Maggie and Me!

My fondness towards Maggie dates back to the oldest memories I have, as a kid living in Nagpur, with my parents, my mum would often make Maggie on Saturday afternoons after returning early from work. But as we moved in with my paternal grandparents, for many reasons this routine broke...my grandpa strongly believed to eat healthy food, following a disciplined life, studying, waking up early, exercising etc... He would often suggest that I avoid Maggie for all the good reasons, but the 10-year-old me could hardly comprehend why he wld say so...and hence came into initiation Mission Maggie: Every time I was home and my grandpa wasn't, my grandma would make Maggie for me. The 5 rupee Chotu Maggie was the perfect evening snack. After having it, I would try to erase every evidence of its happening, but my grandpa was way smart and sharp to not make a guess about these events back home.

With time, Grandpa realized my fondness for Maggie, and he would often make it for me.... usually on those days when I was in my room, studying for hours at a time. He was an excellent chef, the Maggie he would cook was heavenly, and every time I would ask him for his recipe, he would smile it off. Perhaps making Maggie or any of my favourite foods was his way of showing his affection....

Over the years, my relationship with my grandparents grew stronger than a diamond and grander than the Himalayas....with both parents at work, me my aaji, aaba and Sammy, we would have our own everyday adventures! Those were my Golden days ....

My grandpa passed away in 2021. I was shattered, having lost both my grandparents so soon. Although in their 90s, I hadn't got enough of their company.

We have a tradition where, when someone dear to us passes away, we leave a food item in their memory, for a year's duration. I decided to leave Maggie for a year. Everyone around knew of my obsession towards Maggie, but very few knew my affection towards my dear grandpa.

It's been more than two years since his passing away, and I haven't had Maggie since. With him has gone all my affection and appetite for Maggie...I often cook it for my mum or friends, but I have completely lost any liking for it.

Although Maggie for me was what food was for Pavlov's dog, where even the slightest aroma of Maggie would salivate my mouth, Now I don't feel anything, no sences are triggered when Maggie's around. It's now a mere instant noodle brand. Perhaps the sentiments linked to Maggie are soo soo strong that It has overpowered my other senses.

I don't think I will ever consume this delicacy, which was once my absolute favourite. There are no regrets or nostalgia or sadness, I believe I have left behind that part of me and for good. I am glad I could follow the tradition and make such a choice. I am happy that I am living my life by following his ideals, and living up to his expectations and am grateful that I could achieve things that he wished for me to achieve.... alas I am who I am because of my grandparents.

Shaivi Kant

Mumbai, July 2023