It was a warm, relaxing evening as I walked into the Chick-fil-A in King of Prussia, guided there by two compelling forces: my stomach, and the Maps application on my iPhone 6S Plus. Winded and sore from a grueling tennis session in the sweltering heat earlier that day, I yearned for nothing more than the peppery, scrumptious taste of Chick-fil-A’s fabled Spicy Deluxe Combo, comprised of a spicy crispy chicken breast, freshly cut lettuce, juicy tomatoes, tangy pickles, and smoked pepper jack cheese. If that wasn’t enough, delectable french fries along with 3 packets of the renowned Chick-fil-A dipping sauce would be included in the meal. Knowing full well that I needed to hydrate myself for a pivotal tennis match the day after, I also ordered a cup of water that was as cold as the frozen Tundra.

I waited for my order in which 5 measly minutes felt like eternities, and I struggled to contain the raging mammoth that was my stomach. Eventually, one of the cashiers shouted “Kaushik”, and I sprung from my hunger-stricken state to obtain my long-awaited meal. One, two, three, I counted, making sure that the dipping sauces I ordered were included, lest the establishment feel the wrath of the grand dragon that is Kaushik Dhanyamraju. Making my way to an empty booth, I planted myself on its soft, leathery cushion and went on to devour the pieces of heaven that were my Spicy Deluxe burger and fries. Spicy, I thought to myself after taking that first bite. My tongue was on fire for a few brief moments, but soon simmered, at which I decided, Alright…time for the second bite. Second became third, and eventually, my beloved Spicy Deluxe was down my lanky esophagus and absorbed by my sharp stomach acid. Not wanting to be outdone, the side of fries called out to me. “Eat me, eat me,” they pleaded. “You still have enough Chick-fil-A sauce to savor the occasion!”

Obliging to their heartfelt request, I motioned towards the salty, potato imbued delicacies, my mouth still drooling from hunger. One by one, each fry was scarfed down by my awesome mite, and soon there was nothing left but the ice cold water to wash away the remains of my sandwich and side, much like the ocean tide washes away the starfish marooned on the sandy shores of Huntingdon Beach, California. A brief, unsettling silence engulfed the establishment. Why the uneasiness? You just had a very filling meal after a draining tennis practice? Alas, if only it was that simple. Rather than revel in satisfying my unrelenting hunger, I was upset that my once beloved Chick-fil-A meal was gone. It can’t be! Only five minutes ago my freshly cooked food was right in front of me. In just a snap of a finger, it’s gone! Tears began to flow from eyes, and my sadness escalated to devastation. OH THE HUMANITY!

Unwilling to head back to my poorly ventilated dorm, I knew what had to be done: order more food! Making my way up the line of voracious customers, I made my second order, knowing full well this would be my last meal before vacating the Chick-fil-A establishment. “I’ll have the eight piece chicken nuggets entre with the Chick-fil-A sauce, please,” I said in a childlike tone when placing my order to the well-mannered cashier. If Chick-fil-A sauce was not included in my meal, did I really go to Chick-fil-A? Grabbing my food instantaneously after it was ordered, I rushed to my cerulean two-door Honda Civic; within mere minutes, both the nuggets and sauce packets met their fate at the voracity of my gurgling intestines. Once more, I was saddened at the demise of my mouth-savoring food. I have never been entranced romantically, but for the time I spent with my two meals at the Chick-fil-A in King of Prussia, I knew what love felt like, and it was beautiful. My heart sang melodiously while my face blushed while I engaged in the threesome with my Spicy Deluxe Combo and Chicken Nuggets. Alas, they left this Earth way too soon. “Despite your premature ends, rest assured Spicy Deluxe and Chicken Nuggets, I will never forget you. I promise to always cherish the time I spent with you. No one will ever make me feel the way you two did. Always, and forever, mis amores.”