You know how sometimes we randomly remember a moment in our past that makes us cringe? Well, I had one of those moments today, and it's something that happened years ago during my childhood that I didn't quite grasp the complete meaning of back then, but now that I do, I just can't help but cringe every time I think of it.
On this particular day, I had gone to my friend's house. The plan had been for me to eat with him at home, but after he brought out the pot containing the food from his kitchen, I changed my mind and told him that I no longer wanted to eat anymore. Meanwhile, by then he had already brought out two spoons, one for me and one for him.
This friend of mine lives in a public compound. This was back then when I and my family still lived in the ghetto, so almost every back door to a building led to another street, and everyone could walk in freely to access it.
Unfortunately for us back then, the public kitchen was right next to the back door at my friend's place, and I remember this lady had walked past and made a comment to my friend, one I never fully understood until years later.
She had made a funny remark on how my friend was enjoying himself to the extent where he now was eating with two spoons. She obviously was being sarcastic and was trying to tell us that she knew I was eating with him but had quickly given him my spoon when I heard her walking towards us.
That was obviously what she thought, even though that wasn't the case. And I know it's not a big deal, but every time I think about that situation, I wish I could go back in time and clarify to her that I really wasn't eating with my friend.
And it's not like doing that would change anything or do anything, but I just have to do it for my own sanity because, for some reason, it just doesn't sit right with me that she had gotten the situation entirely wrong.
It's weird, I know, but it has just refused to leave my mind, and I cringe every time I think of it.