‘Drinking Coffee bad for health’, my eyes took in this informative bit of news as I sipped on my daily dose of caffeine. I turned over to other more interesting & happening news while my heart sang a defiant ‘kuch toh log kahenge, logo ka kaam hai kehna’. Come what may, I can never think of deserting my favourite beverage, not even in my wildest dreams.

I still remember being fascinated by the alluring aroma of filter coffee wafting in from our neighbourhood in Secunderabad, where my father had been posted all through the 70s and the early 80s. Someday, I vowed, I will grow up and have coffee every morning. This solemn promise was uttered as we (me & bro), poured away our creamy milk through the wide open window.

Chai Nakko! I informed my Mom primly in Hyderabadi Hindi as a cup of weak tea was placed in front of me one fine morning. I was in for a rude shock as I realized that my ancestral roots were still deeply implanted in Bengal which housed the world famous tea growing district of Darjeeling. My rebellion was quashed promptly and I got used to drinking tea while dreaming of the illusive coffee.

Years later, I had my way as I made my daily coffee on an electric heater in my hostel room. But Alas! The path of true love is never smooth. Well meaning friends advised me that drinking too much of coffee was bad for your complexion. You may become dark yet, they warned me. As it is, you are tall, wear glasses and horror of horrors, are a science student. Don’t you think that the boys would be eager to race in the opposite direction once they chanced upon you? Remember that tall & dark are not high qualifiers for a woman; they tried to make me face the truth. I pondered over these sagacious remarks and ditched my love. My favourite cup was back in my hands within a week as I discovered that be it tea or coffee it was never me that the handsome hunks had in their minds.   

Marriage saw me changing into a responsible housewife, up at dawn, brewing tea for husband & his family. Other domestic chores followed in quick succession and most days my cup of tea lay neglected to one side while I battled with the emergencies within the kitchen. Coffee was an honoured guest in the winters, prepared with care, sipped slowly & then banished from the kitchen with the advent of spring.

Time flew by and I suddenly found myself alone again. I was now free to return to my beloved beverage-Coffee. And I have done so with a vengeance.  Each evening I rush back home, looking forward to my cappuccino and the well deserved rest in front of the TV. Phir?  Mein aur meri coffee aksar baatein karte hai, tum na hote toh kya hota? And the love story continues……….