I am Riddhima Sharma, a literature fanatic from Nepal, currently residing in Ottawa, Canada. Although I write nonfiction articles for a living, I create fictional work for myself. I have studied communications all my life and have chosen a career as a communication professional.

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"Would you like to join us for lunch? We will be trying out the new vegetarian eatery on Richmond Street."

I got startled when I heard a voice coming from the door. Hava was talking to Britney who passed the offer and I knew that she will be heading toward my office room next. 

"Think quick", I said to myself. I started to analyze the situation. My husband had packed me fried noodles. When I left home for work that morning, I was happy that he had made an effort to prepare my lunch. It was a Wednesday and I had overslept, making lunch would make me late and he knew that.

But there would be a lot of pungent smell coming from the noodles. I was low-key shy to heat it in the office microwave, I wouldn't want the whole floor to smell like a fish market. 

"Hiya, you want to join us for lunch?", I saw Hava's beautiful blue eyes gazing at me. 

"Sure!", I said with a big (fake) smile.

"Awesome, if you haven't already heard, we will be going to the new and popular vegetarian kitchen down the street." 

I did not realize that my big smile had stuck and I was staring at her face. She had big eyes, and bright red lipstick and her hands were upward in the air. I had never known any red-haired woman before and I was staring at her braids. 

"See you down in 5", her eyes were staring at me waiting for an answer. 

I simply smiled and nodded.

She was gone but her perfume had filled my office. I liked the fragrance, it reminded me of the Mist that I wanted to buy from Bath and Body Works last week. My husband had insisted that I buy it but it was $10, and I advised him after we get our first paycheque. 

After all, we were new immigrants in a country where we had to convert everything to our old currency before buying. He had just begun his remote job in an auction house that week. Following that, I started my new job two days ago. 

I grabbed my scarf and credit card and plugged my phone into the charger because I did not want to take it. It was an old phone with the screens cracked, unlike my co-workers who mostly had iPhones. 

Hava and Ashley were already downstairs when I reached. They were talking about Hava's dog and his love for chasing squirrels. They continued the talk and I tagged along pretending to enjoy when in fact I was staring at Ashley's tooth gaps when she was smiling. 

Ashley has a small sharp nose and dark black hair with a few greys. Her eyebrows were thick and although she had flawless skin, she did not like taking care of it. One could see fine wrinkles under her eyes. 

"I have heard so much about this restaurant, especially about the wrap", Hava began the chat as we moved towards the street. 

"Hava always finds out about these new places and makes us go there with her", giggled Ashley. 

Soon we arrived at the restaurant. It was noon and the place was crowded. 

"The restaurant also has a yoga studio upstairs if you want to join Ashley."

"Oh! that explains why are people rushing upstairs with the yoga mats."

I was busy looking at the menu wondering why were all of the foods above $20. 

"You were only paid $20 an hour and cannot start having a lavish lunch before being paid," I told myself but it was too late to back out. 

"Are you ready to order?", a young waitress came to us with her notebook and a pencil. She looked smart in her clean white shirt, neatly folded sleeves and blonde hair perfectly tied in a ponytail. 

"I will have the Zen Buddha Bowl", announced Hava. 

"Cold Korean-style noodles for me", shared Ashley.

"And I want a mix veg wrap with fries on the side."

"For the drinks?"

"Kale smoothie for me." 

"Same for me as well".

I softly spoke, " I will just have the tap water please."

Within 12:15 pm, the restaurant was filled with people barging to have lunch. Some were already drinking wine while others ordered smoothies and rushed to the yoga studio. 

The girls were busy scrolling their phones and I was studying the people around me. 

"Do you know, I am a second-generation immigrant as well. My dad came from Italy but my mother is Israeli." I did not know that. I thought Ashley was a very white name, but I dare not speak about it. I would not know if we can say such a thing or if it was politically incorrect. 

We continued our small talk. She asked me what my husband did and I told her he is writing a research article on Johannes Vermeer's paintings for his office. 

We then started to talk about the famous "Girl with the pearl earring."

When the food arrived it looked right out of a magazine. Set up perfectly on an artisan plate with a few drops of sauce. However, I did not enjoy it. The wrap had pumpkin paste in it which was my least favourite vegetable. As I do not prefer eating vegetarian food and started missing the shrimp which was in my noodles. 

The ketchup that came with the fries was loaded with cinnamon powder and I despised it. 

Luckily, since the quantity of the food was way too much the girls did not hesitate to request takeaway containers. 

The waitress did not bother asking us for dessert. We could barely finish half of our food. 

When Hava requested the cheque, I caught Ashley and her catching a glance. I did not dare to tell them that I hated the food, so I remarked, "The food was lovely, thanks for bringing us here." 

Hava smiled proudly while Ashley agreed with me. 

I had lied because I wanted to fit in. It felt like I was back to my first few weeks of a new high school. I wanted to have friends and tried to blend in with all.

I had always found it very challenging for me to make new friends. Making a new friend in a new country as a married working woman in her early thirties seemed more difficult. 

Everything was part of the process, the initial awkwardness, gradually developing friendship and then finally a comfort zone. I knew that patience was the key but I just wished I could skip to the good part. 

"We wanted to welcome you to the team and this is a welcome lunch so it is on us," announced Hava. 

I was secretly happy but hesitated to agree with her. I wanted to protest but Ashley who was sitting beside me touched my shoulder and smiled, "Welcome to the team". 

Shyly I thanked them and they proceeded to split the bill and pay with their cards. 

When we were walking towards the office, Hava said that they normally bring home-cooked lunch. "You do not need to worry about bringing food that smells of spices, our office smells crazy some days during lunch time but we are okay with it." I felt that Hava had read my mind.

"Except for that one time when someone brought durian and we had to evacuate the building for the remaining day. Since that day we have had an "unofficial" policy that says we can bring any food as long as it smells less than a durian." Ashley was chuckling with an air quote. 

" We didn't know if you have any meat restrictions, that is why I choose the vegetarian place. It will take us some time to get to know each other but with time we will get there. Right, Hava!" 

"Of course!"

As we entered the building, Ashley announced that she had to for a meeting in an hour and rushed to her room. 

Hava was interrupted by Britney who asked if she wanted some coffee.

I got back to my desk. As I checked my phone there was a Whatsapp notification. My husband had texted me, he sent me the photo of the Mist he had purchased for me. 

I sent a big heart emoticon.

"Hi had lunch?"

Yes WBU?

"Ya the noodles were very heavy for me, I think I want something light later"

"Have something for you to eat. see you later, love you. GTG"

I put my phone down. Thinking he would enjoy the leftover wrap and I can have the noodles for dinner.

By Riddhima Sharma

From: Canada

Twitter: NepaliRiddhima

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/riddhimariddhu/