Didn't I tell you that I would read a book in the cafeteria. - Luckily, she understood my gesture and replicated.
As soon as she spoke to me, I gave the jerk guy a nasty look and responded:
-And you?
-I… Nobody… I didn't know she is with her mom… Sorry, ma'am.
-First, I'm not her mother. Second, even if I were, you should not apologize to me for harassing a girl. Now... Before I call the cops, apologize to HER.
Everything I said was in a threatening tone.
The specks and some grey hair helped to increase the effect, despite the height being a factor that reduced it (Chuckles..).
He looked nervous, mummered something and left hurriedly to my relief.
I capped my coffee to go. She looked at me gratefully and said, “Thank you for this, have a nice day.” I assured her with a wink and smiled as we walked out the café.
What would you have done if you had witnessed such a thing?
Related post: Things to do before you turn 30
This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop
‘This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by BakezbyDaizy.‘
This was an apt move from your side. Often people are invading other’s privacy and you need to be strong enough to say NO.
Perfectly handled. I’d have done something similar.
So very cool. I love how the story was building up and the it all became a wonderful personal experience. Great presence of mind. 👍🏻
Shail Thosani says:
Wow! as stated by you, you did have an adventure! Lucky for the girl you were there to help her. Even I love coffee shops and reading books there. The smell of the coffee itself is a relief for me from my stress. If I were there I would have definitely gone to help the girl.