Deep secrets (lab drama part 4)

We were on our way to the canteen to buy lunch as usual when she suddenly asked,

"Why don't you eat pork?"
"Simply because I do not want to," I said.
"You know because you are in my country you should eat all the food here and embrace the culture..."
I was silent...
"I know I will never come to Africa, so I do not have to eat your country's food, but since you are in my country, you should eat all the food here..."
...okay... where is this coming from and why does it bother her......? was all that was going through my mind at that moment. I could only assume that it was because my lab partner and I always insisted on not eating pork at all the dinners we attended in the group. This resulted in our PI always ordering something 'special' just for the two of us.
Maybe that made the other students jealous? That's absurd! Why would it bother them when our PI never complained and he always paid the bills? 

 Hats off to my PI, who always does everything to make us feel comfortable in this foreign country. Anyway, maybe the little girl took it upon herself to bring what they discussed with her other friends out in the open?
I honestly do not remember when that discussion hurt her, but when we were queuing up to be served, she said, "You are not my friend anymore and I am not going to tell you any more deep secrets.
"Okey," I said, but deep down I was scared and wondered what I had done to offend her. I did not want to make enemies in this lab where I need everyone to help me with this or that where 

NOTHING IS IN ENGLISH!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, that was the last time she spoke to me and when I returned to the office she had stacked a wall of books to separate us (because we were sitting next to each other and our desks did not necessarily have boundaries). Any attempt to speak to her or even say hello was completely ignored....it killed me inside! I do not like being in someone's bad books (I know that's not tenable in this world, but I just want to be at peace with everyone). Once a trader came to drop something off for her and I was the only one in the lab. When I tried to call her, I found out she had BLOCKED ME! My goodness! How can we live like this? Anyway, my roommate and lab partner did not give a damn and at least made me feel better. When I tell you that I felt chills all over my body every time I saw her, I mean it! Those were the most uncomfortable times in my time here. I remember calling my friends in the group and almost crying when I told them the story. They just laughed because most of them, if not all, do not care about such things (neither should I, but it is what it is).
A year later, during the annual basic cleaning of the lab, we (my roommate, she and I) were asked to clean the 'Arabidopsis' room together. This was the FIRST TIME She spoke to me! And she said, "We need to put our differences aside, you know. GOODNESS! I was so relieved; I was so happy! And I apologized!

I doubt she unblocked me though but I am glad she did not leave with a grudge (she graduated last year, a year before me).

Anonymous.

I honestly don't know what to say about this submission but I am so glad you have a wonderful PI. See you next Friday with another grad school experience hint Poland.

Xoxo

your  Favorite Scientist