Welcome to the world of Chaiwala

It has been a while since I gave a review about the eateries that have been popping up especially those near Khayaban-e-Muhafiz (I think) area. That line is populated with famous dhabas that have gained popularity over time and are favored by all and sundry not only to relax but to have business meetings and big business plans carried out as well.

One of these dhabas that has grown in significance is Chaiwala, a name that now resonates with the best tea and parathas in town. Truly Chaiwala’s popularity has hit the roof (if they had one because here the sky is the limit!). To those of you who don’t know, Chaiwala is an open aired parking lot based dhaba of sorts that has quite an elite gentry going to it.

The dhaba opens at night (I think because I haven’t bothered going in the afternoon or evening to know!!) an the open air, truck art graffiti on the wall and plastic chairs and tables in the empty plot along with the plot right opposite to the dhaba full of cars with waiting customers just about adds to the ambiance of the place.

Before I go on about Chaiwala, let me point out that right next to it is another eatery by the name of ‘Dandees’ and yet another by the name of ‘Chai Shai’ that has their own artwork and graffiti as well. These two have also gone on to have a booming business here though I don’t think they give ‘Chaiwala much competition (or maybe they do).

Coming back to the point, my recent trip there was to pick a quick order and as usual we landed in the car park/waiting area to be bombarded with waiters from all surrounding eateries but ‘Chaiwala’ itself. Upon asking for the waiter from ‘Chaiwala’ we waited a good 30 minutes (yes we timed it), and finally got fed up only to take the car in the lane right next to it so that someone could see us and serve as well!! Finally when a poor waiter did come he couldn't understand head or tail of what we wanted, but I'll give the guy his due he immediately sent another waiter (well trained) who took our order with a promise to give the take away items within 10 minutes (something that all eateries including this one says but never does!).

One thing before I go on is that Chaiwala's tea aka chai and parathas are phenomenally delicious. It has to offer a wide range of tea and parathas to choose from that are not only mouth-watering but hygienically served as well (I have no idea how clean the kitchen itself is an I don't really care as long as there is good hot food to stuff in the face).

Their Nutella paratha is to die for and the chicken cheese one topped with a cup of doodh patti or Kashmiri chai is simply delish!

We had ended up ordering their plain paratha, hummus paratha, cheese, chicken cheese and anda cheese parathas. By the way they have an amazing variety and I could go one an on but you literally need to go an try for yourself to know. The order took a good half an hour to 45 minutes before it finally reached us. But hey its food, good food so you can compensate on timing a bit I guess if you are a happy go lucky person.

Happily, on my way with the order, we had a blast with our taste buds especially with the tangy spicy cheese an chicken paratha an the hummus one.

The only downside (well 3 downsides) to this place are that firstly the service is slow (almost dead), secondly the ample amount of beggars there to fleece you and thirdly if by chance you sit in the open air area the mosquitoes that come along with the ambiance as well.

On the whole Chaiwala has done quite well and till date I think have managed to maintain their quality and taste as well (or maybe it’s my luck that I get good food whenever I go!).

Rating: 4 stars!

Fallen dreams

She dreamed a dream … a perfect dream

Of roses and rainbows and mystical lore

Where angels ruled and life was true

With honesty and love and faith and trust

Of summers and sunshine and smiles and giggles

Yet Life has a way of playing different riddles

Even dreams turn tables and lodge despair

The thorny ridges rise and evil plays

Where darkness rules which life doesn’t spare

Then comes the lies, the hate and the terror

With darkness and dread in the winter air

With anguish and tears the glittering eyes awake

For all was a dream and dreams always fail

The Bitten One

I’m a super sensitive person who gets upset or sad at every small thing that happens around me. There I said it. I’m not proud of it, but it’s a part of me and I can’t change it. When I love, I love with all my heart and when I hate, trust me even if you go through hell and back I still won’t see your face again. That’s just the way I am.

Friends are people I get attached to and care for just like that malnutrition person, Gollom, from Lord of the Rings who goes around saying “my precious”.  But having said that, if the very same friends turn out to be two faced, blood sucking parasites with nothing better to do in life then to make you feel like you’re the bestie one minute and then the most outcast person the very next, then sorry but you don’t deserve to be a part of me. A part of my life that is. (yes I know the sentence is too long).

A particular set of friends are based on gossiping with malicious in the name of innocent passing of information, about everyone else’s life and happenings not realizing that details shared may be personal or at times hurtful (mark harmful) as well. They tend to have a habit of simply sharing information at the ‘right’ time, so that suspicions can rise and after a series of fights and cold shoulders the friendships frizzle out and die. Lies play a major role too. To show supremacy (and look for jealousy maybe?) lies are spun to such an extent that at the end of the day one never knows what’s right and what’s wrong. But as a person I know says, “such is the way of the Samurai”. Friends are supposed to get you out of your misery not put you back in it. No one is interested in a random XYZ’s break up or make up, professional or personal life. Let them live their life and a nice suggestion; live your own life as well.

When working the biggest lesson that you can gain is that no one is your friend. No one. They don’t care if your dead or alive, happy or sad, angry or agitated. All they want is to live in the fake cloud of happiness that they create and fly by it. As long as they are a part of the popular or cool crowd the skies are sunny dandy for them, but the moment an uncool person comes along, the clouds turn dark and the skies seem to pour cats and dogs on them. I seriously at times wonder what the definition of cool is in their minds? Is being cool going out to renowned expensive eateries, wearing branded wear that half the people can’t even pronounce (Louis Vuitton and Gucci are main examples), or traveling abroad? Heavens forbid if you can’t do that. Or is being cool a part of reflecting your grooming, looks, thinking 'Urdu' is a language that is beneath you, and above all how well you can cuss out in English?

Friends are supposed to stick out with each other, not ignore, have fall outs and ultimately become people who are acquaintances with ‘smirky’ smiles and sarcasm in the name conversations. So this is an not just work based but otherwise as well.

The crux of all this is that stay alone and be at peace, don’t get close to anyone till they are as crazy as you and have the same madness as you have. After all you came alone and you will go alone as well. 

From the Bitten One. 

Off love and heartbreak

If I was the "bestest thing that ever happened" to someone ... then why the lies to ruin what we had? If I was supposed to be so "giving and loving" then why is it that i got no love in return? I never wanted anything but love, care and honesty but all i got was lies, deception and piece by piece of heart break till nothing remained but shattered pieces that left me with nothing but emptiness and pain. Lots and lots of pain. You broke me.
You have made me into a demon. I don't trust, I'm suspicious of everything, I think love is a lie. You proved to me that there is no such thing as love. It's a lie.
You said i made you into a "better person". Why did you change me into the worse possible being alive? Why did you ruin love for me? Why did you make me a lie to all? I lie that I am happy. I'm not. I'm broken and no one can fix me.
A game of deception played not by one but by many that are present. Everyone you knew played a part.
You have made me believe that everyone lies even if they don't. You made me so insecure that I don't have faith in anyone. You made the word marriage a joke. Now I can't trust anyone when they talk of marriage, it makes me unsure of myself. Your flings in the name of friendships with the opposite gender have made me doubt all kinds of friendships. Then you asked me to forgive you.
I guess some part of me has forgiven what you did, but then there is another part of me cannot forget what you did so who do I recover from that? I feel like, love an any other related emotion is fake. The demons you have given me keep telling me everything is a game. Your mind games were well played. So yes you were the first and last person who broke me.


A personal ode to love. 

The night I lost you

Sometimes, like today, I got scared, I needed you today but you weren’t there. I didn’t want to speak of love or marriage. I just wanted your support, but you weren’t there to give it. You said right after dinner I could call yet an hour later you were not bothered. All I needed was a little care. Nothing more nothing less. Your game was more important than my worry. I was upset and crying yet you seemed cold. I was shaking and needed warmth you seemed aloof to my pain. I know I’m not pretty, I’m far from it. I know you have other options better than me, but I know one thing you will never find a girl like me. No one will love and care for you like I have. No one will stand by you like I have. I care for you like my husband, my soul mate, in short my life. I am willing to give my life to be with you, but are you willing to do the same? I doubt it.

Everyone says positivity is important, but you know what I have been hurt so many times that I no longer am happy or positive. I feel like a lost soul. Useless and unwanted. 

One of a kind affair

I am having an affair. There I said it loud and clear. No longer am I going to hide it. The affair is getting to consuming for me. The danger, the thrill, the secret meetings. It gives an adrenaline rush to the bones. The heady feeling when it touches the lips, the sweet and tangy taste, the hot and spicy mood, the crisp and light touch all make me weak in the knees. What can I say? When something is so good looking, almost delicious and yum to look at. The heart tends to skip a beat. The love keeps growing it cannot stop. It just keeps growing. What do I do?

It soothes me, consumes me, gives

me comfort when I need it. The moment there is a tightening in the stomach, it compels me to unwind and feel the peace. To enjoy every bite every nip every lick and every suck. What can I do? I truly love food!

Remembering 2014 ... Welcoming 2015!

With the end of the year and the beginning of a new one, this year has proved to have its own turmoil for me. From love to life, from work to fun it has given me good times and bad times, fun times and sad times all in a basket of emotions that if not have matured me, have definitely given me lessons to from.

I have laughed, fought, cried, smiled, dreamt, feared, and above all have learnt to honor life for what it’s worth. The year began with domestic trips and a new place of employment that I came to love (with its ups and downs and lack of sparks in me! :D). It bought on new friends and some renewed owns too!  It also bought along a line of friends that became acquaintances followed by becoming strangers in my life. 

To my friends who have stuck on with me, I love you all, you’re the best people in my life cause you have clearly understood me and have decided to be in my life no matter what! Be it a simple cup of tea, ice cream rounds, food street rounds, running around all of Lahore or road trips, you guys are the glue I need to keep me sticky and happy!

This year I loved again and loved with all my heart, and will love till the very end of time for sure. From a simple poke to a bond stronger than friends, you’re a pillar that I can always lean on for support no matter what. With fights and forgiveness, understanding and care, at times the hurt and despair you have become life and one that means the world to me and for the next year and years to come. You are life for me a part of my soul that I can’t afford to lose.

I lost loved ones, towards the end of the year, words cannot express how I feel and how much I miss you. The secret trips to the café at the corner, our round up trips to itwar bazaar, the late night bitching sessions, the fights and the advice. I can’t believe your gone.

To my mother who has been there for me through thick and thin, I hope you remain so for the rest of my life, silently watching over me and guiding me. You bear my tantrums better than anyone else and wipe my tears when it feels like the world has ended for me.

To my sisters, close and far, and their little ones, the movies together, the gossip sessions, the advice shared and the fact that for you guys I’m still the baby. I love you all!

The last day, that is today, and new found respect for my dad. The support he shared with me today made me feel stronger than ever before. Our relation has its own little space where we fight more that talk, but you have and always will be someone I love and adore.

Now for the year 2015. I welcome you with open arms. I hope you turn out to be even better than the last with new lessons (good ones) and news that is full of happiness, joy and lots and lots of love! I want to see prosperity, happiness and eagerness for each new day as it rolls from tomorrow onwards. I want it to be my year! I’m no mother Teresa but I want happiness for all and prosperity for the one I love and care about with a pray that only the very best is given.

Welcome 2015.