They had not spoken in years. Not during holidays. Not even on birthdays. What once was a close-knit family had crumbled into silence. Too many arguments had piled up. Too many words had been said and never taken back. Anger had replaced affection. Pride had shut the doors of communication.
The parents stayed in their old home. The two brothers had moved out long ago. One had left the country. The other had simply drifted away. No one knew when it all truly broke. Maybe it was during that loud argument in the living room. Maybe it was the day one walked out without turning back. Time has passed, but the wounds remain fresh.
It started with a casual message from a cousin. A simple plan for dinner. Nothing formal. No expectations. “Let’s just eat together,” she had said. She had booked a table at a cosy Indian restaurant nearby—Tikka Nation. Everyone had their doubts. Would they come? Would they sit together without more arguments?
But the table was booked. The plates were set. The atmosphere inside Tikka Nation felt warm and inviting. The aroma of spices filled the air. The sizzle of the tandoor made the experience even more nostalgic. Somehow, despite everything, they all showed up.
Nobody knew what to say. The silence felt heavy. Waiters came and went. The menus were passed around with awkward hands. The cousin ordered some favorites for the table. A platter of chicken seekh kebab arrived first. The meat was juicy. The spices were just right. One of the brothers nodded slightly. “This is exactly how Dad used to like it,” he said.
That small sentence opened a tiny door. Their mother smiled faintly. The father looked down but stayed quiet. Then came the lamb seekh kebab, followed by a fragrant bowl of biryani. Everyone reached out to taste. Slowly, the tension began to melt. Shared memories started surfacing through bites and flavors.
Just as the mood began to ease, a waiter placed a large, steaming bowl at the center of the table. The butter chicken glistened under the soft lights. The smell was rich—creamy tomato, buttery goodness, tender chunks of chicken. The naan basket followed. Warm, soft, and ready to scoop.
One brother scooped a portion onto his plate. He passed the bowl to his mother. She smiled for the first time in years. “He used to fight over the last piece,” she said, pointing at the younger son. They all laughed softly. Not forced. Not sarcastic. Just real, soft laughter.
With every bite, they travelled back in time. The younger days flashed through their minds. Birthday parties with biryani and laughter. Sunday lunches with Indian seekh kebabs and gossip. The butter chicken, somehow, reminded them of what they had lost—and what they could still have.
Conversations began to flow. They talked about work. They asked about travel. They even joked about who had put on weight. It was not perfect, but it was progress. Words filled the spaces that silence once occupied. Forgiveness found its place next to every plate.
It was not about the butter chicken alone. It was about what it represented. Comfort. Nostalgia. The warmth of home. Tikka Nation had brought more than just food to the table. It offered a second chance. The food sparked a connection. The shared love for flavor reminded them of their shared love for each other.
No one planned for this dinner to fix things. But somehow, it started the healing. The flavors were familiar. The dishes were their old favorites. The emotions felt honest. Each dish told a story. Each bite broke down a little more of the walls they had built.
By the end of the dinner, no one wanted to leave. They ordered another round of chicken seekh kebabs. They talked about planning a family lunch the next weekend. The father suggested trying the biryani next time. The brothers shared a laugh—this time without any bitterness.
The table was still the same as before. But the people around it were slowly coming back to each other and bonding over a lovely meal. Food had done what time could not. It had softened hearts. It had made space for conversation. It had sparked hope.
That night changed something unspoken. No one apologised profusely. No one spoke with emotion. However, a silent understanding prevailed. a common sense that this meal had significance. The door had been opened by food. They had to continue walking through it now. Satisfied, the cousin grinned.
The family felt a little closer and lighter when they left the table. They were aware that they would cross paths again, voluntarily rather than out of duty. Perhaps over lamb seekh kebabs or any other Indian dish the next time. Perhaps over some more of that famous butter chicken or some paneer tikka masala and jeera rice.
Tikka Nation offers more than just mouth watering Indian food. There are foods that unite people from all walks of life. Every dish, from rich biryanis and creamy butter chicken to flavourful Indian seekh kebabs, has a backstory. There are numerous locations of the Indian restaurant Tikka Nation throughout the United Kingdom.
Download the Tikka Nation mobile app and find your nearest location. Then enjoy a filling Indian meal with your loved ones by making a reservation for a table or ordering online for delivery right to your door. Our menu celebrates the wide variety of Indian cuisine. We serve delectable tikkas, cosy street food, and hot meals. If you want to taste India's soul in every bite, Tikka Nation is the place to go.
Earn £30 when you register with us and redeem 10% of this while ordering food on our Platform
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