ADDICTION, EXPRESSIONS

Half a Cheek’s Worth

Coffee rationing

Me at a coffee shop in happier days. Author’s image.

I love coffee. That’s me smiling in a coffee shop, inhaling the aroma of the coffee roasting and brewing behind me.

Nescafé Gold: this was one of my favorite brands, but I’ve eschewed it like an alcoholic shunning his favorite brand of whisky.

For my birthday a couple of years ago, I got myself a new brand of fancy coffee — with a free mug! It was one of the loveliest mornings I’ve had. I unboxed the coffee, made it in the new mug, and took a picture to remind myself how happy the luxurious coffee experience had made me.

The expensive Davidoff brand at a local supermarket. Author’s image.

If it was available in India, I had tried it out. The coffee brand Davidoff, my favorite is the most intense kind.

Coffee was the cheat code for my life. It didn’t matter if I was anemic, low on energy or sleep, or overworked or buzzed out. Another cup of coffee and I would be ready for the next challenge.

Look at how happy I am. This is filter coffee, coffee made from a decoction and drunk from a davara-tumbler — the names for the glass and bowl you see me using to cool down and froth up my coffee. Author’s image.