As my older teen and I watch an episode of Never Have I Ever, there comes a scene where Devi and Paxton are eating pasta and having a conversation. I won’t get into details of the episode. But my daughter is also sitting with her pasta in front of the screen. And makes this observation – “I don’t think she has even touched her pasta”.

I proudly inform her that she is the carefully curated soul chosen by the universe to carry both our genepools ahead. The ones where people are serious about food. Dates, love and romance always feel better when the tummy is full. It is a natural mood enhancer. We both share a laugh.

Reminds me of so zillion times when the bitter half and I have polished all food on our plates in 20 minutes flat and walked out of a restaurant wondering what other people do. Staring away into each other’s eyes, tasting the wine, smelling rose and making sure everything is fine, while the piping hot and the hopefully delectable food grows cold begging to be eaten. My only problem, what to talk about when the tummy is growling, the aroma around salivates your mouth and the only thought on your mind is food!

If I have ever felt any romance, it is with food and food alone. Speaking of which, we had lunch at Bikanerwala. We selected the Navratri thali. I cannot begin to tell you how delcious it was. But more than the thali, I was amazed by the crowded place at 1.30 in the afternoon. Not just that, Bollywood and Punjabi musc took turns in trying their best at entertaining us. Between great food and the only corner at Changi airport that has no aircon, the music become audible more and more as my satiety levels started upping. And in those moments, I felt like I was sitting at some Dhaba by the highway, in the north of India. Only Hindi made it to my ears. The food and people made sure there were zero traces of any Singaporean elements to this mix.

From the marigold garlands that did up all parts of the cabinets to the mithai display in glass cooling cabinets, I was only an inch away from a Halwai in India. So twenty minutes later, as we walked out, the glass partition showing into the alley after immigration was the first reminder, we were in Singapore.

P.S. SOme experiences teleport us into a time and place deeply rooted in our hearts. I think lunch this afternoon was one of the best things that happened to us.