Asymmetrical Cup and A Wintery Day

It was one of those winter seasons in Delhi when the sun just wouldn't come out of its abode. We often quip that the sun is feeling too cold to come out and shine in the sky. Leave alone, the morning and even afternoons also seem foggy.

One such week I am talking about.

This weather made everything damp. Wet, heavy woolen clothes were lying on the clothesline, waiting to get dried. They fluttered with every whack of cool breeze, shivering and resigning to the extremity.

Transmission of the virus was at its peak, owing to the favorable temperature. I too was caught up with this virus, leading to a terrible cold. My sinuses were blocked and my head was splitting.

So, I did what any Indian would do at that moment, I made myself a hot cup of masala chai. I added all the spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and everything else that is included in the grandmother's recipe. I keep the masala ready in powdered form. All ingredients are ground in the right proportion. Ready to add just a pinch of it whenever you need and crave that grandma’s masala chai.

The tea smelled good and I sat down on my balcony as the sun was just trying to peep out from behind the foggy trails. I could feel the little warmth of it. I tried to bask in its warmth and soaked in the greenery around me. The Chrysanthemums were in full bloom. Beautiful and colorful. I was holding the hot teacup with both hands surrounding it. I was trying to soak all the warmth from it.

I took a whiff of the tea and heaved an involuntary sigh of relief. Aah! It had a good fragrance.

Just as I was about to take the first sip, I noticed the asymmetrical shape of my cup. I bought them a few years back. And somehow this asymmetry caught my fancy. Other than the shape, the color of each cup was also different. No symmetry in anything, yet they were part of the same set. This unique feature attracted me. Not that they were very pricey, just an average price. Their beauty lay in their asymmetry and differences.

I sipped on this elixir and whiffed on its aroma. Relishing till its last drop.

The cup was still warm. I brought the empty warm teacup to my face, and it felt good. Slowly the sinuses started opening up and my breath came in clear and perpetual. It felt good. Along with this clear breath dawned on me a clarity. How we wither to the smallest flaws of ours while this asymmetrically asymmetrical cup was serving its purpose till the end and even when it was empty.

Relax!! It said to me.