ZQ
Zaid Qunibi
Dec 10, 2025
I should’ve known better.
It was late on a Thursday night, and I hadn’t eaten all day. My stomach was growling like a wild animal, and the neon glow of the Taco Bell sign felt like salvation. I pulled into the drive-thru, ordered a bean burrito, and told myself it was the “safe” choice. Beans, tortilla, a little cheese—how bad could it be?
I parked in the lot, tore open the wrapper, and took that first bite. Warm, soft, salty, with just enough spice to make me think, *this is exactly what I needed.* I devoured the burrito in minutes, barely tasting half of it because hunger had taken over. For a moment, I felt bliss. My stomach was full, my mood lifted, and I drove home humming along to the radio.
But about an hour later, the bliss turned into betrayal.
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## The First Signs
It started as a dull ache, a pressure low in my gut. I brushed it off—beans can be heavy, right? I poured myself a glass of water and sat down to watch TV. Ten minutes later, the ache sharpened. My stomach gurgled loudly, so loud I actually paused the show to listen. It sounded like a drain unclogging. That’s when I knew: something was wrong.
I tried to ignore it, but the cramps grew stronger. Sweat prickled at the back of my neck. I shifted in my seat, hoping it would pass. It didn’t. Instead, a sudden urgency hit me like a wave. I bolted upright and made a beeline for the bathroom.
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## The Battle in the Bathroom
I barely made it in time. The burrito had staged a full-scale revolt. My body was determined to expel it as quickly and violently as possible. I sat there, clutching the sides of the toilet, feeling like I was in the middle of a natural disaster. My stomach churned, my legs trembled, and I kept muttering, *Why did I eat that? Why did I think Taco Bell at midnight was a good idea?*
Minutes turned into what felt like hours. Every time I thought it was over, another wave hit. I leaned forward, head in my hands, promising myself I’d never eat fast food again. The smell of beans and spice lingered in my memory, now twisted into something sinister.
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## The Aftermath
When it finally slowed down, I felt drained—like I’d run a marathon without training. My face was pale, my shirt damp with sweat. I shuffled to the sink, splashed cold water on my face, and stared at myself in the mirror. I looked like I’d survived a war. My stomach still gurgled faintly, a reminder that the battle wasn’t completely over.
I spent the rest of the night curled up in bed, clutching a water bottle, afraid to move too much in case another wave hit. Sleep came in fragments, interrupted by trips back to the bathroom. By morning, I was exhausted, dehydrated, and questioning all my life choices.
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## Reflection
Looking back, it wasn’t just the burrito—it was the timing, the hunger, the way I inhaled it without thinking. Maybe the beans weren’t cooked right, maybe the sauce was too much, or maybe my stomach just wasn’t ready for a midnight fast-food feast. Whatever the reason, I learned my lesson.
Now, whenever I see that glowing Taco Bell sign, I feel a mix of nostalgia and dread. I remember the taste of that burrito, but more vividly, I remember the long, miserable night that followed. And every time, I whisper to myself: *Never again.*
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