The perfect cup of Tea

Its barely dawn and from the kitchen I can hear the streets bustling with the first burst of activity. Cars whiz by honking obnoxiously, morning walkers of all ages, shapes and sizes chattering as they head back home, an assortment of street vendors- paperwalla, raddiwalla, sabziwalla, selling their wares by shouting themselves hoarse.

The sounds are comforting and I smile absently while filling a saucepan with water. As I light the gas stove, the blue flame leaps to life and I set the water to heat up. Meanwhile I retrieve three cups of varied sizes and design and arrange them neatly on a tray. I am in awe of the fact that a cup that I gifted my parents more than ten years ago has survived the test of time with just a few nicks and bruises. I put aside milk and sugar and with everything in order I wait for the water to boil. Soon tiny bubbles burst forth and steam rises up, within seconds the water rages and bubbles furiously. I decrease the heat and add precise amounts of black ground tea and loose green tea leaves following which I immediately turn off the gas and cover the pan to trap the heat. A few seconds later as I remove the lid, the aroma of freshly brewed tea assails my senses. I pour out the rich amber liquid and admire its brilliant coloring. An appropriate amount of milk and sugar are the required finishing touches and the ingredients unite in delightful harmony.

I place the cups of tea and a tin of biscuits on the dining room table and go to awaken ma and baba. We all gather at the table drinking our tea, sharing the newspaper and reading out loud interesting bits while I relish every sip of my perfect cup of TEA.