Please don’t hurry my order (Singapore)

I love my Joo Chiat street in Singapore. I’m waiting for my take out banh mi when I notice a new shop next door. It’s a Vietnamese-style hair salon.

The staff, three women,  are gathered around a table out front, laughing and chatting. A chair appears out of nowhere, and I’m invited to join. The woman next to me slides a plate of chicken wings before me. One by one, they start telling me their stories.

Dear banh mi lady, please take your time with my order. Perhaps, in the meantime, some other delicacies and more stories might come my way.

I love my alley. Sometimes it feels like the only living alley around.