Dear Chai Shai,
They say you never forget your first. I know I definitely won’t forget my first pocket-friendly, low-budget food joint within the hallowed Post-Its covered mess walls. Your large Beatles’ cover ascribed to you an air of sophistication that never translated into your food. But god, was it a cheap life-saver when I couldn’t afford to stand in line at Fuel Zone, or skipped meals while studying during finals’ week.
I never gave you much credit at the beginning. Between the shiny Subway logo and flashy Hunger Cycle menus, I guess I forgot to pay attention to what truly mattered: affordability. And you were the most reasonable of them all. By the time I realised it, life took a turn, the administration snatched you from us and I had to watch you get destroyed, tile by tile, in front of my eyes. There have been less harrowing events to which I have been a witness than watching you disappear, with tears in my eyes, a broken heart and a trembling wallet.
You know, I loved your food displays. The chocolate cupcake with copious amounts of cream and icing and a Hello Kitty pink wrapper was my favourite. The chicken and paneer sandwiches that were almost always falling apart. The Maggi you had on display but refused to let me buy for reasons unknown. I will never forget the number of Diet Cokes and Pepsis my roommate and I bought from you after dinner. The number of friends I have bonded with, waiting at your counter for our orders and the phone numbers that I exchanged will always be special to me.
You were glorious with your food machines and toasters and fridge and displays, but now I have to walk past your deathbed, while “it” stands where you once stood. Out of respect for you, I haven’t so much as looked it in the face. And I refuse to dignify it by calling it by name.
The truth is, you’re gone and after your years of service, you deserved better than the farewell they gave you. Your legacy will live on, in every cheese sandwich I bite into, every cutting chai I drink and every chocolate cupcake with a pink wrapper I will lay my eyes on. I hope wherever you are, you’re making profits. You will always be my number three.
The Beatles’ once said, “Life goes on within you or without you,” and I think it’s time we all learn to live on without you.
Thank you for everything
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