Chai

One afternoon on a random Saturday, the weather was as hot as it could get. I went to get a cup of tea from a shop downstairs. As I took my phone out to pay, I saw the time — 3:06 pm.

Back at home, 3 pm was our time, our chai time.

The body clock I had when I was born, it's changed now. More like transformed. Now my clock mostly contains reminders of tea.

For me, it has always been about people. Some of my favourite places are places I have had tea with my favourite people. Some of my favourite moments are from the time I was just breathing and drinking tea with my people. Some of my best conversations are the ones which I had over chai. Chai reminds me of home, of the good times and of the good people.

Afternoon has got to be my favourite time for chai. I worked from home, and afternoon chai was a must. My dadi's body clock for afternoon chai was same as me. We had the best conversations for that half an hour. Sometimes she used to make it and sometimes I did. I still think about her chai and how I won't ever get a chance to drink that again — a little bit too sweet for me, but so precious.

Her body wasn't as energetic and enthusiastic about making tea for me and my sister as her heart was, but that didn't matter to her ever.

I think she knows it's our time. It will always be ours. And afternoon chai will always be special.

As I said, it's never about the chai!