I hope you are all doing well!
Okay, so i don’t drink chai. Yes, you heard that right. In a country where chai is practically the national beverage and part of our genetic code i am the one who stands firm, sipping water and shaking my head as my family drowns themselves in cup after cup of chai but what really cracks me up is watching them enjoy it and winter chai in a Pakistani household is a whole other level of entertainment. Let me take you through this from a non-chai drinker's perspective.
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Morning Rituals: The first thing you hear in the morning is the voice saying "chai kahan hai". It’s 8 am and somehow the whole house has already been awakened by chai. My family’s first thought when they open their eyes is "Can i survive this cold without chai?" And you just know that they can’t start their day without that cup. I am over here half asleep and trying to figure out how to exist and they are already in the middle of their chai ritual like they have just discovered the secret to life.
Midday Madness: By the time it’s 12 pm the chai addiction hits hard. It doesn’t matter if you are full from breakfast; chai is the new meal. Lunch? , who cares when chai exists? The room fills with the smell of fresh tea leaves and boiled milk and i can literally see the happiness on their faces. Meanwhile i am just quietly observing and getting side-eye from all the chai enthusiasts who are already drinking their second or third cup.
Chai Breaks: So they claim to be busy with work or something in general but whenever chai time hits, everything else magically stops. It is like they have all become one with the chai. Forget what they were doing, it’s chai time. They can stop mid-conversation just to share their deepest thoughts on chai. "This chai is perfect today, no? It has that perfect balance of strong and not too sweet." Ohh and don’t get me started on how they judge each other’s chai-making skills. It is like a competition, who can make the best chai of the day? 😂
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Guest Chai Rituals: Guests arrive and there’s the chai once again. It is like a magic spell. "Ohh, you are here to visit? Have some chai!".
The Late-Night Chai: Just when i thought the chai drama was over, the late-night chai session hits. At 10 pm when everyone is planning to sleep, you hear the voice saying "chai bana rhi ho ya paye le bhi ao" . Seriously, it is like the day is not complete without that last cup of chai. Everyone is talking, laughing and suddenly they all become philosophers while sipping their chai. "Life is like chai, you know? It is about finding the perfect balance." Meanwhile, I am here questioning my life choices because all i have is water.
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So yeah, while i may not take part in the national obsession with chai, I can’t help but laugh (and maybe feel a tiny bit left out) watching my family bond over their endless cups. It's like chai is the glue holding everything together and it is magical. Even though i will never fully understand the appeal. I do get it now: chai is not just a drink. It is an experience, a ritual and most importantly a family moment.
But mark my words if chai is as powerful as they say then i am probably missing out on some serious life-altering magic. For now, though i will just continue to sip my water while they sip their chai...😜