That Time in Freshman Year

 By Anonymous Nesibu

Yemane sprinted across the quad as Addis Ababa University's bustling campus passed by, his backpack bouncing and sneakers resonating against the cobblestone pathways. "Auditions Today - AAU Dramatics Club," read a bright poster on a bulletin board, sending his heart racing with anticipation.

He ran to the audition room where a group of excited young Ethiopian actors had already assembled without pausing for breath. Anxiety and spirited conversation filled the air.

As Yemane signed in, a student organizer questioned him, "What's your name?"

He said, "Yemane Tadesse," his voice trembling with an anxious and determined mixture.

Yemane received a screenplay as the auditions started. What was his function? an usher in a forthcoming romantic comedy that takes place in a busy Ethiopian café. Yemane was resolved to give it his all, even though it seemed like a small part. He devoted himself to the role in the weeks that followed, performing endlessly and even obtaining a part-time work at a nearby café to observe Ethiopian waiters in action.

Yemane was tasked with giving a moving monologue while bringing coffee to the key actors one evening at a crucial rehearsal. Ms. Tsegaye, the director, had high standards. Yemane walked confidently onto the stage while carrying a tray of steaming coffee cups.

He was excited to start his lines, but his nervousness eventually won. He stumbled on a loose cable by accident, which caused the tray of hot coffee to fly through the air. Most of the other cast members in the audience gasped in shock.

Fortunately, the performers avoided getting any coffee on them. Instead, it completely covered Yemane in rain. Coffee was dripping from his hair and clothes as he stood there in shock. Heard in the auditorium was boisterous laughing from his fellow actors, which broke the tense pause.

Yemane was shocked to hear laughing that wasn't mocking but was instead hearty and contagious. With her eyes sparkling, Ms. Tsegaye made the decision to include Yemane's coffee accident in the play, turning it into a recurring comic device that made the audience laugh out loud at every performance.

The cast's sense of friendship grew stronger as the practices went on. They honed their comedic timing, and Yemane's unplanned but unexpected accidents provided an element of excitement to every act. When and if he would spill coffee again?

Yemane gained the loving moniker "Coffee Yemane" among his colleagues as his errors turned into the play's high points. The play itself was a smashing success, bringing in adoring crowds every night. The coffee disaster was always met with tremendous applause and howls of amusement.

Yemane came to the realization that often the most unforgettable events in life are the ones we least expect as the last curtain fell on the final performance. His adventure at Addis Ababa University had started with the straightforward goal of being well-known in theater, and he had succeeded in doing so—though not for his lines, but for his coffee-soaked antics.

 

When Yemane reconnected with his college buddies years later, they enjoyed talking about "That Time in Freshman Year," when a straightforward coffee mishap had turned a little role into a renowned performance. Everyone who heard the story felt warm and amused, and it served as a reminder of how unpredictable and fun life was during their college years in Addis Ababa. Even though their paths had separated, the bonds of friendship, suspense, and humor would link them to their common experience at AAU for all time.