Where Did My Salary Go? Into the Belly of Bliss

If someone ever interrogates me with the classic question, “Where did your salary vanish this month?” — I’ll confidently point to my satisfied stomach and say, “On food, of course!”

Yes, clothes fade, gadgets get outdated, but memories made over a plate of sizzling kebabs or creamy pasta last forever — or at least until the next craving kicks in. My husband and I, certified foodies with zero guilt, have turned every city we’ve lived in into our personal restaurant checklist. From shady street stalls serving heavenly momos to posh cafes with confusing cutlery, we’ve done it all. Culinary curiosity has no budget limit, only taste benchmarks.

I honestly can’t remember the most expensive meal we’ve had — not because it wasn’t memorable, but because when food is good, money feels like a mere condiment. “Good food is not a cost, it’s an investment in serotonin,” I once told my bank account, which did not agree.

We’ve shelled out thousands not on labels but on ladles — bowls of soups, towers of biryani, desserts with names longer than my resume. And let’s not forget, the post-meal walks where we justify our calories and expenses with fake fitness promises. “This cheesecake will be balanced out by walking from the parking lot,” we lied.

But you see, food isn’t just about filling the tummy. It’s about filling moments. About conversations over chaat, giggles over golgappas, and anniversaries celebrated with sizzling sizzlers.

Thought to ponder:
You may forget what someone wore or said, but you’ll never forget the taste of that perfectly spiced curry or the joy of sharing fries without fighting over the last one.

So, if you ask me again — was it worth it? Every bite. Every rupee. Every burp.