Well most of the people around
me know by now that I am absolutely not a foodie. I eat due to the dire need of
eating for energy and to keep my body working. If only I had that kind of money
to afford those pills which can make me go on without food for a day, I would
love to have them instead of anything else. But when it comes to pizza, there
are no compromises. I absolutely love eating pizza, something I alone can live
on for years. Nonetheless without diverting much from the original topic, I just
want to make my point that food and me are not very friendly, nor do we hate
each other. It’s a ok kind of a relationship we share.
But it was only recently in
one of the many conversations we have now and then, that mom and dad reminded
me of such a sweet and simple meal which I am madly craving to have now and I only
wish if I could get that taste back in my mouth. The moment I remembered about
this special dish, I could see myself like a kid curiously gulping on my plate,
loving every morsel of what was in there and that amazing taste, beyond any
words I don’t know why I have tears in my eyes thinking and remembering this. Is
it because I have hardly ever given any thought to that or is it because it’s
almost been fourteen years that I have not tasted it? I do not know that, but
what I do know is that my heart craves for it and I know I can never have it
again and that taste shall always haunt me.
Well before I can elaborate
about the dish or about the chef who managed to get my taste buds to salivate, I
would like to warn my very dear readers that I am going to digress a lot from
the original topic only because it holds the closest to my heart and it has
open a Pandora of memories I cannot afford to miss out on. So here I begin.
To begin with, as I mentioned
earlier and established the very fact that I am no foodie, I have never taken a
liking of the Afghani or Muslim dishes. It was just the thought that the people
who cook them have always been against us and a lot of more things which
deserve little mention. So a dish like biryani has never quite been on the list
of my likings. But only recently I realized that I have had a craving for this
special kind of biryani and its taste cannot be matched and compared with even
the world’s best cooks as it was made by my best-est chef. Well I am sure you
know how much you are missed.
As for this special chef of
mine, well there is a hell lot to speak about him. But most importantly, I would
like to share the fact that he was the head of my family. And he was loved and
respected by all. My dearest Daddyji, well that is how we used to address our
dearest grandfather, the handsomest man ever known by me. Believe me Hrithik doesn’t
even stand a chance in front of him. And as Chaiji always used to say, she was
lucky to have had such a husband. Well I know how lucky I am to be a part of
him. Daddyji you are still the best. Love you and miss you a lot.
Well it wasn’t such an exquisite
preparation of the so called special biryani. But its taste, how can anything
match it. Daddy would usually prepare chicken, and believe me it was delicious
the way he would ensure the chicken is cooked to perfection with the exact
amount of everything. And it was the last day’s left over chicken which he
would mix with rice and cook it for us. Oh! How I remember fighting over the
pieces of chicken with everyone else. It wasn’t something extravagant, yet for
me it was the best of what I have had till date. Since the day mom and dad have
mentioned about it and I have remembered about Daddy’s cooking days and those
yummy dishes I have had, I feel like my appetite died the day he left us. With
him my craze for food also went away. But here I am, once again thinking and remembering
those amazing dishes which I know I will never ever be able to cook.
By the way, Daddy and Chaiji, I
know you both will be proud of me, but I have managed to cook an entire day’s
meal when momma was not here. I know Papa had to live through those days, but I
cooked for the first time, on my own and yes I am proud of myself. I knew I could
always cook just the very thought of cooking never appealed to me. But I did.
Miss you both a lot and thank
you for those wonderful memories. You both will always be loved and missed.
Take Care and give my regards to Bhagwanji who has been amazingly kind to all
of us.