The first sip of black lemon tea, it was probably the best drink I had as a child of 8 years old. Growing up in a chicken farm with many workers who worked 9-5, the sip of the black lemon tea at the tiffin break brought about a smile and a sense of breath on their face. I guess that is why the beverage has such a special place in my heart. If I were to go and purchase a black lemon tea in a shop, as a kid I would have to pay 5-10 Rupees. I think that is when I realized that the cost of a moment or sip of happiness was not that expensive.
I remember having a sip of black lemon tea after a long morning walk to Pashupati from my home, I almost felt like I had accomplished something and the black lemon tea was my reward. In another incident when I went for a 50kms cycling for a social cause, they served the beverage to all the participants. Over the years, I have enjoyed the beverage whenever I have felt that I have accomplished something.
Ironically when I was selected for my engineering program, I was served the same beverage in the advising officer's place. Every year I go back home for vacation, whenever I am at my father's factory, I get to share this beverage with the hardworking staff. Breaking the bread and sipping the tea with them has taught me about the wonder and happiness of a day's work and how we share it with the people who have the same ideology or lifestyle as yours.
I have never made a black lemon tea for myself, until today. Stuck in this work from home with my family half the world apart. This year has been difficult for all of humanity. We suffer the same losses, the same fear and I guess we just need a bit of the same empathy. In this state of ruckus, I went through the pantry and found the bag of lemon tea. I wish I could share this lemon tea with everyone I had the tea with before. And hold that smile and satisfaction in a cup. My point is, when life gives you lemons, I hope you make a lemon tea out of it.
Love
Sunny
