On the outskirts of Chennai, inside Ashiana Shubham senior living community, there is a small tea shop that opens every day around 4 in the evening and closes by 7:30. It sells the usual things—tea in many varieties, strong filter coffee, samosas, puffs, and veg rolls. A couple of benches sit outside the shop. People come, sit, eat, drink, and talk. Slowly, the place fills with voices, laughter, and familiar faces.
Five of us retirees meet there every evening for about an hour. There is no plan and no serious discussion. We talk about anything and everything, most of it unimportant—and that is exactly why it is enjoyable.
One among us is a retired general physician. Everyone simply calls him “Doctor.” He has lived in the community for eight years, longer than most, and almost everyone knows him.
I am a retired building services engineer. The others include two former bankers and an educator, each with their own personality.
Doctor is a passionate photographer. A camera is always hanging from his neck. He clicks pictures of people he finds interesting and happily takes photos of families who visit their relatives, often at the request of residents.
One of the bankers is a freelance Journalist and he loves quoting famous people and is a serious movie buff. He watches at least five movies every week—three in the community clubhouse and two by travelling into the city.
Every evening, at that small tea kadai, time slows down. For one hour, with tea in hand and friends around, life feels easy and complete.
This piece is just an Introduction of the place and as time goes by I would surely pen and share more conversations and stories
