Sweet Khaaram Chameleon

We are all the same species—with a pair of hands and legs. We eat with our hands, we think with our minds, and we call ourselves intelligent beings. This is the bird’s-eye view. But when you come closer, you’ll notice that within this single “species,” there are curious sub-species—human-like shapes leaning more towards jackfruit, chameleon, or chilli. There are many others, of course, but these three fascinate me the most.

Jackfruits are easily encountered. They take their own sweet time to ripen. Until then, they give no hint, except for pricking you if you wander too close. But when the time is right, they cannot hide their presence. They announce themselves boldly: an aroma that is irresistible to many, repulsive to a few. And once you taste them—sweet, rich, and unforgettable—you almost forget the scratches and pricks they gave you earlier. Jackfruits are endlessly resourceful; flesh for a feast one day, seeds for a snack the next. So do not dismiss them too soon. Who knows! you might crave one of their gifts someday. How many jackfruits can you spot around you?

And then we have the chameleons. Oh, we’ve all been there—jaw dropped, eyes wide, wondering if we just saw them change shades in real time. Chameleons like my complexion when it serves them. And you can’t exactly disagree if one sidles up to you with compliments. But let’s be honest. They are sly creatures. Omnipresent. Whether in a city flat, a rural courtyard, or a bustling corporate office, they thrive everywhere. Sometimes they feast on gossip for breakfast but will happily indulge in sugar-coated flattery when it suits them. They can devour your confidence for lunch, leaving no crumbs behind. Their family tree is vast, and their networking unmatched—you’ll likely find a representative in every other home. Their two great talents? Being mean, and being too nice when it helps tick off their to-do list. They are, ironically, the simplest beings who complicate the world the most.

Chillies are another story altogether—an army of the ever-energetic, ever-adored, and occasionally feared. They thrive on heat, intensity, and the thrill of leaving a sting. Spend too much time with them, and you’ll either be in tears or addicted for life. They enter a room and instantly alter its temperature, sometimes in the form of sharp wit, sometimes as unfiltered truth, and sometimes as plain old temper. But here’s the thing—life without them can feel bland. They bring colour to the plate, a rush to the senses, and a reminder that comfort zones are overrated.

If we ponder, each of us has crossed paths with these jackfruits, chameleons, and chillies. Sometimes we tolerate them, sometimes we treasure them, and sometimes we run in the opposite direction. They keep the human jungle noisy, unpredictable, and oddly fascinating. The real challenge is to navigate it without losing your own flavor. 

Until next week, may your world be just spicy enough to keep you awake, sweet enough to keep you smiling, and with chameleons so rare they feel like an endangered species.