Tea Kadai conversations Episode 11

 

 

 

At the tea kadai within the Ashiana Shubham senior living community, two rickety wooden benches sit on either side of the shop, with a long flight of steps leading up to it. This humble setting has quietly become a vibrant gathering place, where seniors and regulars sit with their cups of tea or coffee, engaging in conversations that range from the happenings within the community to events unfolding across the world.

For many, this daily visit offers a welcome break from routine and a chance to connect, to listen, and to be heard. Familiar faces meet, conversations flow easily, and even occasional visitors are quickly drawn into the warmth of the group.

As I mentioned in an earlier episode, I am one of the regulars here. Along with Dr. Mohandas and Sundararajan, I spend nearly an hour and a half each day on these benches or steps, whether the shop is open or not. Over time, I’ve come to realize that what draws us here is not just the tea and snacks, but the shared joy of companionship. In this phase of our lives, we gather to celebrate it in our own quiet way..through conversation, laughter, and the comfort of being together.

Every resident carries a story. However small or trivial it may seem, sharing it brings a certain lightness, a sense of relief. The tea kadai has become a space where these stories find listeners, and in doing so, create connections. I hope to continue sharing these moments and conversations in future episodes.

A few days ago, Dr. Mohandas and I met Sundararajan’s wife. She told us how he rarely stepped out in the evenings before. But now, ever since he began joining us, he eagerly looks forward to that time of day. As evening approaches, he gets ready with enthusiasm and heads to the tea shop, excited to meet us and others. Seeing this change has brought her great happiness—and hearing it brought us quiet satisfaction, knowing we had played a small part in lifting someone’s spirit.

Interestingly, the tea kadai is not just for the senior residents. People from the multi-generational villas within the gated community also drop by regularly here for a cup of tea, a snack, or simply for the conversations. In this way, the little tea shop has become more than just a place for us for it is a shared space where lives intersect, stories unfold, and bonds are gently formed.

 

Tea Kadai Stories- Episode 06- 22nd Jan to 31st Jan

 

This week passed quietly, without much excitement, except for a small argument that arose out of some pointless discussions at the tea shop. During the exchange, Ravindra suddenly burst out loudly, accusing me of trying to influence his opinions and impose my views on him. As usual, he declared that it was his constitutional right to express whatever he felt and that he would not and could not be subdued.

One of the seniors present gently remarked, “Why have unpleasantness and arguments when we all have one step already in the grave?” That simple line struck a chord with me. I immediately withdrew from the discussion and decided not to comment unnecessarily on Ravindra’s opinions anymore. At this stage of life, peace of mind feels far more valuable than winning an argument.

I was also absent from the shop for nearly four days — two days because our cat was recovering from its health issues, and another two days to attend to my wife’s eye problem.

What we thought would be a routine visit to the ophthalmologist, merely to check the corrective lens prescribed for her left eye, unexpectedly opened up a new concern. The doctor noticed a lymphoid growth in the conjunctival area and advised a biopsy, especially considering her past history of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The sample collection was scheduled for 30th January 2026.

As instructed, we went to Billroth Hospital, where the procedure is expected to take about thirty minutes and was completed within an hour. The collected sample was handed over to me, which I then submitted at Apollo Cancer Hospital for histopathology and Lymphoma Panel examination.

Now we wait for the report, expected in four days. I came across this statement which I feel is apt “Worrying does not reduce tomorrow’s trouble; it only reduces today’s strength.”

Tea Kadai 04 - A week of casual meet

 

On 8th January 2026, the tea shop felt a bit empty. The doctor didn’t come, and Senthil, the banker, was also absent. Still, the rest of us gathered as usual and chatted without any clear direction. Soon the talk turned to love and death. Ravindra quoted some famous person, saying a man becomes mature only when he learns to love death. Mr. Shridhar added that a man actually dies twice—once at marriage and again at the end of life. He also said love begins not in college, but in school.

When Ravindra asked Sundararajan about his college romance, Sundararajan got irritated and asked why Ravindra always talked about love. Ravindra shot back, loudly, that it was his constitutional right to talk about any subject he wished. An awkward silence followed. Shridhar quickly calmed things down, saying there was no point getting upset when all of us already had one foot in the grave—it was better to laugh. Mr. Gururaj, who had just come for tea, caught the last part of the discussion, and soon after, we all dispersed for the day.

On 9^th January evening the forum met as usual but was totally subdued due to yesterday’s uproar and the subsequent discussions of the incident over WhatsApp chat wherein our freelance journalist was not willing to accept that his angry reaction was not called for and he kept insisting that we have no right to give him sermon as it is constitutional right to express his views and thoughts about others. A quite day of tea and samosa at the tea kadai.

10^th January evening we all met as usual and we had a guest Dr Panigraha , an oncologist who has come to visit his son who is staying in the villas which are for multi-generational accommodations within the gated community of Ashiana Shubhum and studying medicine at the SRM university nearby. Casual conversations took place till the time of dispersion.

I did not visit on 11^th January as I had gone to the city and could not get back till late evening and thereby, I missed meeting the regulars at the tea kadai.

12^th January evening the forum met as usual and the conversation today drifted towards the amount of water that needs to be drunk in a day by an adult male. Journalist stated 6 litres as per a doctor he met outside whereas our doctor said that the maximum fluid intake has to be 4 litres and as per Google it states 3.7 litres for male but Ravindra was not willing to accept this and he question Dr Panigraha who had also come today and his opinion was between 5 to 6 litres. It was quite evident that each had their own opinion and there was no consensus in arriving at the quantum of water intake. The conversation ended with this topic and all of us dispersed for the day after our usual sip of tea / coffee and snacks. 

13^th January both me and Dr Mohandas reached the shop at about 4.10 pm just to see a board tied on the shutter of the shop stating that the shop would be closed from 13^th to 17^th January on account of Pongal celebration as the tea master Guru is traveling to his home town Madurai. We just sat outside the shop and had small talks and also Doctor was checking my bridge camera and its operations and he was quite amazed by the zoom it has… I do have a Canon Power shot for which I paid just Rs 33000/- whereas Doctors has a much costlier camera because it is a SLR with a prime lens. I have always felt that the camera I have suits my purpose as I am just an amateur photographer and with built in zoom it is good for my wildlife photography and I never felt the need of having a SLR with large lenses.