Kochettan's 'chaya kada'

The smell of hot Samosas frying in the oil filled her with memories of a land she had long forgotten.The land of dreams,hopes,aspirations,laughter,smiles.Not to forget,the pain,tears,and wound it had left behind.The river in the picture, on the wall suddenly confluenced with the imagery in her mind of the still deep waters of Manimala.The days she had spent on the banks throwing pebbles at hoppers,creating ripples(any bum's delight)gave her an impetus to think further.
All memories ushered in fresh thoughts and sour tears.The aroma of the piping hot masala tea filled her thoughts.Slowly,gradually she was sipping hot memories.There stood the small,yet happening place-Kochettan's 'chaya kada'.Home meant memories.Memories meant her village.Village meant Kochettan's 'chaya kada'.
Her days started with a distant glance of the 'chayakada' from her room in the upper storey.She would peep out through the curtain at the shack, at the corner of the road.The masala chai,pakodas,ordinary tea,samosas all were attractions.But not strong enough to peep out every morning.Yes,the lanky young man in lungi who would smile while gulping the not so cold tea had crept in silently into her dreams and occupied a position, not so favourable to her parents.
Daily,she walked to her bus stop and had to cross Kochettan's 'chayakada'.He would be standing there with a grin.Again,in the evening,she would cross it.There he would be standing like a pole supporting kochettan's 'chayakada'.She cherished the smell of the masala mix from the shack that added a flavour to her passion.Her dreams floated on the hot vapours of his tea.The 'chayakada' ignited the 'she' in her.
When things got worse at home,she felt helpless like the batter in the burning oil.Her dreams got charred.Her love burnt.The aroma gave way to smell of carbon.
Black,dark,oblivion.
She was coughing.The air was suffocating.The smoke enveloped the kitchen.She turned off the stove.Switched on the exhaust fan.Opened the windows.Fresh air blew in.But the Samosas were burnt and no more edible.