Food – Soul Food !!

And, she was a self-proclaimed
foodie, for she loved to eat; and loved instagramming the pictures of whatever was served on the platter. I would be bewildered at her choices at times, but more often than not; I would give in. She had this peculiar trait of rubbing her palms every time a meal was served, as if indicating that she would devour all of it at one go. But, behold!! She perhaps ate with her eyes, to her eyes content, a serving was all that it took to satisfy the hunger of her taste buds. And, then the cribbing would begin; comparisons would be drawn, the connoisseur in her would take over the hungry soul who had occupied the seat next to mine just an hour ago.

It was never about a fancy restaurant or a dining place, she didn’t mind savoring a thali at some roadside dhaba too. She wasn’t picky, not too choosy; she just wanted her plate full, and it needn’t had to be appealing; it had to be served hot, except for the desserts!! Having a meal for her wasn’t just another exercise to satisfy the hunger of her tummy, the process- the build up- and the experience in totality was all that mattered.

She would find amazement in food, so much so that I would often take notes in my head, as to what cuisine was to be tried next. There were little surprises in store, me being an observer who would keenly notice the subtle changes in her facial expressions each time we would plan a meal together. She would make elaborate plans, decide on the starters and the main course; and it would be done well in advance, I would sense the excitement in her voice, as if she were ready to bring the restaurant and the it’s menu down.

She would scan through the menu; order, and then wait impatiently; often telling me tales of her fooding escapades. I, on the other hand preferred to stay mum. Food, for me had never been something I was passionate about. I ate to live, and that was it. I was never concerned about what went into a plate of pasta, the red and the white sauce both tasted the same. And, I for one never knew that the aroma played a vital role in titillating the taste buds. And, here I was sitting next to someone who found her solace in food.

She had this penchant for trying out new stuff and new places; all I could do was follow lead. My choices were limited to a pint of beer and some roasted peanuts, she would suggest me to couple up my booze with pasta, at times with a plate of pork knuckle too. Growing up in the hills, I had never tasted pork with anything apart from bamboo shoot, and here she was making me feast upon something that seemed not just alien in it’s name but in taste too. She had this knack ordering portions that she herself couldn’t finish off, she knew it well. But, she never cared!! I cared neither, for I would hold myself back and look at her in sheer astonishment. Her eyes would light up as the platter arrived, she would look at her meal as if it were her last supper. Pure Love, it was!! And, pure love it was for me too; sitting across, wondering what on earth her obsession with food was.

She would chuckle and smile, clap her hands with delight. And, she was a delight too!! Insanely in love with food, I was never a foodie, perhaps shall never be one. But in her, I found the food for my soul.