
Imagine you have a long list of contacts, relatives, and acquaintances and you rarely hear from them either through normal calls or messages. You thank God when some have the sense and reply back to any of your messages. Then, all of a sudden and out of the blue, they call and talk nonstop.
‘Oh, did you know what happened?’ ‘God, how funny those old days were!’ ‘You haven’t heard about that, have you?’ ‘My parents always remember you in their prayers.’ Etc. That’s their common narrative introduction.
And, almost, when you think perhaps you have been unfair. Or perhaps you are the one who needs to call quite often, just then, your dear caller relieve the reason behind the memorable call. In good scenarios, they will ask for a favour or a piece of information, or to know bits and pieces about your news that had already reached their ears by others. But, in worse scenarios, they will erupt like a volcano and throw their flames of accusations and hidden grudges.
That’s when I think of ‘why else’? Why else did they call? Sometimes I switch off this nugde of ‘why else,’ and enjoy the show. But, when things become too much, I choose my peace of mind and it becomes thanks but no more.
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
