The coffee shop buzzed with the familiar hum of daily life, a blend of laughter, soft conversations, and the comforting clinks of cups and saucers. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of puffs, cakes and cookies, creating an inviting haven. In their favourite quaint corner, away from the lively chatter, Mita and Sharbonti sat across the old wooden table. Their bond probably older, an unbroken line of shared memories and secrets.

Mita’s face was clouded with worry, her fingers tracing the uneven rim of the table absentmindedly. Sharbonti watched her, concern etched into her features.

Mita, her voice barely above a whisper, “Sharbonti, I’m so glad you could meet me. I didn’t know who else to talk to.”

Sharbonti, reaching out, her touch gentle and reassuring, “Mita, you know you can always count on me. What’s troubling you?”

Her heart was pounding. Never before had she felt such restraint when going on full disclosure with her BFF. Though she had shared many in the past this one time seemed so different. 

Mita, sighing deeply, unable to look directly into her friend’s eyes, “It’s Neelava”. Her voice seems to lower down even by few notches, gathering all the courage she could muster “His hearing… it’s been getting worse. And I don’t know how to approach it.”

Sharbonti leaning in, her expression serious. She understood her modish friend was having a bigger turmoil inside.  It was pretty apparent to her that Mita was failing to come to terms with this. “Oh, Mita, that’s so hard. Have you guys seen a doctor?”

Mita, nodding sheepishly, “We’ve read about it, and the symptoms fit what he is experiencing. But we haven’t told anyone else yet. I’m scared, Sharbonti. What if they don’t understand?”

At that moment, a waiter approached with a familiarly old smile on his face, momentarily breaking the tension.

Waiter, “Good afternoon, ladies. What can I get for you today?”

Mita, glancing at Sharbonti for a brief moment before replying, “We’ll have two cappuccinos and a couple of cookies, please.” This has been their usual order for quite some time now.

The old coffee shop never fails to bring the memories of their younger days. Their ups and downs and the deepest secrets they shared.  

Waiter, jotting down with a nod as if he already knew what these fine ladies would order, “Coming right up.”

As the waiter walked away, Mita’s eyes returned to her friend, the weight of her fears evident in her gaze. 

Mita, “I don’t even know where to start. The stigma, the fear of how our families will react… it’s overwhelming”.

Sharbonti, squeezing Mita’s hand,  “It’s natural to feel this way. But your family loves you. Maybe start with someone you trust the most, someone who can help you when you tell others”.

The waiter soon returned, carefully placing their cappuccinos and cookies on the table.

Waiter, “Here you go. Enjoy!”

Mita and Sharbonti, in unison, with small smiles, “Thank you.”

As the waiter walked away, Mita took a sip of her cappuccino, the warmth of the drink a small solace amid her turmoil.

Mita, “I was thinking of telling my mom first. She’s always been supportive, but I don’t know if she’ll understand this.”

Sharbonti, nodding thoughtfully, “That’s a good idea. Start with someone who has always been there for you. You need all the support you can get right now. It’s okay to feel uncertain. You’re dealing with a lot.”

Shrabonti found it important to reassure her friend, “Mita, don’t worry these days hearing issue is nothing. If you see modern hearing gadgets,  I tell you….they look cool.”  She consciously tried to make an overwhelmingly positive gesture to make her friend a little less perturbed. Mita has always been conscious about looks and what others gossip and giggle about.  She thought it was good to cool her down, with a pause she added nonchalantly,  “Besides, everyone walks around with earpods these days.”

Mita, her voice breaking, tears welling up in her eyes, ” Thanks, Sharbonti. I don’t know what I’d do without you”.

Sharbonti, smiling gently, her eyes full of warmth, “You’ll never have to find out, Mita. We’ve always faced everything together, and we’ll get through this too”.

The two friends sat in a shared silence, the quiet strength of their bond a reassuring presence. The coffee shop’s warmth wrapped around them, a small bubble of comfort in a world suddenly filled with uncertainty. They knew that whatever came next, they would face it together, just as they always had.

When someone in the family has hearing loss, it impacts everyone. Being open about hearing loss helps build understanding and trust.