Chapter 3

After opening the trunk of my car, I proceeded to place the things that I had earlier packed up from my office in a careful way. With a heavy heart, I realized that this would be the last time I would be doing so. After all, I had just resigned from my job and had no obligations to return.

As I settled into the driver's seat, I contemplated how I would break the news to my best friend, Farrah. She was my go-to person for everything and I knew that she would be the perfect sounding board for my decision. With a deep breath, I took out my phone from my bag and dialed her number.

"Hey girl," Farrah's high-pitched voice chimed through the receiver. "Why did you call at this hour? It's not so common from a devotional worker like you."

I chuckled at her greeting, feeling grateful for her light-heartedness. "Are you busy right now?" I asked, not wanting to interrupt her during a hectic time at her coffee shop.

Farrah was a successful entrepreneur who ran a popular coffee shop near a university. The shop was always bustling with students and she often had her hands full managing the daily operations. Despite this, she always made time for me, and I knew that I could count on her for support during these difficult times.

"No, it's still class hours, so I don't have to handle too many customers," she responded while briefly addressing someone in the background who may have been a customer. "Why? Do you need anything right now?"

"I'll come to your coffee shop," I said, plugging my phone into my car's screen so I could talk to her on loudspeaker. "Could you make me a drink? It is somewhat hot outside right now. After checking the forecast for today, I realized that the temperature is almost high enough to fry an egg on the pavement.” I continued, attempting to bring some lightheartedness to the conversation by saying something humorous.

Farrah let out a chuckle. "Sure thing. I'll prepare you a matcha latte," she said, teasing me knowing that it wasn't my favorite drink.

"Then no life updates for today then," I said in a playful tone, threatening her.

"Whatever, matcha hater," she replied, and then hung up the call.

I couldn't help but crack a chuckle to myself, knowing that she would most likely make my usual Iced Americano beverage instead. She always knew exactly what I wanted.

It took me about a quarter of an hour to get to the coffee shop, but getting there was well worth the effort. As soon as I walked inside the coffee shop, my senses were assaulted by the enticing aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans and the soothing sound of quiet conversation, which together created an environment that was conducive to relaxation. 

The minimalist design of the wooden tables and chairs, combined with the muted blue walls, gave the space an organic feel, while decorative plants added a touch of greenery. 

The chalkboard menu and vintage books on the shelf added a whimsical touch to the aesthetic.

The glass display case at the counter was overflowing with delectable desserts that were almost too gorgeous to eat. Flaky croissants, buttery scones, and a variety of colored macarons were neatly piled up on a tray. The aroma of freshly made pastries blended with the rich coffee aroma, making it difficult to resist the urge to indulge in a sweet treat.

Farrah greeted me with a warm hug as if we didn't meet two days ago. "I missed you Zavi." she said, almost squeaking. She gave me a nickname because she said that 'Zara' was too professional.

She has always been an affectionate friend whilst on the other side I'm not the showy type of person. Farrah and I have different styles when it comes to showing affection. She's more outgoing and expressive, while I'm more reserved and subtle.

Farrah and I sat down at a table near the glass wall, overlooking the gate of the university near the café. As she gave me my drink, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I watched the students walk by, immersed in their own activities.

As I sipped at my coffee, Farrah looked at me with concern, "Is everything alright? You look troubled." she said with a hint of concern in her voice. "What is it?" she said curiously, she knows me too well. 

Despite our differences in terms of expressing affection, Farrah and I had always been close friends. She could sense that something was on my mind and asked me what was troubling me. Knowing that I valued my work and didn't like to be interrupted during office hours, she was curious as to why I had asked to meet up during work hour.

I took another sip at the cold americano and composed myself to expose the news. "I resigned." I said and tried to estimate what her reaction would be.

Farrah's expression changed from concern to surprise, "What? Why? Did something happen at work?" she said with a troubled tone.

A feeling of unease began to take hold of me as I sat across from Farrah, who had her hand extended toward me in an attempt to console me. I had resigned from my position not too long ago, and while I wasn't upset by the fact that I was now unemployed, I was concerned about the factors that were contributing to my pleasure. Had I lost my interest in the field, or was I just relieved to be free from a job that was making me feel like I was suffocating?

Farrah's expression was one of bewilderment as she stared at me, and her forehead was pinched in worry. "What do you mean, Zavi? I had the impression that you were really into that. You put in a lot of effort to get hired by that company, and now it seems like you've just thrown it all away."

I stuttered over my words, unsure of how to properly convey how I was feeling. "At first, I really liked doing it. However, the fact that some people disliked me despite the fact that I tried to do my best made me feel uneasy. I don't want to cause any inconvenience to other people."

Farrah's grip on my hand became increasingly firm, and I could see the sympathy in her eyes. "Don't quit because of the fact that some people don't like you when you've achieved success. That's an encouraging indication that you're giving it your all, so keep it up! Those who are envious of your success will never stop hating you because of it.

Her remarks caused me to pause. It's possible that she was right. Since I was in middle school, I'd known that this was the route I wanted to take. I had put in a lot of hard work to accomplish my objectives, but as I sat there contemplating everything, I couldn't help but wonder if the path I was on was still the best one for me.

I responded with an unsure tone, "I don't know, Farrah," as my voice was weighed down by doubt. "Perhaps I'm just not making myself clear. But... I just don't think it's the same anymore. Like I'm meant to be doing something different."

The hardness in Farrah's gaze began to fade, and she leaned in closer to me while speaking in a hushed tone. "Zavi, pay attention to the voice of your heart. It will point you in the right direction so that you can get there."

As I was leaving our meeting, her remarks kept playing over and over in my head. Pay attention to your instincts. It was a straightforward statement, but one that came across as a rescue line. I was unsure of where my journey would take me, but I was certain that in order to be successful, I needed to have faith in myself and listen to what my heart told me to do, regardless of where that might go.