My colleagues and I loved to gather for gossip and to share horror stories we’d just had with a customer. We especially loved to gather on payday to go over the yummy specials on Uber Eats and Mr Delivery. This month things were a bit tight financially, most of us had salary cuts we had not anticipated. Even through the financial tension, the girls deserved a treat for all their hard work, a cheap treat though. Mac Donald’s is great value for money so we decided to get Mac Donald’s. I’ve always been weak for a warm tasty Big Mac Meal; little did I know that the feelings were not mutual. 

Fweeet! Went the phone, our food had arrived. I power walked to the delivery man at the door.

“Delivery for Palesa?”

I nodded as I started salivating from the smell seeping out of his bag. He opened his bag and pulled out a beautiful big brown paper bag. Those mesmerizing golden arches! My heart skipped a beat, I could wait to sink my teeth into that tasty burger! That delightful combination of meaty goodness and spicy sauciness! Those crispy fries! That electric way the cold coca cola would hit my throat!… I thanked the delivery man and made a bee line to the kitchen, my arms doing the best they can to carry all the food. My colleagues surrounded me.

“The Chilli Cheese is mine!” said one.

“Where is my mc fizz?” asked another.

Oh, what a joyous celebration! We sat and happily gobbled our food before returning to our cubicles to work.

 An hour or two passed and my stomach started poking for my attention. I ignored the minor cramps and continued to work. My stomach did not take too kindly to being ignored and the pokes turned into a violent tantrum, she was now kicking and screaming! I winced , hunched over with tears welling in my eyes and tried to continue to work, my eyes shifting between my screen and the clock every two seconds. After minutes of fighting and trying to ignore the war my stomach was trying to wage against me, all was quiet. There was a moment of still and zen, I was grateful for the peace, hoping it would last. My stomach then said “Fee Fi Fo Fuum! Hear me roar!” Tears started falling from my face, I folded and rested my head on my keyboard and started rocking myself back and forth trying to pacify myself. I left work early and went to see the resident nurse. She asked me what I had eaten and I gave her my list for the day. She focused on my Big Mac meal and asked if I had ever experienced cramps after eating a big Mac. I reflected on my previous encounters with what I thought was a source of joy for me and realized that I have never enjoyed a Big Mac Meal without my stomach getting annoyed and this time so upset. I have never had a Big Mac Meal ever since.