Alvida Espresso

Espresso or Cappuccino 

Life comes across in torrents of affairs filled with twists and turns. I have had torrid affairs with few things, chiefly with; my wife, single malt, Mumbai city, and Espresso coffee. Some years back I divorced 10 years old affairs with espresso coffee for a reason and replaced it with Cappuccino. 

My tryst with espresso coffee has a joyous and poignant backdrop. Robert Kuperi, - God bless his soul - a Dutchman, an officer & gentleman, and a dear friend was behind this tryst. Robert and I became friends the day we began working in the same office, sitting in adjoining rooms. He had a cute puppy-like espresso maker in his room. One fine day he invited me to taste espresso - my first in 55 years. The bitterness of taste was not an issue for someone who had imbibed gallons of single malt whiskey. But the effect was electric. Suddenly I began seeing things clearly after a first shot. My post-lunch second shot made my brain vibrate, and I was flying high with the third shot consumed before heading home. 

Robert and I traveled the world together. The Hague, his hometown was always first to stop via Amsterdam, then on to London, Lyndhurst-Hampshire, Tee side, Paris, Munich, Bloomfield NJ, Houston, TX, Chicago, IL, and always return journey via The Hague, enjoying the warmth of his hospitality in his home. I always stayed in a quaint hotel Des Indes, at Lange Voorhout in The Hague city center. 

Favorite part of our travels was always good food, great drinks, and enlightening conversations about life and limbs, all laced with espresso, red wine, single malt for me, and G&T for him. We refused to fly any airlines that did not serve good coffee and wines. 

Robert and I separated at a point when he moved to Dubai. I got a heart-wrenching call from him from the hospital bed in The Hague. He was biding farewell forever, having diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. He wanted to tell me he is leaving his trusted old espresso maker for me. 

I think of Robert every day at 11 a.m. when my wife I have the coffee from that machine. 

In years since we parted, my tryst with espresso continued. I became a familiar sight at coffee shops in Bandra. On our travel here or overseas, our first stop in the morning is always to look for a quaint coffee shop. 

My retirement has accentuated the tradition and pleasure of having mid-morning coffee sessions with my wife. Coffee is not just caffeine for me. It is a joy derived from my friendship with Robert. 

On a rainy day, I am not averse to add a shot of Napoleon cognac in my coffee, recalling an adage “A man got to live”.

Comments

  1. Revealer20 January 2019 at 23:03

    Beautiful tale of friendship, reminding how little things can play a significant role reminding us about the past and good ol' times!

    ReplyDelete

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