At that moment, everything changed.

They weren’t seeds. They were alive. We could now see the tiny movements — barely visible, but unmistakable. They looked like tiny insect eggs — pale and jelly-like, each with a dark center, nestled right into the lettuce.

We sat there, completely stunned. Then came the rush of fear and nausea. We called over the staff immediately. While they tried to apologize and figure out what had happened, we weren’t taking any chances — we were already on the phone with emergency services.

We had no idea what kind of insect this could be, or whether any of it had been ingested. My friend started feeling sick, more from panic than anything else. Once we reached the ER, doctors ran tests and gave us precautionary meds. Thankfully, there were no immediate signs of harm, but the emotional toll was heavy.

Later, we filed a complaint. The restaurant claimed it was likely “contamination from a supplier” or a “quality control issue.” But honestly, it didn’t matter. The damage was already done. That experience shattered our sense of safety around food.

Even now, every time I see chia seeds or poppy seeds… my stomach turns. It’s not just a bad memory — it’s a lasting fear.