Zahra

I have this one ring, nestled carefully in a box among my many other rings, that’s just slightly out of place. It’s checkered in black-and-white and has gems at its points, fits only on my pinky, and occasionally it falls off, but it was a gift from Zahra, the lovely owner of Cafe International on Haight Street, and so I wear it anyways.

When she gave it to me, she called me up to the counter and told me to close my eyes. I opened them to a ring in my hand and a proposal of marriage. You wear a lot of rings, she said. Do you want this one that someone left behind? I said yes, obviously, and I am pretty sure that we are technically still engaged to this day. Zahra is someone who is not only really good at building community, but also tending to it. She remembers the names of her patrons, speaks an impressive multitude of languages, and I commonly see her sitting out back on the (sometimes) sunny patio, smoking and having a chat with regulars. One time, she wrote my roommate Luiza’s name in the foam of her giant latte, and I’ve never forgotten it.

This past week, I made a return to Cafe International after being gone for a while — I had brought Zahra a coffee mug as a gift, and I was a little nervous to present it to her. What if she’d forgotten my name? It had been months! When I gave it to her, she smiled at me and said, it’s been so long, and I’m happy you’re back!

I am also happy to be back, and especially so to return to a Lower Haight staple. I love that there are first dates and people working and large chairs next to big windows. I love that there are sometimes musicians playing that Zahra has invited in, and I love watching her make introductions between customers. But perhaps most importantly, I simply love to catch up with Zahra, forever effusive at the counter with friendly chatter, and whom I am always excited to see!