Have you ever been to Gokarna? It’s a pretty village in Karnataka, India.
And you know, there’s something serene about waking up in Gokarna. This is a town, cradled between the Arabian Sea and the lush Western Ghats. The salty breeze, the distant sound of waves crashing, and the gentle hum of morning chants from nearby temples create a calm that makes you appreciate the simpler joys of life.
I code, remotely. So, I have the privilege to travel whenever and wherever I want :)
Last month, my friends and I were there for a week. And on the last morning of our trip, my friends and I decided to have breakfast together at a cafe overlooking the beach. [Now let me share more details if you care. The cafe is called Mantra Cafe and you get a direct view of the beach]
Our plan was simple: share a meal, watch the sun and the beach, and soak in the unhurried vibe of Gokarna.
We were a diverse bunch of 7 folks — 4 of us childhood friends, others college buddies who had drifted back into each other’s lives. Among us was a guy, someone I’d known for a few years, but had never really spent much personal time with. He was always lively and had a knack for making everyone laugh, saying the most inappropriate things. Girls did mind sometimes, but as someone who takes it easy all the time, I hardly cared.
But as my imaginary girlfriend wisely puts it,
“Women have a natural instinct to steer clear of men like that.”
So yeah, that morning, he taught me and all of us an unexpected lesson.
We grabbed a long wooden table near the window, the breeze playing with our hair as the sea glimmered in the morning sun.
We started ordering a mix of local South Indian fare and continental options: masala dosa, filter coffee, lasagna, pancakes, fresh juices and parathas. We agreed to split the bill evenly — after all, it was a friendly breakfast, and this arrangement made things easier.
Everyone kept their orders modest. A few of us went for the classic masala dosa, some chose the fruit bowls. And then he chimed in, “I’ll take a large pancake, a masala dosa, and — oh, let’s add some mango juice. Also, that smoothie looks great! And maybe some fries on the side?”
We exchanged glances. Maybe he was just hungry? Maybe he hadn’t eaten well the previous night? We didn’t overthink it. After all, Gokarna had a way of making you let your guard down ;)
As the food arrived, we started having our modest portions and eventually, some of us went to the pool table to play with some strangers. A friend of mine went to talk to a guy she thought was cute.
After around an hour, we all came back and as the plates were being cleared and conversation flowed, the bill arrived. It was hefty — much heftier than what we’d expected for a simple breakfast. When the waiter mentioned the total, there was a collective pause.
Our guy, unfazed, laughed, “Wow, that’s a lot! Good thing we’re splitting it, huh?”
Nobody said anything. Everyone paid their share quietly, and the mood shifted subtly.
Today, I got a call from my friend that she was seeing the guy who she met in Gokarna. However, the conversation was still more about the incident lingering in her mind. It wasn’t just our guy who was at fault — it was also on us for not speaking up earlier. Maybe we assumed too much, thinking that friends naturally align their values.
Because in the end, meals are about more than just food, right? They’re about connection, consideration, and respect for the people sharing the table with you.
In case we are meeting for the first time, come over here, it’ll be worth the roller coaster of articles that are gonna come up in the next few weeks.
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