"Kamala! Wait! Did you tell anyone how to make my chai?" Dadu called out, but the taxi was already at the end of the road.
"Arey, Dadu! Don't worry. There are so many of us at home to make tea for you - Ramji, Mom, Dad, and I, of course," I said.
"Nobody knows how to make tea like Dadi," Dadu said, sadly shaking his head.
I had seen only my Dadi make tea for Dadu. Since she wasn't allowed to take phone calls for the next week during her yoga retreat, we couldn't call her to get her tea recipe.
"Sa'ab, your chai is ready!" our cook, Ramji, called out to Dadu, prompting us to get back into the house.
I got started with my homework while Dadu took a sip from his cup of chai.
"Ack!" exclaimed Dadu after taking a sip. What was that weird expression on his face?
"Sa'ab, I made the chai kadak, with extra tea leaves the Assam variety. Is it not good?" Ramji asked Dadu worriedly.
Dadu quickly smiled. "Arey nah. I like it. It's just a little too kadak."
After Ramji left, I went over to Dadu. "Dadu, did you like the chai? Shall I make you a fresh cup?"
"Mera baccha! Don't worry. The tea is great! I'll go enjoy it on my balcony," he said, much to my relief, before he walked over to his room.
That evening, when Mom and Dad returned from work, they were surprised to see Dadu asleep on the sofa.
"Is Dadu unwell?" Dad asked me.
"He seems fine, Dad. Just sleepy," I said, clearing up my books from the table.
As Dadu stirred awake, Mom called out to Dadu from the kitchen.
"Papaji, will you have chai?"
"Yes yes, Anita beta. I need a good cup to wake me up," said Dadu before turning to Dad.
"Vikram, when is the India - Australia match? Damodar has called me to his house to watch it with him," said Dadu, a die-hard cricket fan.
"It is this Sunday, Papa."
This story is from the December First 2023 edition of Champak.
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This story is from the December First 2023 edition of Champak.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Mighty Mouse
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Halloween Costume Party
Nandu was the first one to reach Soham's house for the Halloween party.
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Mani heard Thatha arguing with his friend as he entered the hall.
Meet the Robotics Marvels
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THE HOUR OF GHOSTLY VISITS
Bua, our aunt, had come to stay B with us from the village for three days, and I was thrilled because her visits always meant a treasure trove of stories.
THE HOUSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL
Twilight was setting in the sky.
SPOOKY NIGHT
It was late at night. Dodo deer was returning to the jungle from the city.
The Taste of Coffee
Ginny goat happily entered a field and was -enjoying the green grass when the owner of the field ran after her with a stick. Ginny ran speedily and hid inside a truck parked on the roadside. She had grazed a lot of grass, so she felt lazy and fell asleep.
Ravana Burst with Pomp and Show
The festival of Dussehra was approaching, so the teachers and students were busy preparing for the three-day fair organised every year on this special occasion in the school. This year the responsibility of staging Ramleela in the fair was given to the students of classes 3rd, 4th, and 5th. On the other hand, the children of classes 6th, 7th and 8th were given the responsibility of making Ravana effigies.
Here Comes Gandhi Baba
\"Bapu, where are you going so early in the morning?\" Gandhi Baba's revolutionary companions in Sky Park asked. He smiled.
