Thank YOU, Athai

In less than an hour I am fed ek big glass of adrak wali chai
And piping hot dosas with mint chutney and sambhar and molghapudi on the side.
They are old, we should serve them,
But oh what bliss, what comfort in good cooked by them.
Not because it took effort (though that too), but one feel the love
In the amrud cut and served with chatpata powder and the neyiappam to kill for.
That one can demand, one can expect,
That one's wishes are never met with neglect.
But more, the scene that is etched in memory
Is of ever athai waiting to greet me.
She patiently standing on the road, ready to direct,
Every step that I take has but just 1 regret,
Why this long interim, why did I not visit sooner
I hope she realises how much she means to me, my succour.

— Written on 22 August 2025.

— On 21 August 2025, I went to visit my Athai in Hyderabad after a LONG day. Hence... :)