Chhole for a Cup of Tea

We were unloading groceries

from our car trunk..

She must have noticed us,

identifying us as Indians,

just like her.

The next morning,

she knocked at the door,

I invited her in,

and sat on the living room sofa.

We shared stories in Hindi,

back home in India,

our current living conditions,

what brought us here.

I made some tea for her,

and we sipped talking more,

with full trust and affection.

That evening,

she knocked on our door again.

this time, she had brought

a large bowl of chhole (chickpea curry)

We received it with gratitude.

It was very delicious

unlike mine.

I realized that a palatable chhole

can be prepared at home.

The thick, spicy gravy

can be made,

by simply crushing some boiled chickpeas.

Now I make it often,

almost as good as her.

That’s how I learned,

to make good chhole,

by sharing a cup of tea.