Analogikal

Chandigarh! Aah… The great land of people to whom showing off is central to their culture. Trust me. Not everyone is like that. But a vast majority is. I landed in chandigarh on a winter afternoon and as soon as the chill in the air hit my face i started questioning my decision of coming in winters. I waited for my friend and former room mate. His claim to fame was his statement ‘listen, i’m not a virgin’. This was in reaction to the taunts of having man boobs and being a whimp in general.

He took me to this place called pal dhaba in chandigarh. It was not just him. We were accompanied by his girl, my brother pal and bhola. Folks, if you havent been there please go! Right now! Jump, swim, crawl, sign a deal with the devil, sell your soul, do whatever it takes, just go!

We sat outside and started doing what people in their mid and late twenies do especially if they don’t have a life any more. Reminisce. We colour our memories with hints of barney stinson and captain sparrow and make ourselves feel good. Because lets face it. Life sucks!

Our keema kaleji and mutton rogan josh arrived accompanied by the customary rotis and naan. The winter sky had given way to a brisk yet toasty sun. There was warm food and good friends around. I will always remember the first bite i took. It felt like an explosion of flavours, happiness and childhood. I realised that this is what heaven tastes like.

This is how it would feel if you were to conquer Cthulhu and sit and have a drink of ginger ale in the middle of a tropical island. Basically, it tasted out of this world. The rotis folded and crushed and fell apart in front of us. The conversations came and went. The sun shone brighter and the memories tumbled. I couldn’t but think to myself, life isnt all that bad also. Cheers to food! You are the harbinger of joy and the remedy to all ailments of the heart and soul.