7pm in the empty school corridors, I dump my bags and walk
to my favorite corner in Rotman, The Second Cup. I order my coffee and stand to
the side letting the next customer to order. Well, this guy asks me, ‘Caffeine
craving at this hour? Got work to finish is it?”
I say, “Well no! Just casual coffee break”
He mulls it over then asks me, “But it’s late! Will it not
keep you up?”
I smile and say, “No. Coffee never bothers me”
He picks his coffee and says, “Wow! I think I am yet to
reach that state” and leaves.
I get my coffee and grabbing a couch I mull the conversation
over. I realized that I never ‘reached that state’ actually. Ever since I remember,
coffee really never bothered me. I mean, I can have a whole cup of coffee and
sleep in a while like a baby.
I have always been a coffee lover but if you ask me which
beans are good or which coffee is best where? I will probably just star gaze or
something in reply. Truly speaking, I always enjoyed the conversation and
ambience that accompanies a cup of coffee more than the coffee itself.
I still remember those days back in Undergrad, when Mom used
to get me a hot cup of coffee and I used to take a break from my books and sit
with her for the next 30 minutes chatting about nothing important. I probably
had my best discussions with Mom in those stolen minutes. I also remember those
lonely days in Chennai, when I used to come back from work at 4am regularly
getting to see my roommates just once a week on Sundays. We always started the
day with a hot cup of coffee and pending week long gossip.
Coffee reminds me of rainy days in Mumbai when I was tired
of living alone and used to hate unlocking the door to a dark and empty house.
I still thank God that I had friends who love coffee conversations as much as
me and were always ready for a cup. I remember locking back the door almost
immediately and heading to the closest Barista and spend the next 3-4 hours
with mugs and mugs of coffee and tons of laughter.
I loved London City for the open café houses splattered
around. I found a good one on the banks of Thames with outdoor heaters. I spent
innumerable hours sitting there sipping at this hot wonderful beverage and
observing people around me many of whom were new to the city and many who were
natives equally in awe of the great river and the beautiful city.
I think about my family in San Francisco. Every time I visit
them, I am in for a jet lag. Obviously I am up at 6am biding my time until I
can no more. I then wad through the halls and end up in the kitchen with the
newspaper waiting for someone to wake up. Only my uncle did! We then make
ourselves black coffee and sit at the table and discuss the past, present and
future of our family over the rich aroma of coffee refreshing every sleepy
nerve in our body. It is just blissful!
I am guilty of over hearing conversations around me, some
loving words, some funny jokes, some business deals and some serious talk.
Personally too, I always revealed my inner most thoughts and feelings better
over a cup of coffee than a peg of scotch unlike most.
I have friends who say, “What’s so good about Starbucks? I
have had better coffee!” I agree. Starbucks to me is adorable more for its
ambience than its coffee. Starbucks like me believes in presenting the right
ambience for good conversations and peaceful time. I cannot ignore the fact
that Starbucks is artistic, very! And extremely classy! And so I am drawn to it,
like a magnet! The green lady makes me smile in my worst moods.
All I want to say is that Coffee makes me nostalgic. Nostalgic
about all the good times I spent with the people I love and I relive them every
day smiling and relaxing over a hot cup of coffee! Spend some time exploring
your thoughts and memories. Believe me, it’s worth every penny!
