A Well-Brewed Elixir
SUSHMITHA CHENNURI
I was a naive seven-year-old when I first understood the concept of ‘addiction’.
My parents and I were on a road trip and had to camp for the night in a small, nondescript town in Andhra.
My picky Mumma was initially pleased with our accommodation, but her satisfaction vanished the moment she realized there was no coffee, nor any place nearby to get some.
That day, I had the privilege of meeting her most irascible version for the first time. For the next few hours of our drive, she was a ‘cranky zombie’ (as my dad described), her eyes frantically scanning the roadside for a coffee halt while she cursed his poor planning.
Finally, we found an eatery that served hot beverages. I vividly remember the excitement in her eyes when the waiter placed her ‘cup of joy’ on the table. She cradled the cup in her palms as if it meant the world to her, took a deep sniff, and then a hurried sip. Every inch of her face lit up in a perfectly choreographed transformation. Minutes later, she was back to her usual calm, composed, and happy self.
I was fascinated by this magical potion. When I begged to try it, my mother refused; until weeks later, when she finally gave in to my persistence. My excitement knew no bounds until that first sip turned it into pure disappointment.
‘For this? For this yucky-tasting thing?’, I thought, silently judging her.
Over a decade later, the never-ending assignments of law school and all-nighters before exams had me relying on caffeinated drinks for energy and focus. Eventually, calorie concerns steered me toward coffee. Sip by sip, I began to appreciate the sweetness that followed the bitter notes, much like the most demanding, difficult, yet rewarding tasks in life.
One cup at a time, I became a premium member of the coffee cult without even realizing it. Now, decades after that first encounter, coffee feels like a warm hug on a cold, rainy day.
It’s my secret motivation on ‘I just can’t do this anymore’ workdays, the superpower that gets me through mind-numbing conversations.
The aroma of a perfectly brewed filter coffee instantly transports me to the comfort of home and my mom. I wouldn’t be exaggerating to say it’s often the one thing I truly look forward to.
Apologies to Amma for my childhood judgment. If it’s any redemption, I, too, am now a ‘cranky zombie’ without my perfect fix. And just like her, my face lights up in that same familiar way every time I inhale the scent of a well-brewed elixir.
Sushmitha Chennuri, is from Hyderabad. She is passionate about solving complex challenges involving people and processes.
Known for her “Tinker Bell” spirit, she focuses on improving organizational health and fostering collaboration.
Outside of work, she enjoys unwinding by the sea with a cup of coffee.
Illustration done by Annabel Fathima.
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