A Plate of Chotpoti and the Taste of Friendship।।

Hello dear friends,
I hope you all are doing well and spending a beautiful life with your loved ones. I wish you all happiness and peace.

Sometimes, the best moments in life come unexpectedly—without any plan or preparation. I usually avoid eating street food like fuchka, chotpoti, or bhel puri. The main reason is hygiene. We often hear that these foods are prepared with reused oil, handled carelessly, and exposed to dust and pollution. Doctors frequently warn us to stay away from such foods because they can cause stomach infections, jaundice, or other health problems. For that reason, I generally prefer to stay away from street food, no matter how tempting it looks.

But life doesn’t always follow our plans!
Yesterday, after finishing work, I met a few of my old colleagues on my way home. They used to work with us before, and meeting them after a long time brought back a lot of memories. While chatting, one of them suddenly said, “Let’s have some chotpoti!” At first, I hesitated. I wasn’t really in the mood, and I knew it wasn’t healthy. But when you’re surrounded by friends, it’s hard to say no. Finally, I gave in and decided to join them.

We stopped at a small roadside restaurant. It wasn’t fancy, but the aroma coming from the stall was simply irresistible. On the counter, there were bowls of chickpeas, mashed potatoes, onions, chilies, coriander leaves, and spicy tamarind water — all perfectly arranged. The vendor started preparing the chotpoti with great enthusiasm.

Within minutes, four plates of hot and colorful chotpoti were served. Each plate had slices of boiled eggs on top, sprinkled with coriander leaves and green chilies. The presentation itself was mouth-watering. I took my first bite — and honestly, it tasted amazing! The perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and tangy flavor instantly lifted my mood. For a moment, I forgot all my concerns about hygiene and health.

We kept chatting, laughing, and sharing stories from the old days. The evening turned into one of those rare, refreshing moments of friendship. Sometimes, it’s not about what you eat, but with whom you share it. Sitting there, I realized how food can connect hearts and revive old bonds.

Still, deep inside, I couldn’t ignore the fact that street food isn’t the healthiest choice. The oil, the water, the open-air cooking — all have their risks. So, while enjoying the moment, I promised myself, “This is just for today — not a habit.”

That small experience reminded me of something valuable: life isn’t only about staying cautious; it’s also about cherishing little joys. When shared with friends, even a simple plate of chotpoti can turn into a beautiful memory.

At the end of the day, chotpoti was more than just food — it was a taste of friendship, laughter, and nostalgia. Of course, we should stay careful about what we eat, but we shouldn’t forget to live and connect either.

Maybe someday, when we meet again, we’ll talk about this very evening “Remember that day when we sat by the roadside and had chotpoti together?” Moments like these make life truly flavorful.